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The recent wave of coronavirus spikes across the country has understandably made many people nervous about social gatherings. Though it's disappointing to have to change up traditions, there are still many safe ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Here are creative ideas for having 4th of July fun while practicing social distancing, along with festive recipes to help set the mood!
If you’re looking to socialize, why not see if your neighborhood would like to host a block party for all the residents? 
Encourage people to wear face coverings and to set up tables and chairs a safe distance apart from one another. Include fun yard/lawn games (badminton, charades or kickball), sidewalk chalk for some patriotic art, or maybe even water balloons!
And since it’s July, make sure you to up a canopy tent over your hangout area to help keep everyone shaded and cool throughout the day. If you or your neighbors don’t already own one, we love this one off of Amazon for its fast delivery time, easy set up and storage, and fully adjustable height.
Maybe you were thinking about a family bike ride. How about turning it into a good old-fashioned bike parade? Invite everyone to decorate their bikes, scooters and wagons and join in the fun! This is a perfect socially distanced outdoor activity and a green alternative to the car parades we've all been enjoying for recent birthdays and graduations.
It also gives everyone a chance to show off their creativity! Take the opportunity to use all those red, white and blue decorations you have in the closet from past 4th of July parties.
If you or one of your neighbors or friends have a projector-friendly wall on the side of your house, consider hosting an outdoor, picnic-style movie night once it gets dark. Make popcorn or any of your favorite 4th of July themed snacks and gather everything you need to be comfy and cozy as the temperatures dip.
"Hamilton," the hugely successful Broadway musical, comes out on Disney+ on July 3rd and would be a perfect choice for an Independence Day movie night!
Many are taking this opportunity to go on a camping trip with their household. Make sure to do your research and reserve a camping site if possible beforehand to make sure you and your family will have a good spot waiting for you! And check for any fire bans in the area as well to avoid a ticket, especially if you're bringing supplies for s'mores!
There’s nothing wrong with a low-key celebration at home, and there are still plenty of ways to make it memorable! We've been relishing this opportunity to spend extra quality time with loved ones, and the 4th of July should be no different. Plan a nice weekend brunch or picnic a safe distance from others, or have a family game night. Here are a few popular board games and video games depending on what your family likes best.
You could also spend time making arts and crafts if that suits you all better — get creative and use whatever you have lying around the house to make American flags. Making a homemade flag with anything from balloons to paper towels and some food coloring can be a fun, potentially messy and silly family activity.
Of course, it's also a great time to break out the grill for some family favorites. In the mood to try something new? Check out this list of grill recipes from around the world!
What you’ll need:
Cooking steps:
For quicker options, try this American Flag Fruit Cookie Dessert Pizza or Patriotic Layered Jello!
However you and your family decide to celebrate Independence Day, don't forget to take a minute to appreciate the quality time with your loved ones. The disappointment of plans and dreams that have been canceled or postponed because of the pandemic can really start to build up and distract us from the positives. But it is exactly these little moments of gratitude felt during an old-fashioned family holiday that will get us through this strange time.
