Staley Dental Ideas for Celebrating the 4th of July

It’s summertime, people of Boise! And that means the 4th of July is right around the corner. If everyone is looking at you for inspiration on how to make this year’s celebrations extra special, you’ve come to the right place. Here are seven ideas from Staley Dental to make your Independence Day celebrations a blast.

Watch the 4th of July fireworks show.

Bring some blankets and chairs to Ann Morrison Park and watch the 4th of July fireworks show. The event starts at around 10 pm but you can show up earlier to walk, ride a bike, or have a picnic during the day. Just remember not to come with any fireworks or sparklers from home. Also, carry a flashlight to light your way as you exit the park after the show.

Go camping in the woods.

What better way to celebrate America’s birthday than going back to our roots and spending the day surrounded by nature — Boise style? Right here in our backyard, we have the breathtaking Boise National Forest; it’s perfect for lakeside camping, cabin camping, and anything in between that doesn’t require a reservation. If you’d like a shorter nature adventure, then Queens River Campground may just be the place that makes your Independence day celebrations one for the books. Now all these may sound too outdoorsy for anyone looking for some pampering after the year we’ve had! For those families, we recommend taking a break from your usual routine and driving to the Smoky Mountains so you can recharge in the solar-powered yurts and enjoy one-on-one time with your loved ones with minimal distractions.

BBQ and chill.

There’s just something about the 4th of July that makes anyone with extraordinary barbecue skills want to put on an apron and fire up the grill. Maybe it’s because you can’t go wrong with burgers and hot dogs or just our forefathers’ hunger for freedom still ringing in our blood — we can’t know for sure. What we do know is that it’s every grill master’s dream to make delicious meals that can handle the spotlight. This year that means mastering the triple-marinade-dip, slashing hot dogs right in the middle to make them extra crispy, and using a cooling rack on your grill so you never lose a single pea to the coals again.

Picnic at the park.

Picnics are a classic, no-fail concept: pack your red, white, and blue desserts, favorite salad, corn on the cob, or make-ahead sandwiches and head to the park. Pick a spot near the green belt so the kids can have plenty of areas to explore as you enjoy a peaceful, relaxing day. Hint: Don’t forget to pack some board games and puzzles. Chances are at some point the kids will get exhausted from running around or it gets too hot for outdoor play.

Plan a scavenger hunt.

Celebrating the 4th of July with a scavenger hunt is the perfect way for the whole family to have fun and also learn the history of our nation’s independence. You can do this at the family barbecue or while everyone’s waiting for the fireworks to start. To help you get started with the planning, download and print this Scavenger Hunt and Clue Cards. Or use kid-friendly resources like the biographies of United States presidents or this online encyclopedia to find interesting facts on the history of America’s birthday so you can create your own clue card.

Make chalk art.

Kids love coloring with chalk — and so do adults. We can’t think of a reason why you shouldn’t celebrate Independence Day this year by making great art on your sidewalk. Create fun Statue of Liberty photo concepts or use homemade stencils to add colorful shapes to your lawn that show off your patriotic spirit. Or have a family chalk art contest to see how creative your kids can get with a canvas of concrete. Even if you’re not very creative, chalk art is very forgiving. With these step-by-step tutorials, it won’t be long before everyone feels like an artist.

Throw a pool party.

A pool party is a fun way to entertain the kids on the 4th of July. You’ll get a much-needed respite from the heat and the best part — the pool itself can handle most of the entertaining. Just add a couple of red, white, and blue diving sticks or flag-painted floating devices to add an Independence Day theme to your party.

Take care of your teeth.

Independence Day celebrations come with lots of sugary snacks, acidic drinks, and frosty cocktails — everything that’s bad for your teeth. While it’s not our intention to put a damper on your celebrations, your oral health matters to Staley Dental. You may not have time to brush during the festivities but chewing on sugarless gum or drinking a lot of water can help wash away some of the leftover particles in your mouth. Remember to also brush your teeth before bed and if your six-month dental checkup is due or you have an oral issue, feel free to fill out this online form to schedule an appointment at our Boise, ID dental office. Happy 4th of July, Boise!