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Looking for Fourth of July party ideas? These are the products to buy

The Fourth of July is the perfect time to gather with friends and family for a barbecue or picnic. If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your yard, you may want to throw a pool party to celebrate Independence Day.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer a gas grill or a charcoal grill for barbecuing your burgers and hot dogs, your party can be a little less stressful if you have the right supplies on hand. These Fourth of July party ideas — whether it’s easy-to-hang festive decorations, food and beverage tools that simplify preparation and fun games to keep the kids entertained — will ensure you and your guests can have the time of your lives. 

In this article: Brightown 4th of July Red, White, Blue Star String Lights,  Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set and Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker

What do I need for an effortless July Fourth party?

One of the best things about a Fourth of July party is that you can take advantage of the warm weather and have it in your yard or at a local park — you don’t have to worry about deep-cleaning your home before the big day.

To make sure your party goes off without a hitch and you have time to enjoy your guests, here are some essentials to have on hand:

• Patio furniture: Your guests should have a comfortable spot to sit and chat or eat in your yard. This might include a patio furniture set with a sectional or sofa, a patio dining set, individual outdoor dining chairs or a picnic table. If your yard gets heavy sun, an umbrella or a pop-up party tent can provide shade.
• Decorations: No party is complete without decorations, so make sure to have some patriotic decor for your Fourth of July celebration. You can find plenty of items emblazoned with the American flag or a classic Stars and Stripes pattern.
• Food and drinks: Classic barbecue foods like burgers, hot dogs, steak and chicken will probably make up the heart of your Fourth of July menu. Since you have to cook these the day of the party, it helps to choose sides you can prepare ahead of time. Dishes like potato salad, coleslaw and macaroni and cheese are excellent options. It’s also a good idea to have beverages that guests can serve themselves — set up a bar table with all the basics or a cooler with cans of soft drinks, bottled water and/or beer for them to grab.
• Games and entertainment: Kids usually need some activities to keep them busy at parties — and some adults may want to participate. Have some lawn games set up or a sprinkler for the kids on hand to make sure everyone has a good time.

Best products for an effortless Fourth of July party

Patio furniture

George Oliver Ivetts Eight-Person Rectangular Outdoor Dining Set

This stylish outdoor dining set has a coastal look to it, featuring weather-resistant synthetic wicker. Each piece is reinforced by an aluminum frame. The slatted dining table contains a faux wood top and an umbrella hole. The set contains two armchairs and six armless chairs, complete with seat cushions. The cushions come in 16 colors, including fade- and water-resistant Sunbrella cover options. This durable, high-quality patio setup will last for years to come.

Yaheetech 13-Foot Triple-Size Patio Umbrella

To accommodate an eight-person dining set, you’ll need a larger patio umbrella like this 13-foot model. The fade-resistant, waterproof canopy is supported by 18 ribs and a pole, both made of iron that’s powder-coated for enhanced durability. It has a crank lifting system and a base, which must be filled with the included sandbags for stability. The canopy itself comes in five colors. 

Lifetime 6-Foot Folding Picnic Table

If you need more dining space, this picnic table will come in handy. It folds flat for easy storage in a garage or shed. The tabletop and seats are made of a durable form of plastic and the sturdy steel frame has an all-weather finish. This setup seats up to eight people comfortably.

Leader Accessories Silver Pop-Up Canopy Tent

If you need some extra shade, this canopy tent will do the job. It provides 10 by 10 feet of sun protection, with a powder-coated steel frame and weather-resistant polyester canopy. While the setup is straightforward — no tools are required for assembly — it’s easier to set up with two people. The tent includes a wheeled carry bag for easy transport. The canopy comes in gray, beige and silver.

Fourth of July decorations

Hoosun American Flag Bunting

This flag-inspired pleated bunting makes a classic decoration for your porch or deck railing. It’s made of durable polyester, so you can use it year after year. The grommets at the top make it easy to hang. You can purchase a single bunting or multi-packs ranging from two to ten. 

GIFTEXPRESS Spearhead Handheld American Stick Flags

Whether you use them to decorate your yard or hand them out to your guests, these flags will set the right mood for your Fourth of July party. Each package contains 12 flags with a natural wooden stick and a decorative spear at the top that has an antique bronze finish.

