When you gather for your July 4th celebration,

you set-up tables for Food, Drinks & Eating… right?

But, when it’s time to play games or light fireworks,

do you sometimes find yourself running around, looking for the pieces & parts,

so the fun can begin?

Then, here’s a great suggestion…

create a “PLAY-station” table for all of the FUN activities too, like

Yard Game Accessories

Sparklers (and a candle or lighter)

a “quick drink” like…

Refreshing Cucumber (slice)-infused Ice Water, and Cups

and a few decorations too, of course! ;-D

Lay out everything on a table size that fits your quantity of game accessories & fireworks.

Include a simple beverage (like water) as a 2nd place for your guests to refresh themselves.

Having a separate area, away from all the food, creates easy-access entertainment for anyone

who wants to play games or participate in the fun of fireworks.

Also, because a July 4th celebration typically goes on well into the night, don’t forget to look for ways to light-up the table.

Start with a centerpiece!

Check out this easy D.I.Y. solar-powered sparkly, patriotic centerpiece.

I found almost everything (to create it) at the Dollar Store:

Red, Cylinder-shape, Metal Container ($1)

Bag of Sand ($1)

(Please use your imagination here because I had an airhead moment &

forgot to take a photo of this before putting it in the container}

Piece of styrofoam ($1)

3-pack of Plastic, Red, White & Blue Pinwheels ($1)

5 Metallic Red, White & Blue Pinwheel Tops ($5)

Here’s how those look (front & back), once you remove them from their display stakes:

3 solar-powered Red, White & Blue yard stake lights

to create additional lighting at the PLAY-station ($3)

and

1 (2-foot) Sparkler Spray (Hobby Lobby @ 40% off = $3.60)

{I just had to include this… it looks like fireworks!}

TOTAL:  $15.60

Here’s the DIY instructions:

1)  Place the sand inside cylinder container (for stability).

2)  Place the metal container, upside down, on top of the styrofoam & trace around it.

3)  Cut-out the styrofoam circle (using a dull knife) and place it inside the top of your container.

{The styrofoam circle will be slightly larger than the cylinder opening,

so you will need to use a little force to push it into the container opening.

But, because of its tight fit, the styrofoam will stay in place, near the top of the container,

giving you a surface area to insert more decorations}

4)  Place the large Sparkler Spray in the center of the styrofoam & push it in so the stem can no longer be seen.

5)  Remove the metallic pinwheels from their (display) sticks and push them into the styrofoam,

facing outward & side-by-side, apx. 2″ from the outside edge.

6)  Although all of that would be enough, I also had a 3-pack of smaller red, white & blue

pinwheels so I tucked them in between the Sparkler Spray & metallic pinwheels tops.

7) Between the Sparkler Spray and the pinwheels, push-in the 3 solar-powered patriotic stake lights,

spacing them equally apart.

Here’s a close-up photo of the assembly, in progress, to help guide you:

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!

For even more lighting at my PLAY-station,

I replaced the votive candle holders (normally inside this outdoor candelier) with 3 battery-operated, lighted, paper lanterns.

At the dollar store, you will also find a 2-pack of red & blue bandannas.

These not only make great napkins for your guests to use, while eating,

but are also great for adding patriotic spirit to drink containers…

and puppies! LOL

Also add your fireworks as well as a candle and/or lighter to the table…

Any yard game accessories…

and a refreshing container of water…

your Patriotic Centerpiece, a paper garland and light-up paper lanterns are the final touches

to ready your Patriotic PLAY-station for the big celebration!

HAPPY 4th!

P.S.  Don’t forget to check out my previous “Patriotic” posts,

under the PATRIOTIC HOLIDAYS Category (located on the HOME PAGE)!