Affordable 4th of July Ideas to Make Your Holiday a Blast

Make this Independence Day a blast with these 4th of July ideas! From fun activities to festive treats and everything in between, we’ll help you celebrate in style while saving money in the process.

There’s no need to bust the budget to throw a rocking’ 4th of July celebration. We’ll help you celebrate America in a BIG way on a small budget. We guarantee you won’t be missing out on anything and you WON’T be sacrificing your financial goals, either!

*Note: When you click the links in this post, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Have a blast with the whole family, celebrating America’s birthday the Fun Cheap or Free way! From affordable party foods for your star-spangled spread to cheap (but still snazzy!) decorations, they’ll light the fireworks for this one.

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4TH OF JULY FOOD IDEAS

Nothing says 4th of July like an all-American spread of patriotic eats and treats! We’ll show you how to serve more for less!

• Host a B.Y.O.M. BBQ – Cooking out on the 4th of July is traditional, but meat isn’t cheap! Instead of trying to provide it all, have each guest bring their own, ready to toss on the grill, so you can focus on other things.
• Baked Mac ‘n Cheese Cups – Make your recipe, then bake it in sturdy cupcake liners for a portion-controlled serving. This ensures there is enough to go around!
• Deviled Eggs – These pack a protein punch for CHEAP! Add some food dye to make them patriotic, too! 
• Homemade Salsa – Use white and blue corn chips.
• American Flag Fruit and Cheese Tray – Skip the pricy store-bought trays and make your own for way less. Use blueberries, red berries, and white cheese cubes to make it look like the flag!
• Hot Dog Bar – Roast your own! Perfect for a party with a bonfire.
• Patriotic Fruit Infused Water – Add blueberries and sliced strawberries to your water in a clear dispenser for a patriotic and delicious twist.

If you’re planning a big bash and need a little more help with how to serve a crowd on the cheap, check out this helpful post for all the goods!

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4TH OF JULY TREATS AND DESSERTS

Celebrate the sweetness of freedom with these tasty 4th of July treats and desserts!

• Angel Food Kabobs – Cut angel food cake into cubes and stick them on a skewer alternating with strawberry slices and blueberries.
• Homemade Popsicles – They’re so easy and so fun for the kids.
• White Chocolate Covered Pretzels – All you need are pretzels, white baker’s chocolate, and some red, white, and blue sprinkles!
• Oreo Pops – This one is always a favorite.
• Red White and Blue Cupcakes in a Jar – So cute!
• Rice Crispy Treats – Top with sprinkles and cut into stars for some added patriotism.
• Classic Cherry Pie – Does it get more American than this?
• Berries and Whipped Cream – A patriotic dessert without all the guilt!

The food serves as both food AND decoration. Double whammy! Put that red, white, and blue goodness out on display for everyone to see as they mingle.

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4TH OF JULY DECORATION IDEAS

It IS possible to decorate for a 4th of July celebration without spending too much money OR being crafty. (We see you, non-crafty mama!) We’ll show you how!

• Get a Coloring Tablecloth – This doubles as decoration and a fun activity for the kids! Not to shabby for under $10!
• Make Toilet Paper Roll Rockets – Get the kids in on this one and let them decorate the tubes. Put them on popsicle sticks and stick them in mason jars of rice for cheap centerpieces.
• Make Paper Chains – Give the kids red, white, and blue paper and let them handle this one, too. (Thanks, kids!) Garland for pennies!
• Put Flowers in Mason Jars – Forget the pre-arranged flowers and make your own for cheap. Grab carnations (they are sooooo cheap!) and divide between mason jars for cute decorations. Add a ribbon if you’re feeling crafty, but it’s not required!
• Use Food as Decor – There is no need to spend money on tons of red, white, and blue decorations if your food table will serve that purpose, too!
• Shop the Dollar Tree – They have lots of patriotic decor for CHEAP! Get table cloths, plasticware, and more for almost nothing.
• Use Free Online Printables – There are TONS of 4th of July decor printables online for free. All you have to do is search, print, and voila!
• Decorate Yourself – Grab some temporary tattoos and body glitter, and you’ve got yourself some walking decorations that will make everyone feel more festive. And don’t forget these patriotic bead necklaces!

Use these great 4th of July decoration ideas for a bash you’ll never forget, and your wallet didn’t even know you had!

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PATRIOTIC GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

Let the fun begin with these 4th of July games and activities:

• Giant Tic Tac Toe – Paint Xs and Os made from cardboard. Use string in the yard to create your board!
• Back Yard Slip n Slide – You don’t need anything fancy—a cheap plastic tarp will do.
• Tin Can Toss – Paint old cans red, white and blue. Set them up and see how many you can knock down with the ball!
• Sack Race – Find cheap pillowcases at the dollar store.
• Beach Ball – Whether you’re in the pool or on the lawn, a beach ball never gets old! 
• Watch Free Fireworks – Many towns put on a free fireworks show for the community. If not, take a country drive outside the city limits after dark!
• Yard Twister – Paint red, white, and blue circles in the yard and get active.
• Make a Bonfire – Anyone else thinking s’mores!?
• Water Balloons – What could be better on a hot summer day? And with these red, white, and blue Bunch o Balloons, it’s never been easier. 
• United States Trivia – Bring a list of questions and see who can get the most right
• Photo Backdrop – Use a cheap tablecloth or homemade garland for a cheap selfie station.
• Have a “NO” Word – For example, it could be the word “flag” or “red.” Every time someone is caught saying the “NO” word, they must recite the Pledge of Allegiance!

You can get more ideas for fun outdoor activities in this blog post! If you have other favorite 4th of July activities, feel free to share in the comments!

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This holiday will be one full of fun and memories with these affordable 4th of July ideas! Have a blast (pun intended!) all while keeping the budget in check. Now, let’s get to celebrating! What is your favorite way to celebrate this patriotic holiday? Share with us in the comments below!

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• Unplug from technology and recharge with these tips and make the most of your time with your family!

Have a BLAST!