25 Easy 4th of July Snacks for Kids They'll Love

 

We all know that no 4th of July celebration is complete without festive snacks! Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to a neighborhood picnic, or enjoying fireworks with family, these easy 4th of July snacks for kids are colorful, delicious, and simple to make.

From healthy fruit treats to fun desserts, these patriotic snack ideas are sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.

1. Red, White & Blue Fruit Kabobs

Thread strawberries, blueberries, and mini marshmallows onto skewers for a healthy snack that looks as festive as it tastes.

2. Patriotic Popcorn

Toss freshly popped popcorn with red, white, and blue candy-coated chocolates or festive sprinkles for a sweet-and-salty treat.

3. Firecracker Pretzel Rods

Dip pretzel rods in white chocolate, then decorate with red and blue sprinkles before they harden.

4. Watermelon Stars

Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to turn watermelon slices into patriotic stars.

5. Berry Yogurt Parfaits

Layer vanilla yogurt with fresh strawberries and blueberries in clear cups for an easy no-bake dessert.

6. Patriotic Rice Krispie Treats

Cut Rice Krispie treats into stars and drizzle with red, white, and blue icing.

7. Red, White & Blue Popsicles

Freeze layers of strawberry puree, vanilla yogurt, and blueberry puree for homemade popsicles.

8. Mini Flag Fruit Tray

Arrange strawberries, bananas, and blueberries into an American flag design.

9. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Bake cupcakes directly in flat-bottomed ice cream cones and decorate with patriotic frosting.

10. Star-Shaped Cheese and Crackers

Cut cheese slices into stars and serve with crackers for an easy savory snack.

11. Patriotic Trail Mix

Mix pretzels, popcorn, dried cranberries, yogurt-covered raisins, and blueberries for a grab-and-go snack.

12. Red, White & Blue Jello Cups

Layer red and blue gelatin with whipped topping for a colorful dessert.

13. Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Layer pound cake, whipped cream, and strawberries in small cups.

14. Firework Cupcakes

Top cupcakes with swirls of red, white, and blue frosting and festive sprinkles.

15. Frozen Banana Pops

Dip bananas in white chocolate and decorate with patriotic sprinkles before freezing.

16. Patriotic Puppy Chow

Coat cereal with white chocolate and powdered sugar, then mix with red and blue candies.

17. Mini Sandwich Skewers

Alternate cubes of turkey, cheese, and cherry tomatoes on skewers for a kid-friendly lunch.

18. Fruit Pizza

Spread sweetened cream cheese over a sugar cookie crust and decorate with berries.

19. Star Sugar Cookies

Bake classic sugar cookies using a star cookie cutter and decorate with red, white, and blue icing.

20. Frozen Yogurt Bark

Top vanilla yogurt with berries and freeze until firm before breaking into pieces.

21. Berry Smoothies

Blend strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, and milk into a refreshing summer drink.

22. Patriotic Snack Mix

Combine popcorn, pretzels, cereal squares, and festive candies in a large bowl.

23. Red, White & Blue Donuts

Decorate store-bought glazed donuts with colored icing and sprinkles for an easy shortcut.

24. Apple "Fireworks"

Slice apples and arrange them in a burst pattern with grapes and blueberries for a playful fruit display.

25. DIY Snack Board

Create a patriotic snack board filled with fruit, crackers, cheese, popcorn, cookies, and colorful treats so kids can build their own plates.

Final Thoughts

These easy 4th of July snacks for kids are perfect for backyard parties, picnics, classroom celebrations, and family gatherings. Whether you're looking for healthy options, sweet treats, or quick appetizers, there's something here for every celebration.

Which snack will your family be making this year? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to check out our other 4th of July ideas and free bingo printables for even more holiday fun!

15 Super Fun 4th of July Ideas for Kids of ALL ages!

The 4th of July is one of the most exciting holidays for kids. What's not to love? Between backyard barbecues filling the air with delicious scents, fireworks illuminating the sky, and joyful family and friend-filled gatherings, it's the perfect time to create lasting memories together.

If you're looking for simple, affordable ways to keep the kids attending your party entertained, these 4th of July fun ideas are easy to put together and full of patriotic goodness to keep the kids smiling all day long! Whether you've got a rambunctious trio or a chaotic group of all ages, here's your sign to go ahead and stock up on some goodies via Prime!

