In all honesty, planning an adequate Fourth of July cookout isn’t too difficult: get a grill, make some food, invite some friends, and sit around and eat. But to host a cookout that really stands out, you need to be willing to do a little extra work to prepare for the party and keep your guests entertained. Thankfully, it’s easier than it sounds. Consider including these fun details in your cookout to make an Independence Day party your guests won’t soon forget.

Get Your Decorations on Point

They may not seem like much, but the right decorations can have a subtle yet distinctive effect on the proceedings. Luckily, you don’t need to spend all day with a hot-glue gun to achieve a little decorative inspiration. There are quite a few DIY decoration ideas that are perfect for your Fourth of July cookout and will surely get everyone in the mood to have a good time. And if you need help putting some of the decorations together, considering wrangling the children together for a fun crafts session.

Think Outside the Grill

Burgers, brats, and hot dogs are staples of the Independence Day cookout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment a little. Surprise your guests by bringing some unexpected tastes to the cookout, such as these smoked ribs glazed in cherries, currants, and onions. Or, for your vegetarian friends, consider grilling up some kebabs with vegetables and fruit. Yes, that’s right – strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi look especially good after spending a little time on the barbecue. Top it all off with some clever Fourth of July themed desserts to wow your guests.

Plan Activities to Keep Your Guests Entertained

There’s going to be some down time while your guests continue to arrive, the food is being cooked, and you’re all waiting for the fireworks show to begin. Some folks will be perfectly content to mix and mingle, but for your guests who want a little more activity, children especially, it wouldn’t hurt to have some activities planned out in advance. Consider some of these Fourth-appropriate games to hold during your party’s off-time. If all else fails, break out the bocce ball set.

Make Some Memories

If you’re planning to have a good time at your Independence Day cookout, why not strive to document some of the memories you’ll be making? Here’s an idea: leave out some disposable cameras and encourage your guests to take pictures of the proceedings. Better yet, if there are going to be sparklers around, you and your guests can try your hand at some sparkler photography. Try writing your names or even making a flag out of the sparkler light trails. It’s the perfect way to have some Fourth of July fun while also creating some keepsakes.

It doesn’t take a lot of work to make a get a good cookout going, but, with a little extra elbow grease, you can make your event unforgettable. Just be careful not to be too successful – then your guests will always be asking when your next party is!