Trash to Treasure Croquet

Add an easy, yet unexpected, event to your celebration by playing Trash to Treasure Croquet. You'll need croquet mallets and balls, but skip the standard wire wickets. Instead, look for household items and recyclables that a croquet ball could pass under or through, such as an oatmeal container with the top and bottom removed, a cereal box with a hole cut on each side to make a tunnel, a child's plastic chair, or a laundry detergent bottle with an arch cut from the bottom. Set up a course that circles the yard (so you don't whack any party guests) and uses at least a dozen creative wickets, including one brave parent with his or her feet spread wide.

Chalk One Up

Bring out the artistic side of your celebrants by setting out colored chalk and inviting them to draw a Fourth of July sidewalk mural. They might try their hand at colorful fireworks, or--as a team--create a giant American flag. The bigger kids can sketch the outline and work on the stars, while the younger ones can help with the stripes. If you have a sunny, dry July, your sidewalk show of patriotism could keep the spirit of the Fourth alive for weeks.