Now tell me, bestie, are you ready to make Independence Day even more memorable? Let's have some fun with the kiddos! Which one of these activities should we start with first?

1. Make Patriotic Crafts

Set up a craft table with red, white, and blue construction paper, markers, glitter, stickers, and glue. Kids can create flags, stars, pinwheels, or festive paper wreaths to decorate the house.

2. Host a Backyard Water Balloon Battle

Nothing says summer like a water balloon fight! Divide everyone into teams or simply let the kids cool off while burning some energy.

3. Decorate Bikes or Scooters

Don't forget to jazz up all your rides for the holiday! It's time to decorate your bikes, wagons, golf carts, or scooters with streamers, ribbons, balloons, and mini American flags. Then organize a mini neighborhood parade.

4. Create a Patriotic Scavenger Hunt

Hide red, white, and blue items around the yard (think toy cars, barbie accessories, etc) and make a checklist of the items for the kids to find. You can even offer small prizes for everyone who finishes.

5. Make Festive Treats Together

Kids love helping in the kitchen and it's a tasty way for everyone to get snackin'. I suggest making something simple like:

• Red, white, and blue fruit skewers

• Patriotic popcorn

• Star-shaped sugar cookies

• Yogurt parfaits with berries

• Ice cream sundaes topped with festive sprinkles

6. Play Classic Backyard Games

Simple games never go out of style and since we are celebrating America's 250th birthday - let's throw it back to the good ol' days and play the "field day" style of games everyone loves. Try:

• Sack races

• Three-legged races

• Ring toss

• Tug-of-war

• Water relay races

These games are fun for both kids and adults and will leave everyone giggling. The prep time is minimal with a kit like this delivered via amazon!

7. Have a Glow Stick Dance Party

Once the sun starts setting, hand out glow sticks, glow necklaces, and bubble wands. Play upbeat music and let the kids dance before the fireworks begin. Glow sticks are also a great way to keep the kids super safe if you live in a busy neighborhood.

8. Read Books About America

Take a quiet break during the afternoon with books about Independence Day, American history, or famous landmarks. It's a great way to mix learning with holiday fun.

9. Create Sidewalk Chalk Art

Give kids colorful sidewalk chalk and let them decorate the driveway with flags, stars, fireworks, and patriotic messages. We sometimes like to make simple obstacle courses out front that involve hopping, skipping, spinning, etc.

10. Play Patriotic Bingo

Use these fun bingo cards (and call cards) or try and create simple bingo cards featuring classic 4th of July images like flags, fireworks, stars, hot dogs, popsicles, eagles, and red, white, and blue balloons. Use candy, small toys, or stickers as markers, and hand out fun prizes for winners.

This is a great activity for family cookouts or block parties since kids of all ages can play together while waiting for food or the fireworks to begin.

11. Make DIY Bubble Stations

Mix up homemade bubble solution and provide different-sized wands, cookie cutters, or pipe cleaners for kids to experiment with giant bubbles.

12. Make Patriotic Slime

If your kids love sensory activities, whip up a batch of red, white, and blue slime. Add glitter, star confetti, or tiny foam beads for a festive touch. Let each child create their own unique slime to play with during the celebration and take home afterward.

It's an inexpensive activity that's always a hit with elementary-aged kids.

13. Paint Rocks

Collect smooth rocks and let kids paint them with stars, stripes, hearts, or fun patriotic designs. They can display them in the garden or hide them around the neighborhood for others to discover.

14. Make Friendship Bracelets

Set out red, white, and blue beads and string so kids can create bracelets to wear or share with friends and cousins.

15. Watch Fireworks Safely

End the day in the most traditional, American way, by watching a local fireworks display together or lighting some of your own fireworks. Bring blankets, snacks, and glow sticks, and be sure to talk with kids about fireworks safety before the show begins.

Tips for a Stress-Free 4th of July with Kids

A little planning goes a long way. Pack sunscreen, bug spray, extra water, and a few quiet activities if you'll be out late. Younger children may also appreciate noise-reducing headphones during fireworks displays.Most importantly, don't worry about making everything perfect. Kids usually remember the laughter, games, and time spent together much more than elaborate decorations or expensive activities.

Final Thoughts

Celebrating Independence Day doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. These 4th of July ideas for kids are easy to customize for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children, making it simple to create a day filled with fun, laughter, and family memories.

