With brightly colored decorations, picnics, yard games, swimming, friends and family, and a finale of fireworks, kids just might think the Fourth of July is the best kind of a birthday celebration. We’ve sourced some of our easy, perfect for the Fourth of July recipes to prove those kids right. And this year, the nation’s 250th falls on a Saturday, so get ready for a big weekend of food, fun — and easy recipes!
Quick and Easy Fourth of July Treats All Kids Will Love
Paleta Popsicles
Paleta popsicles — aka Mexican ice pops — will bring out the best in your kids’ favorite fruit — choose from pineapple, mango, strawberry, or kiwi, frozen or fresh, and blend with a few ingredients. These pops could also be called the Parenta Pops, as the frozen confection can be added to a vodka soda, with the pop slowly melting into the drink. Cheers!
Breakfast Smoothie Pops
While these pops — with oats and protein powder — are great for an on-the-go morning, they also fit the bill as a healthy midday snack that won’t cause your kids’ energy to crash. And they might not even know that this treat has spinach as a main ingredient. Shhhh.
Homemade Bomb Pops
Okay, the last popsicle recipe — ’tis the season! — is a hit with both kids and parents alike. Kids love the colorful, creamy layers and bright stripes, while parents appreciate the healthy, real ingredients like yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, and honey. It’s easy to make too — all it takes is a little time.
Watermelon Juice
Kids love watermelon; kids love fruit juices, so this concoction seems like a summer-treat no-brainer. This can be a fun recipe to ask for their help with, as kids might find a certain novelty to the process of cutting, cooking, juicing — and then slurping down that giant watermelon.
Fourth of July Dessert Kabobs
This quick picnic dessert is fun to make with kids, and can be customized to the audience. The “white” portion of the kabob can be pound cake, powdered donut holes, marshmallows, or banana chunks (if you serve soon after you make them). Watermelon could replace strawberries.
Easy Twix Cake
Sometimes, no matter the occasion, chocolate is the answer. And this no-bake cake has all the fun of your kids’ favorite candy bars and all the delight of cool whip and pudding in one 9 x 13 dish. If you are so inspired, one quick swap-in could make this a Snickers cake.
Easy Fruit Dip
When your family gets invited to a picnic and you’re short on prep time — which, let’s be honest, most parents are — turn a simple fruit platter into an interactive experience by adding a dip. Our choice dip is a bit sweet, a bit tart, a bit tangy, and very complementary to any fruit suits your Fourth of July wishes!
Easy Sour Cream Cookies
These fresh treats come together quickly — and if you’re short on time, skip the meringue topping and instead add a dollop of whipped cream with a perfect raspberry, or finish with a quick dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa.
Story by Lauri Gravina
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