by   SheSpeaksTeam   

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Jun 27, 2018

687

July 4th is for fireworks, BBQs, family and friends. Make sure it's extra special with 4 big ideas that will keep everyone happy all day long.

To celebrate the holiday, we're giving one lucky winner a $75 Amazon gift card to make the day spectacular!

Get Out!

Use your mid-week day off and take a day trip. If you live near a beach, that's a no-brainer, but even if you don't, there are other options. Celebrate the meaning of the day and visit a National Park. Many people don't realize how many there are, or how diverse their offerings. Ranging from historical monuments to natural wonders, many National Parks have special activities on July 4th, so it's worth clicking here to find out what's near you.

Or if you're looking for a different kind of adventure, head on over to a local amusement park. We were lucky enough to try the Twisted Cyclone, a new roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. It drops you ten stories, flips you upside down three times and twists you through a 360-degree zero gravity roll. It was the ultimate thrill. But if you don't live near Atlanta, there's new rides at all Six Flags locations and lots of adrenaline-rushing fun to be had at parks all over the country. 

Serve It Patriotic

If you are hosting a party or going to one, you can bring the traditional flag cake or top a blueberry/strawberry fruit salad with whipped cream. But if you really want to show off your patriotic spirit,  prep something more interesting, like a grilled potato salad that uses a combo of red, white and blue potatoes. Or a plate of nachos that are red (chopped tomatoes, red beans, salsa) and white (sour cream & any white cheese you prefer, such as Monterey jack, cotijo or queso blanco) on top of blue corn tortillas.

Make sure the cocktails are also July 4th appropriate by mixing a red, white & blue signature drink.

• Add strawberries, raspberries and blueberries to white wine sangria.
• Layer strawberry and blueberry margaritas with piña colada.
• Mix a Bomb Pop Drink in either an alcoholic or nonalcoholic version. Find the recipes here, thanks to SheSpeaks member CupcakesandCrossbones.

Keep the Kids (And Adults!) Busy

Every year, on July 4th, we forget how late the fireworks start and how restless the kids get. Not this year! Classic games, like Jenga, Connect 4, Dominos, Yard Dice, Chess & Cards, now come in giant sizes, made to be played outside. Jenga reaches over 5' tall and Connect 4 is over 3' wide. Pair that with Corn Hole or outdoor bowling, and you'll have the perfect bit of nostalgia to keep young - and old - happy.

Make the Night Glow

As the sky gets dark, many people pull out glow sticks to light the night. But these one-time-use plastics are not great for the environment and fade out quickly. This year, try something more impressive - with an easy DIY glow project. You can make Glowing Bubbles by mixing bubble solution with washable glow paint or glow-in-the-dark solution.

And for the best way to decorate the yard, spray rocks with glow-in-the-dark spray paint. This will make Glow-In-The Dark Pebbles that you can lay out in a pattern in your yard or a path down your walkway. The surprise will appear right before you head out to the fireworks.

How are you celebrating July 4th? Tell us for the chance to win a $75 Amazon gift card to make the day spectacular.

There are three ways to enter:

1. Comment below to tell us about your July 4th plans.
2. Click here to tweet: "I'm celebrating July 4th and entering to win a $75 Amazon gift card in the #SheSpeaks4Giveaway, thx to @SheSpeaksUp bit.ly/2tH6Krg"
3. Post a picture on Instagram (worth 5 entries) of your July 4th spirit with the hashtags #SheSpeaks4Giveaway, #SheSpeaks and #entry.

*One lucky commenter, Tweeter or Instagrammer will be chosen at random to receive a $75 Amazon gift card. Giveaway is open through July 15th, 2018 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.