What are your family's favorite 4th of July traditions? Share your ideas in the comments below I'd love to hear how you celebrate!

Fun Holidays to Celebrate on June 29th

Fun Holidays to Celebrate Today (June 29): Camera Day, Waffle Iron Day & More!

Who says every day has to be ordinary? One of my favorite ways to add a little fun to family life is by celebrating some of the quirky "national days" that pop up throughout the year. They're simple, inexpensive, and sometimes they're the perfect excuse to make an ordinary Monday feel a little more special.

Here are a few fun holidays happening today!

📸 National Camera Day

Whether you use a fancy DSLR or your smartphone, today is all about capturing memories.

Here are a few easy ways to celebrate:

• Take a family selfie.
• Go on a neighborhood photo walk.
• Let your kids be the photographers for the day.
• Print a few favorite photos you've been meaning to hang up.
• Snap a picture of something that makes you smile.

Sometimes the best memories aren't the perfectly posed ones—they're the messy, everyday moments.

🧇 National Waffle Iron Day

Breakfast for dinner, anyone?

Pull out the waffle iron and get creative!

Try topping waffles with:

• Fresh berries
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Chocolate chips
• Whipped cream
• Ice cream for dessert waffles
• Fried chicken for a fun twist

If you don't have waffle mix, today might be the perfect excuse to make homemade waffles together.

🤗 Hug Holiday

Life gets busy, and sometimes we forget how much a simple hug can mean.

Today's reminder is easy:

• Hug your kids.
• Hug your spouse.
• Hug your parents.
• Hug a friend.

Those little moments of connection often become the ones we remember most.

🌍 International Mud Day

This one is definitely kid-approved.

Instead of worrying about dirty clothes, let the kids splash in puddles, build mud pies, or create a backyard "mud kitchen."

Childhood is messy—and sometimes that's exactly how it's supposed to be.

Just keep a towel by the door!

Make Today a Little More Fun

You don't have to spend money or plan a big adventure to make memories.

Maybe today you'll:

• Take a few extra photos.
• Enjoy waffles for dinner.
• Give someone an unexpected hug.
• Let the kids get a little muddy.

Sometimes it's the little things that become our favorite family traditions.

Tell me in the comments—which fun holiday would your family be most excited to celebrate today?

 

Cheesy Potato Balls with Stella - The Most Unique & Delicious Way to Use Left Over Mashed Potatoes

This post is sponsored by Stella® Cheese but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Here's the thing, you probably already know that I'm not so traditional when it comes to life, but I'm truly a little off the wall when it comes to the holidays. As far as our most recent holiday, Thanksgiving - well, if I'm being totally honest, it's definitely not on my list of favorites. Mainly because I don't love turkey and I think we should be thankful everyday, among other reasons. To make up for my lack of turkey lovin', I like to get super creative with side dishes.

This year I went totally left field and made something super unique that I've never made before and that my family seemed to really enjoy - even Miss Delainey loved these, once she finally took a break from playing long enough to eat.

What's so amazing about these Cheesy Potato Balls? Well, to put it simply... everything! These little balls of heaven are perfectly seasoned and just the perfect size to "pop" in your mouth during a holiday party or after a family meal as a little snack.

Filled with the most delicious Stella cheese, this is not only delicious - it's a GREAT way to get rid of left over mashed potatoes from a family meal as well. Have the left over potatoes but need the cheese? Find Stella cheese at a location nearby you using the locator on their website!

Enough about how amazing this recipe is though, here's how you make it -

Ingredients:

4 tbsp Stella Gorgonzola Cheese
3/4 of 8 oz block of Stella Fontinella Cheese
Half of red bell pepper, diced into small pieces
3 minced scallions
5 cups cold mashed potatoes
3/4 cup + 2 tbs of flour
3 pieces of bacon, diced into small pieces
2 eggs, beaten
Oil (for frying)

Heat oil up to 375 in a deep fryer (or a in a pan).

While oil is heating, mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Form the "dough" into small balls and drop them into the oil a few at a time to not overcrowd the deep fryer or pan. Cook approximately 5 min or until edges look browned and crispy.

ENJOY!

Overstuffed Mushrooms with Savory Crab & Real California Cheese Filling!

This post is sponsored by Real California Milk but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.



I can't even believe it's already November... I mean, this year is really just flying by.

