On the 4th of July, in small town, USA, there really isn’t much to do! But some of the neighboring towns have some great firework shows and some all day activities that are great for the family to partake in.

Our nearby town has an art show, and face painting for the kids, and they usually have local bands or barbershop quartets at the bandstand that everyone wants to hear. So planning snacks can be a challenge. There are usually food vendors available but snacks and drinks and one meal can be packed from home. All you need to do is pre-plan.

Make sure to pack foods and drinks that are easy to use and get to. Snack foods and munchies can be packed in individual bags for handing out at any time. Drinks can be stored in a cooler along with some of the snacks that don’t require a lot of refrigeration but might be better kept at a cooler temperature.

The trick to packing a cooler is to remember to place your drinks on the bottom then pour ice on top then add your snacks on top. One cooler is usually enough since there are drinks and snacks also available at the park.

Packing snacks can be easy and healthy at the same time! Fruits like apples, grapes and even dried fruit are great choices! Add some nuts, maybe some dried cereal and you have created your own special trail mix. This is a treat that young and old will enjoy. Add some pudding snacks on top of the ice or some cheese cubes or slices and some crackers and another healthy snack is available at any time.

For drinking, try packing small bottles of water and the flavored packets they make now that you can add to it. Gatorade in small bottles is another great choice or even juice boxes in various flavors. This should satisfy even the most discriminating tastes.
Don’t forget the lawn chairs and the blankets! Even in July, sometimes the nights get a bit chilly and a light blanket is always appreciated. Besides, if you don’t use it to cover up with, you can always lay down on it to watch the fireworks overhead!

To clean up with, use the new hand sanitizers or baby wipes that are available in travel sizes. They don’t take up much space but can remove the sticky from anyone’s hands.

These are just some simple ideas for a great day at the park…do what seems to work for your family. Remember be safe and have a great Independence Day celebration.