The old saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Speaking of fun, the Fourth of July will be here before you know it. These quick and easy yard preparations tips for a Fourth of July party will help make your party a success.

Instead of spending the entire day running from place to place, consider throwing your own Fourth of July party. It gives you an excuse to really spruce up and decorate your yard.

Start planning early to be sure you’re ready on the day of the party. Since the party will be on the Fourth of July, you have a ready-made theme or starting place. Begin by making a list of things you’ll need and what you’ll need to do.

Of course, you’ll want your lawn to be cleaned up, so now is the time to start picking up the yard toys, furniture, and other things that have made their way to the lawn. Give it a good mowing and remove the dead grass. Maintaining a well-manicured lawn takes some time, but the beauty of it will be a thing to behold.

If you have lawn furniture, make sure to clean it well before the day of the party. You would probably do this at the beginning of summer, but you may want to re-clean it as the party draws nearer. This also gives you an opportunity to check to be sure the furniture is safe or if anything needs to be replaced.

Check your lawn for fire ant colonies. If you find them, now is the time to spread out any poison to get rid of them. You may also want to have a professional exterminator come and spray a couple of days before the party to get rid any other unwanted pests. Find or buy citronella candles to help keep mosquitoes from ruining the party.

Make sure you have enough seating for all your guests, and then arrange your lawn furniture and other seating in conversational groups. This will encourage your guests to chitchat while they’re waiting for the food to be prepared and served. Be sure there’s a small table within the group for guests to set their glasses.

Prepare an area of the lawn that will be just for the kids. Set out some yard games such as croquet, water balloon toss, horse shoes, or tug-of-war. Of course, you’ll want to have games for all age children and someone to monitor the games so the kids don’t get out of hand.

The day before the party, set up the cooking area. You know the kitchen is often the busiest place in the house during the holidays, so set up a cooking area complete with a preparation table, barbecue grill, and a place for guests to relax while you cook. If you have a small refrigerator, that’s great. But you can also set out your coolers with food the day of the party so everything is within reach.

These quick and easy tips for preparing your yard for a Fourth of July party may be all you need to start thinking about your own summer party plans. The benefit of preparing early is that you won’t be rushed as the day approaches. It also allows you time to ensure that your guests will enjoy the time they spend with you and your family.

Children love to play games, whether inside or outside. When planning your summer festivities, make sure you include Fourth of July yard games for children in your plans. Not only will having yard games keep the kids occupied while the adults talk, they may be just what you need to keep them from asking you “When do the fireworks start” for the zillionth time.

Consider the ages and abilities of the children that will be present when planning yard games for your party. You don’t want anyone to feel left out. You may also want to have a list prepared and allow your guests to choose which game to play first. It would also be good to set your rules before the games begin, and be sure everyone understands them so there are no arguments. Here are some great games to try:

Tag: This is one game that children have played for centuries and it’s very simple. Someone is chosen to be “It” and then has to cover their eyes while everyone else hides. Be sure to choose a place for base so everyone can try to get there before being tagged. That person then becomes “It” and the game continues with that person trying to catch others.

Tug-of-War: Set up an area with a small wading pool and a rope long enough for everyone that wants to play. Mark the center of the rope with a bandana or tape and then have even-sided teams grab either end of the rope. They pull until one team has pulled the flag over a particular line, in this case it could be the edge of the pool. Don’t be surprised, however, if one side ends up getting wet, so be prepared with towels.

Scavenger Hunt: Before the party, make a list of ten things that should be able to be found in your yard. This could include a certain type of flower, rocks, feathers, or items that you specifically place in your yard. Give each player a list and let them go scavenging. Whoever returns with the most items, wins!

Croquet: This game has been around for a long time. You may want to have the game set up prior to guests arriving. The purpose is to guide a colored ball with a mallet of the same color through a series of pickets until you reach the end post. This game takes a little bit of skill, so it may not be suitable for younger children.

Water Balloon Toss: Expect someone to get wet, if not soaked, in this game – which may be a good thing if it’s extremely hot outside. Break the children up into pairs and give each of them a water balloon. Have the pairs start off close together tossing the balloon back and forth, stepping back one step after each successful catch. The person who wins is the last person to toss the balloon before it bursts.

These Fourth of July yard games for children aren’t only for this holiday. In fact, they can be played at any time of the year. They are tried and true games that children have enjoyed for years. Why not make them a part of your patriotic celebration. They’re sure to entertain until the firework show begins.

Can you guess what kind of flower each verse in this poem is referring to? You’re never too old to learn what giving Tulips to your beloved really means! Guests will definitely be challenged to complete this poem! Start printing as soon as you order!