The thing is, THIS time of year is pretty much perfection in my neck of the woods. We start out the days with a little crispness to the air and by the end of the day, it's still nice enough to watch the sunset at the beach. It's the best of both worlds... and it also makes me crave some of my favorite savory dishes.

I seriously can't be the only one that instantly feels a chill in the air and starts dreaming of pumpkin spice dishes, chili, mashed potatoes, and "stuffed" everything. I mean, that's what the month of November is about - thankfulness & food... and one of my favorite foods to bring back this time of year is actually one I tend to favor all year round as well - I'm talkin' stuffed mushrooms, y'all & this recipe doesn't disappoint!

These crab & cheese stuffed mushrooms are just like a Florida day - absolutely perfect in every way! Pairing seafood with savory, creamy goodness - it doesn't get much better than this... Except for the fact this dish is made with all Real California Milk Cheeses. That means the flavor is better and it's made with love, with the dairy coming from 99% family owned & operated farms.

That's the thing, when your dairy comes from other families - you know it's going to be good... and the extra spectacular news is, you can buy Real California Milk Cheeses nearly everywhere! I found a huge selection at my local health food store, as well as a decent selection at Publix!

Want to find a place by you, so you can get yours hands on the "good cheese" too? Check out this locator and find out where you can find these delicious, wholesome cheeses with the "Real California Milk seal" nearby you. After all, knowing your cheese comes from real people & it's kissed by the California sun just means there's that much more love going into your holiday dishes this year!

Want to serve up the best of both coasts? Pair my "Floridian" recipe with their California cheese and you have a real winning combo! So... let's get to making those delicious overstuffed mushrooms with a savory crab and cheese filling!

Ingredients:

2 cups crab meat
4 oz freshly shredded Mozzarella Cheese made with Real California Milk
1 tbsp parsley
1/2 tbsp sea salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp marjoram
1 tbsp garlic
1/2 tbsp black pepper
2 green onion stalks, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
4 large portebella mushroom
olive oil
4 oz freshly shredded Pepper Jack Cheese made with Real California Milk
1 tbsp bread crumbs

Step one - Preheat the oven to 375 degrees & get your filling started: mix the crab meat, Real California Cheese Mozzarella, spices, green onions, bell pepper, and grated parmesan all together in a large bowl. Place to the side.

Next - take your mushrooms and apply a thin layer of olive oil to the top of the caps. Flip over & place on pan, overstuffing the mushrooms with the crab mix.

Now - add 4 oz of Pepper Jack cheese made with Real California Milk on top. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake or 18 minutes at 375, then turn your oven to broil for 3-5 minutes.

Garnish with parsley, if desired & enjoy!

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Delainey and I agree. We both love the holidays.

The thing is, we have been slightly off lately, battling with a cold for what feels like forever... So things haven't been as cheery as they could have been over the last few weeks. I had all these plans and well, none of them really played out.

I was going to share how we made these awesome homemade ornaments.. then life happened. So instead you get this photograph of them right now and maybe the tutorial for how to make them at a later date.

We had plans to visit Santa again before Christmas, but our colds put that idea on hold and now Christmas has already passed. Oops! So... we'll take our precious photos from a random visit with Santa at the zoo this year and embrace them, even if she is being feisty in them. That's a true depiction of my girl, after all.

That's the thing, sometimes you just have to go with the flow, embrace the change, and just deal. So that's what we're doing this holiday season... and I'm okay with that.

With that said, in 2018, I'm hoping for great things - from myself, for my daughter, for my blog, for my business, for my circle of friends and family, for our country.

So cheers! Here's to the holiday season and all the greatness to come in 2018. I hope the best for you & yours in the coming year!

4 Ways You Can Help Eliminate & Reduce Holiday Anxiety

It's officially the holiday season. We call it "the happiest time of the year" and it is, for some... and for others, this time of year brings on anxiety and causes stress. As for me, I love spending time with family and friends, but I'll admit I'm one of many that still gets anxious when it comes time to get festive.

While I used to let anxiety overcome me, over the years I've pretty much mastered how to deal with holiday related anxiety and today I want to share a few tips with you so that all is calm in your world.

4 Ways You Can Help Eliminate & Reduce Holiday Anxiety

1. No Expectations - Instead of anticipating the perfect event, go ahead and take a deep breath and remind yourself it's okay for things to not go as planned - it's okay for things to just happen. Allow yourself the time to be present and stop stressing about the small stuff. It doesn't matter how you responded to your cousin's snarky remark or how your brother-in-law will react to the gift you've chosen for him... instead of thinking of what could happen, think about what you're doing now.

