Freedom to Play and Connect

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Unplugged Perspective

Independence Day is one of the best holidays for making memories with your kids. One thing that’s great about it is how laid-back it feels. There’s less pressure to pull off a perfect gathering or bounce between extended family. Just a good excuse to spend time outside, eat something grilled, and let the kids get soaked.

The Fourth has everything great about summer: hot afternoons by the lake or pool, smoky air from backyard barbecues, and the kind of simple traditions that bring people together.

When I was a kid, we would sometimes have neighborhood parades where everyone decorated bikes with streamers and flags. Parents decked out strollers. Dogs wore bandanas. It wasn’t fancy, but it was fun, and we looked forward to it.

Whether you’re headed to a big event or just hanging in the backyard, this week’s issue has a few unplugged ideas to help make the Fourth fun, easy, and meaningful.

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The Unplugged Idea: 4th Fun

Neighborhood Parade

Transform any wheeled contraption into a patriotic masterpiece. Bikes, strollers, wagons, scooters: if it rolls, it's fair game. Construction paper works perfectly for streamers and flags, but paper plates are your secret weapon. They're sturdy enough for enthusiastic decorating, and you'll probably have extras on hand for the BBQ later anyway. Let the kids go wild with tape, markers, and imagination.

Glow Stick Magic

Skip the sparklers and grab some glow sticks instead: no burned fingers, no waiting until 10 p.m. for darkness. Just close the blinds in any room and you've got instant nighttime magic. Crack those glow sticks, crank up some patriotic tunes, and let the kids have their own red, white, and blue dance party. Bonus: you can do this multiple times throughout the day whenever energy levels need a boost.

Patriotic People Watching

Turn any outing into a game by spotting the most creative Fourth of July fashion. Who looks the most like a walking flag? Can you find someone channeling their inner cowboy or going full Paul Revere? Make it a friendly competition: first person to spot someone wearing head-to-toe stars and stripes wins. It's a great way to appreciate the fun spirit of the holiday while you're out and about.

Water Balloon Bullseye

Set up targets using chalk circles on the driveway or fence, or arrange containers at different distances for varying difficulty levels. Use traditional water balloons or the reusable ones if you want to skip the cleanup. For the ultimate challenge, take turns being human targets, but here's the rule: no moving once the balloon is airborne. You have to stand perfectly still and take whatever splash is coming your way. Fair warning: this one usually ends with everyone soaked and laughing.

Unplugged Wrap Up

The Fourth of July doesn't need to be perfect to be memorable. The freedom we celebrate is exactly what makes this day so special: the freedom to choose how you spend it with your kids. Whether it's a bike parade around the block or a glow stick dance party in the living room, the best memories come from simply being together. Put the screens aside, pick an idea that sounds fun, and make this Independence Day your own.

-Ted

P.S. I’d love to hear what your Fourth of July looks like. Got a favorite tradition or a spontaneous moment that turned into a memory? Hit reply and tell me about it.

P.P.S. Know a dad who’d like this? Forward it to him and share the fun.