Brightown 4th of July Red, White, Blue Star String Lights

These festive string lights contain 50 red, white and blue stars on each strand to light your party after dark. You can connect up to 50 sets to cover your entire yard, and the LED bulbs offer up to 25,000 hours of illumination.

Labrostar 26-Piece Patriotic 4th of July Decor

This festive set of decorations includes fans, pom-poms, hanging swirls, a patriotic banner and a string of stars in classic red, white and blue. Since most of the components are paper, they may only be good for a season or two, but this is a budget-friendly set you can buy each year.  

Fourth of July food and drink

CAKKA 4th of July Plastic Tablecloths

These disposable tablecloths are made of premium plastic and feature a dark blue background with red, white and lighter blue stars for a patriotic design. They’re waterproof and washable, so you can reuse them. 

Gatherfun American Flag Patriotic Party Supplies

This patriotic set includes American flag-themed dinner plates, dessert plates, napkins and cups. They’re disposable and made of paper, so they’ll save you cleanup time once the party is over. This set serves 25 people, and there’s a larger 50-person option available too. 

Anapoliz 4th of July Serving Trays

Your guests can easily grab chips, pretzels and other snacks from these plastic flag-print serving trays. Each set contains 10 trays, providing you plenty for side dishes at your Fourth of July party. The trays are 12 inches long, 7 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep to hold plenty of food.

Blackstone 28-Inch Flat-Top Gas Grill

This flat-top gas grill lets you cook a variety of Fourth of July foods, from burgers and hot dogs to steaks. It offers 470 square inches of cooking space. The grill is easy to assemble and use with a simple push-button ignition. It’s got two shelves, one on the side and another on the bottom, for storing grilling tools or food. With two wheels, it’s easy to move around the yard.

Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set

Make sure you’re ready to grill up your guests’ favorite barbecue foods with this 20-piece grilling tool set. All the pieces are made of durable, rust-resistant stainless steel and feature longer handles and a balanced weight to make them easy to use.

FreshJax Gourmet Organic BBQ & Grill Lovers Seasonings

With this barbecue seasonings set, you won’t have to mix up your own spice rubs to have the most flavorful burgers, steaks, chicken and veggies. It includes six different blends, such as citrus pepper, grill master burger blend and mesquite lime. They all contain certified organic, kosher and gluten-free ingredients.

Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker

This versatile margarita machine can make up to three blended drinks at a time so you have a variety for your guests. Each pitcher holds 24 ounces, producing 72 ounces in total each cycle. It also has six convenient drink presets: margarita, daiquiri, colada, mudslide, mojito and smoothie.

Igloo Party Bucket Cooler

Guests can help themselves to soda, water, beer and more from this leak-resistant party cooler. It’s made of durable, easy-to-clean plastic and is lined with foam insulation to hold onto ice. It has an elevated base that keeps it above hot surfaces so your drinks stay cool.

Games and entertainment

GoSports Regulation-Size Wooden Cornhole Boards Set

This cornhole set is suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it a fun activity for barbecues and picnics. It’s made of sturdy plywood with an attractive birchwood finish. It’s paintable if you want to customize it. The carrying case makes storage simple.

GoSports Backyard Bocce Set

A classic outdoor game, bocce Ball is easy to learn and fun for all ages. Up to eight players can join in with this set. The balls are made of high-quality resin. A rugged canvas case is included for portability and storage.

Kan Jam Disc Toss Game

This exciting frisbee game will stir up some healthy competition. Two teams of two players alternate between throwing and deflecting. The two goals lay flat for easy storage in a trunk or the garage.  

Worth checking out

• This drink dispenser holds two different beverages and makes it simple for guests to serve themselves.
• Serve homemade frozen treats to your guests with the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.
• The Charcoal Companion Nonstick Kabob Grilling Baskets eliminate the need for skewers when making kabobs for your Fourth of July party.
• The Sony SRS-XP500 X-Series Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker is perfect for a summer party with powerful bass and a splash-resistant build.
• Swap your regular outdoor cushion covers with these Fourth of July-themed ones.
• The Costway Giant 4-in-a-Row Game takes just a minute to assemble and is entertaining for all ages.
• Tell Me Without Telling Me is a fun party game for adults that quickly turns hilarious.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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