If you start feeling that stressful feeling again, take a second to absorb the beauty of the lights around you, listen for the live music playing from down the street, feel how soft these new Kleenex are, and stop stressing about the small stuff.

2. Plan for Peace - Okay, while things may not always go as planned, that doesn't mean you can't make an itinerary and hope to follow it. A big part of my anxiety is triggered by the "unknown" so planning ahead provides some peace of mind. If you're like me, you can plan days ahead for fun events, from looking at lights at the park to browsing the aisles for toys for your niece, plan when you'll be going and doing these events and you'll find them a lot less anxiety-inducing.

Also plan your family time ahead, so you aren't spread too thin on time or torn between groups... and well, it's important you do this so you don't run out of paper items either.

That's right, planning ahead to have enough paper towels and toilet paper is a MUST around the holiday season when you're expecting company.

And you can't forget Kleenex hand towels either, especially if you have a big family.

With extra company coming in to town, the last thing you want to run out of is the necessities and lucky for you can use Ibotta to snag a rebate on the Scott, Viva, Kleenex, and Cottonelle goodies you bought at Walmart.

I personally despise grocery shopping and I ordered all my goodies online at Walmart.com --with home delivery, free 2 day shipping and same day shipping options, who needs the hassle of going in-stores to shop? Not this girl! But, if you're the type that likes to shop in-stores, you're also in luck because all of these goodies are stocked on the shelves too!

3. Respect Differences -  Have a family member that picks on you and just drives you bonkers? Accept that you can't change others, but you can change your own mindset and focus on those that make you happy. Do your best to respect that your differences are what makes your family beautiful and again, try to be present in the moment and enjoy the other good things about the holiday!

4. Budget & Be Giving - Instead of spending too much on gifts people don't want or need, think about a unique gift idea instead.

Make a handmade baby book for your nephew or send your niece something you drew for her. You can surely come up with a creative way to spoil your family without the added price tag.

This year some of my family will receive blooms from my new small shop, Bloomology. I'll be making each creation specially for the individual receiving it so I hope they know how heart-felt these gifts are... no pun intended.


With that said, how do you reduce anxiety around the holidays? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below! But don't forget to snag your rebates on your next Walmart run with Ibotta!

Frida Kahlo Baby Costume Inspiration in Honor of International Day of The Girl

As an "artist" and a lover of all things colorful, creative, and fun, it probably comes as no surprise that there are some artists I truly admire in the world.

I think it's likely pretty obvious to you that I adore art so much that I appreciate the opportunity to share that passion with others - hence my blog, it's name, and it's original purpose.

While I blog about all kinds of stuff now, I'm proud to say that I've shared my love of art with my sweet daughter, Delainey.

She may not know much the names of artists and their work, what techniques they are using, or what she's doing with a brush when I hand her one, but the girl seems to appreciate art as much as I do... She points at works of art she appreciates, she coos and talks about our paintings around our home, and when we play with paints, she is ecstatic... so I'm happy as a clam sharing this passion with her.

On that note, as we were brainstorming Halloween costumes and getting super creative, I knew that paying tribute to some of our favorite artists was something that had to happen!

After coming to this conclusion, I sat there thinking of some of our favorite artists, their looks, and how we could dress her up as them (on that note - no promises... but there's still a chance that she rocks a Dali-esque mustache some day later this month) and I just knew she had to be Frida Kahlo.

Frida Kahlo, for those of you who may not know yet, was a Mexican painter with a passion for love and a unique style, all her own. She lived an interesting, creative, passionate life and her artistic work is definitely worth admiring... as was her one of a kind style.

That's why Delainey is rocking this look today, the International Day of the Girl. While Frida isn't physically here to cheer on women's equality and young women's human rights today, WE are... and this tiny Frida is certain that she deserves the right to create and live as she pleases.

And, since Frida was the queen of self-portraits, I thought paying homage to her via our costume photos was a nice gesture.

For this costume, I made D a custom Bloomology crown, which you can claim one of these beauties over in the group THIS weekend! Her shirt is second-hand, and her icings pants are from Sew Sassy Boutique!

Loving this costume idea? Don't forget to check out the other 31 days of Halloween!