Right in the middle of summer, there’s a holiday we all look forward to: the Fourth of July! It’s a special day to celebrate our country’s independence with family, food, and fun.
From backyard cookouts to fireworks lighting up the sky, there are so many ways to enjoy this day. Maybe you’ll eat Bomb Pops in matching red, white, and blue pajamas, relax by the pool with a cool drink, wave sparklers around after dark, or make your own fun holiday meal. However you celebrate, the most important thing is that everyone—from the youngest kids to the grown-ups—is having a great time. Fireworks are totally optional!
One fun way to get into the spirit is by making tasty treats together. Even the little ones can help! With a few easy, kid-friendly recipes, your whole family can enjoy a day full of yummy fun.
Ready to make some patriotic snacks with your kids? Keep reading for delicious ideas everyone can help create—like red, white, and blue fruit kabobs or star-shaped mini pies!
Star-Spangled Ice Cream Sammies
What You’ll Need:
- Big pre-baked cookies
- Vanilla ice cream
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles
- Mini chocolate chips
Who doesn’t love an ice cream sandwich? No matter how old you are, they always feel like a special treat. These fun and tasty sandwiches are perfect for the Fourth of July—and even better, kids can help make them!
To keep things easy, grab a pack of big cookies from the store’s bakery section. You’ll also need your favorite vanilla ice cream, some red, white, and blue sprinkles, and mini chocolate chips.
Let the ice cream sit out for a few minutes so it softens a little. Then, lay the cookies flat on the table. Have your kids scoop a big spoonful of ice cream onto the flat side of one cookie. Top it with another cookie and gently press it down so the ice cream spreads to the edges.
Now comes the fun part—decorating! Roll the sides of each sandwich in a mix of sprinkles and mini chocolate chips until they’re all covered.
Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and pop them in the freezer for a few hours. When it’s time to serve, you’ll have a cool, colorful treat that everyone will love!
Red, White, and Blue Fruit Skewers
Looking for a healthy snack your kids will love to make and eat? Try these fun red, white, and blue fruit skewers! They’re super easy, colorful, and perfect for a patriotic treat.
What You’ll Need:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Skewers
First, gather your fruit and skewers. If your kids are old enough, let them help you slice the strawberries and bananas. If they’re too young to use a knife, you can cut the fruit ahead of time or buy pre-sliced fruit at the store to save time.
Now for the fun part—building the skewers! Show your kids how to make a pattern by saying it out loud: “Red, white, and blue… red, white, and blue!”
Keep repeating the pattern until the skewer is full. Before you know it, you’ll have a tray full of sweet, colorful snacks that everyone will want to grab. These fruit skewers are sure to disappear fast!
Sweet and Syrupy Patriotic Pancakes
What You’ll Need:
- Pancake mix
- Red and blue food coloring
- Whipped cream
- Star-shaped sprinkles
Before the fireworks begin, start your Fourth of July with a fun and tasty breakfast! These red and blue pancakes are easy to make, and there’s no wrong way to do it—especially when you’re still in your star-spangled pajamas!
Grab your favorite pancake mix (homemade or from a box), red and blue food coloring, some whipped cream, and star-shaped sprinkles. You can even make your own whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy—but the kind from a can works great too.
To get started, split your pancake batter into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and blue to the other. Just a few drops should do the trick, but you can add more if you want brighter colors.
Next, pour the colored batters onto a hot griddle or pan. When little bubbles start to form on top, it’s time to flip! Cook until both sides are golden and fluffy.
Stack the red and blue pancakes in a fun pattern, then top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Your kids will love how festive they look—and they’ll be proud they helped make breakfast extra special!
Fruit-Filled Liberty Lemonade
What You’ll Need:
- Fresh-squeezed lemon juice (or store-bought)
- Sugar
- Water
- Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries
While you’re getting the food ready, don’t forget the drinks! Nothing says “summer” like a cold glass of lemonade—and this one is extra special for the Fourth of July.
You can use your favorite lemonade recipe or make a simple mix using lemon juice, sugar, and water. To make it patriotic, just add some red and blue fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
Squeezing lemons can be tricky (especially for little hands), so feel free to use fresh-pressed lemon juice from the store—it works just as well!
Once you’ve mixed up the lemonade base, have your kids help add the fruit. The berries give it a sweet, fruity flavor and make each glass look festive and fun. It’s the perfect drink to serve with your holiday meal!
Starry Mini Berry Pies
What You’ll Need:
- Pre-made pie crusts
- Canned pie filling (blueberry and cherry work great)
- Star-shaped cookie cutter
- Egg wash (optional)
What’s the Fourth of July without a little pie? These fun star-shaped mini pies are just what your holiday dessert table needs!
To make them, you’ll need pre-made pie crusts, canned pie filling, and a star-shaped cookie cutter. Want to get fancy? You can make your own dough or filling, but the store-bought stuff works just fine.
Start by rolling out the pie crusts (you’ll need about 4 to 6). Have your kids help cut out star shapes using the cookie cutter. Next, spoon a little pie filling onto half of the stars. Leave about half an inch around the edges so you can seal them.
Now, take the plain stars and place them on top of the filled ones. Use a fork to press the edges together. You can brush a little egg wash on the edges to help seal them and give the pies a golden look when they bake. Don’t forget to cut 2 or 3 tiny slits in the top of each pie so the steam can escape.
Put the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350°F for about 20–25 minutes. Let them cool a bit—and enjoy your starry treats!
The Fourth of July is full of fun and fireworks, but it’s also a great time to make special memories with your kids. Whether you’re cooking up red, white, and blue pancakes or building your own ice cream sandwiches, enjoy these fun moments together!
Do you have any Fourth of July traditions you love? Maybe a favorite craft or recipe? We’d love to hear about it! Share in the comments or tag us in your fun holiday photos on social media!
Read Also: 6 Family-Friendly Movies to Watch With Your Grandkids on Independence Day
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