4th of July Party Ideas and Tips
Do you needs some ideas on how to entertain your guests and their kids?
Do you needs some suggestions on what to cook?
Do you want to have a party and have no idea what to do?
if so I’ve got some tips for you…
My first tip is, well its more of a question to you, What do you think everyone does on the 4th of July?
you guessed …. They COOK OUT…
don’t try to be different, cooking out is the American thing to do.
Things to cook or serve include:
Chips
Pretzels
Nachos and cheese
Hot Dogs (Veggies Dogs for the vegetarians you love)
Hamburgers (Veggie burgers)
Chicken patties
Grilled zucchini
Grilled squash
Potato salad (german, italian and or american)
Macaroni Salad
Pasta Salad
Chick Pea Salad
Tossed Salad
Cupcakes (see recipe below)
Cookies
Ice Cream
Cake
Popsicles
Pie
After you have the food squared away or maybe before your going to want to have some kind of entertainment. If you have a pool in your yard you are all set, if not try some of these…
GAMES for KIDS (and adults too)
to cool every one off try having a Patriotic Water Balloon Toss
All you need to do is fill up some red, white & blue water balloons; tie off the ends; then tie strands of red, white and blue ribbons to the openings for streamers. )i would have these prepared and ready to go)
Have your guests, aka the Kids line up into two equal lines. Space the lines approximately 10-15 feet apart (maybe a few feet closer if only younger children are playing) then have each person stretch out their arms and spread out horizontally until only their fingertips can touch.
Once the lines are formed and the players are spread out, the players standing straight across from one another will become partners in the water balloon toss. Hand out one water balloon to each of the players on one side and then let the tossing begin!
If you have the space in your yard, set up a volley ball or badminton net, or start a game of Dodge ball, basketball (if you have a hoop) or soccer. Also if you can play some music, classic rock and or a top 40 hits of the 80’s,90’s and now radio station should have songs to please everyone.
After all of these games everyone will be hungry for desert, or at least that’s the idea… try making some Red, White & Blue Chocolate Cupcakes
to make these you will need
2 c Sugar
1 3/4 c All-purpose flour
3/4 c Hershey’s cocoa or hershey’s european style cocoa
1 1/2 ts Baking powder
1 1/2 ts Baking soda
1 ts Salt
2 Eggs
1 c Milk
1/2 c Vegetable oil
2 ts Vanilla extract
1 c Boiling water
and for the Vanilla Butter cream Frosting
5 T butter or margarine
4 c powdered sugar
1/4 c milk
1 t vanilla extract
Fresh blueberries and strawberries
first heat oven to 350 F, then line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups.
In large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (don’t worry the batter will be very thin, its ok)
after its all mixed, fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter.
Bake them for about 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to wire rack or on top of the stove or on the counter. Cool completely, this should take about 1 hour or so.
While the cupcakes are cooling make the Vanilla Butter cream Frosting:
In medium bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until frosting is of spreading consistency. Makes about 2 cups of frosting.
After they are cooled you will want to frost the cupcakes with Vanilla Butter cream Frosting and then garnish with blueberries and strawberries.
MOST of ALL have FUN and stay safe…
