The 4th of July is the best holiday to spend under the sun with family and friends around the swimming pool! Throwing a good 4th of July party doesn’t have to be difficult and with a little planning and preparation you can have your guests feeling patriotic and having a blast eating BBQ and playing games by the pool.

We came up with a few ideas and reminders to help you maximize your 4th of July pool party.

1. Patriotic Decorations

When it comes to patriotic decorations, it’s all about stars and stripes, and of course red, white, and blue.

You don’t have to break the bank to make your backyard festive and patriotic this 4th of July. Common disposable paper products are already the right colors.

Disposable Utensils

Famously known for their red and blue plastic cups also make plates and napkins are white.

You don’t have to go out of your way to find these products and when you arrange them together they are patriotic.

Mason Jars

Mason jars make a great holder for utensils, sparklers, or anything else you set out during your party. On their own mason jars feel very American, but you can take it a step further by painting them with red, white and blue stars and stripes.

Balloons

You don’t have to break the bank to really make a decorative and fun statement that both children and adults will enjoy.

Filling your swimming pool with red, white and blue balloons both looks nice and are fun for kids swimming in the pool. Water balloons are more on the fun side than decorative, but they are also a lot of fun for kids, teens, and the young at heart.

Bandanas

An inexpensive and versatile option is bandanas.  Wrap silverware, hang from a line, use as placemats, or any other idea you can dream of and you have a fun, summery decoration at your party.

2. Patriotic Food

Some foods like apple pie, are patriotic because they are staples of American history, while other foods can be fun and Patriotic just because they are red, white and blue.

Ice Cream Bar

Ice cream is one of the best summertime dessert and it goes perfectly with the 4th of July and it’s also very easy to make it look fun and Patriotic. You can’t go wrong with vanilla ice cream with red and blue sprinkles on top, or if you want to opt for healthier toppings, blueberries and strawberries are a great addition.

If you aren’t a fan of vanilla or just want to have other options then add whipped cream to either sets of toppings and you’ve got your red, white and blue.  Setting up an ice cream bar is a fun and decorative way to let your guests build their own tasty desserts.

Burgers

Not everything needs to be red, white, and blue, and hamburgers and hotdogs are two of them. Grilling burgers and dogs by the pool is about as American as it gets and what most people expect on the 4th of July.

If you’re responsible for the food and grill, take the easy route and don’t overthink this one, burgers and dogs are a timeless classic that most everyone loves.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a delicious summertime favorite for how refreshing it is.

Adults and children alike won’t be disappointed to see watermelon being served.  If you’re feeling creative, save one and carve a fun design into it to leave on display. With a sharp knife or veggie peeler and a little concentration you can really make a fun and patriotic statement on your food table.

3. Party Games

Competition is as American as apple pie and Independence Day is the perfect time to embrace this spirit with pool and yard games.

Yard Games

Cornhole is always a fan favorite, but a few other yard games growing in popularity include ladder golf, Kan Jam, horseshoes, and bocce. Set up your games before guests arrive so they can begin enjoying them immediately and can be used as an icebreaker if all your guests don’t know each other.

Pool Games

Pools are fun and relaxing enough to enjoy without pool games, but who doesn’t love team competition in the water. Basketball and volleyball are 2 classics that get many people involved and will help everyone work up a healthy appetite. If you are setting up your basketball hoop or volleyball net for the first time in a while, make sure to properly weigh them down and secure them to the ground so everyone can safely enjoy the games. Read and follow all manufacturer instructions thoroughly.

Other Tips

You don’t have to break the bank to throw a great 4th of July party, recycle old decorations whenever possible. Dig into those closets, you might be surprised to find decorations that work for a 4th of July celebration.

Lots of Christmas decorations are red, or you might have just hosted a Memorial Day party, save time and money by reusing decorations whenever you can.

Anything with stars and stripes or is red, white, and blue can be used in some way, shape or form. Get creative with table cloths, candles, table spreads, are more.

If you have sparklers and fireworks, make sure they are legal for your state and that everyone takes proper precautions when handling.

Most of all, have fun and enjoy the day off from work!