July 4th 2020: How to Stay Connected in Celebration While Staying Home

May 29, 2020 by Aubrey Meister

This year, many events and holidays look a little bit different due to the coronavirus stay-at-home orders. Already, some July 4th festivals and parades are canceled, which means many people are celebrating in non-traditional ways. 

Because things are different, you might have a hard time finding something to do this year. To help you out, take a look at this list of ideas for celebrating July 4th at home. And don't forget to browse our selection of the best 4th of July coupons if you need to do some shopping.

How to Properly Celebrate July 4th 2020 from Home

Virtual July 4th Zoom BBQ with Friends

Set a time and host a Zoom call for all your closest friends. You can each have your own BBQ at home while sharing conversations via video chat. Try to coordinate your menus so that everyone is grilling up the same type of food. If you want to, you can even send out invitations and create your own Independence Day playlist. When it’s time for the BBQ to start, head outside, enjoy your food, and catch up with your friends virtually. 

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Watch an Independence Day-Themed Movie

There are plenty of movies that have an Independence Day or American feel to them. You can find these movies on streaming services or rent them online for just a few dollars. Pop some popcorn and gather around the TV with your family. Bonus points for creating a Netflix Party and chatting with your friends and family while you share in a movie! Here are a few July 4th movie recommendations: 

• Hamilton comes to Disney+ on July 3. The musical is about Alexander Hamilton, so it’s perfectly fitting for the patriotic holiday. 

• The Sandlot checks all the boxes when it comes to America. It features baseball, pool parties, BBQs, and more. 

• Forrest Gump is another film that features plenty of America’s history. The movie includes major moments from the 20th century. 

• Independence Day only makes sense to be added to your July 4th movie list. It features 4th of July celebrations being hijacked by alien forces. 

Look for Virtual 4th of July Events

Some cities have moved their July 4th festivities to an online platform. Even if your city isn’t hosting one, you can tune in to another city’s livestream. Grand Park in Los Angeles has decided to host its block party virtually. The event will feature music, cooking demonstrations, comedy, and more. More details will be released closer to July 4th. 

America-Themed DIY Arts and Crafts

There are countless July 4th-themed crafts to try. You can make banners and signs to hang around the house. Another idea is to make cup launchers with paper cups and rubber bands. You could also make fingerprint flag cards to send to friends and relatives. Patriotic pinwheels are a fun project and make great decorations too. Do it over a Zoom chat with friends and you have yourself a virtual party!

Watch Videos of Fireworks and Parades

Thanks to the Internet, you can easily track down videos of parades and fireworks from previous July 4th celebrations. You can also look for general fireworks videos to find even more impressive fireworks shows. YouTube is a great place to start. Gather around with those in your household and take part in the festivities from the comfort of your home. If participating with friends online, let each person pick a new video to watch as you take turns going through past celebrations. Here's a good video to get you started.

Spend Some Time Outdoors

As long as you maintain social-distancing guidelines, it’s safe to hang out outside. You could go tent camping for July 4th weekend or you might enjoy kayaking or fishing. You could even go on a picnic! Spending time outside is the perfect way to enjoy the warm summer weather on the festive holiday. 

Host a Zoom Game Night

Prepare a few July 4th-themed games and gather your friends and/or family for some virtual fun. You can include US history trivia, for example. Another idea is a patriotic costume contest. Then, invite some friends to join a Zoom call and enjoy. Even if you aren’t hanging out in person, you can mail prizes to the winners!