Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Guides

Celebrate Fourth of July with these patriotic Alexa skills

Keyan Riddick
By

Fourth of July is coming soon, and what’s the point of having a smart assistant if not to help you through the holidays? Amazon’s Alexa is one of the most well-versed smart assistants thanks to all the skills it can learn to entertain you, inform you, or control other household devices.

Did you know Alexa knows over 100,000 skills? We’ve picked out the best ones to know to help and entertain you and your guests this Independence Day. These skills have been tested by our team, are regularly updated, and are rated high enough for you to trust them to be accurate in their description.

Recommended Videos

Further reading

Alexa can check the date

Echo Show 5 on a nightstand showing the time.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

To start with a simple skill, Alexa can ensure today is July Fourth. With the Fourth of July Checker skill, you can ensure that you aren’t celebrating too early or too late. As its description says, this skill is for the most “inquisitive minds and insatiable curiosities.” You can find out by asking, “Alexa, is it July 4th yet?”

Related

Alexa can tell you the history of the holiday

A hand holding an American flag with a sparkler firework.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want to learn more about the history of Independence Day, then there’s a skill for you, aptly named Fourth of July facts. With a simple request such as, “Give me a July Fourth fact,” Alexa will give you information about the history of the holiday and fireworks celebration. Then, use this knowledge to impress others with your smarts.

Alexa can quiz you on your founding father knowledge

Hamilton cast on stage singing a song.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

With the Hamilquiz skill, Alexa will test your knowledge on how well you know your American history, specifically of Alexander Hamilton. Ask for this skill by saying, “Alexa, open Hamilton quiz.”

Alexa can simulate fireworks

A showing of 4th of July fireworks.
totojang1977 / 123RF Stock Photo

In the past, Alexa had a skill (that’s since been removed) that would show a fireworks display on-screen. Now, the assistant can play firework sounds to give some ambient celebratory audio if the fireworks in your area have ceased. A simple skill named Fireworks will play the audio by saying, “Alexa, start fireworks.”

Alexa can change your lights to red, white, and blue

A couple laying down looking at an Amazon Echo with lights turned on.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alexa can change the color of your Philips Hue smart lights via the manufacturer’s skill. In the Philips Hue app, you can select themes that can either change your lights to red, white, and blue or simulate fireworks flashing. In addition, you can pair this skill with the previous skill to feel like fireworks are being shot off around your home.

Alexa can play your favorite Fourth of July playlist

Echo Show 5 playing music.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you want to listen to the most patriotic playlist, Amazon has you covered with its playlist titled The Ultimate Independence Day Mix for 4th of July. This Amazon Music playlist includes songs such as Party in the USA and Breakfast in America. You could also use Alexa to play music from other supported music apps like Spotify or Pandora.

Alexa can give you details about the weather

Echo Show 8 on a wooden table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alexa can natively tell you about the weather in your area, but if you want to get more details about specific weather events and temperatures, use the skill Big Sky. This skill uses the tomorrow.io API to feed Alexa accurate and real-time weather information. For example, “Alexa, ask Big Sky if it will rain,” is one of the ways to get the assistant to tell you more about your environment.

Alexa can help you cook

Echo Show 5 in the kitchen beside vegetables.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are bound to be plenty of Fourth of July cookouts complete with burgers, hotdogs, and more. The Best Recipes skill will teach you a thing or two if you are craving to try a new dish. This skill can use ingredients you already have on hand to find a dish to make or can give you something entirely random to try. All you have to say is, “Alexa, tell Best Recipes I’m hungry,” and watch the skill work its magic.

Alexa can be your mixologist

Echo Show 10 in the kitchen.
Amazon Echo Show 10. Image used with permission by copyright holder

With the Mr. Bartender skill, Alexa can tell you how to make the perfect drink. Then, at the end of the night, after fireworks and cookouts are finished, say, “Alexa, open Mister Bartender,” and whip something up to impress yourself or your guests.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Keyan Riddick
Keyan Riddick
Smart Home Author
Keyan Riddick is a freelance writer based in the mountains on North Carolina. When he isn't writing you can find him behind…
Can you use a Blink Outdoor Camera without a subscription?
Blink Outdoor cam wet from the rain.

For security and peace of mind around your home, a Blink Outdoor Camera is one of the most popular choices for keeping an eye on your property. The outdoor cameras have features like motion detection, a Live View which lets you see what is going on at your property right from your smartphone, and an Activity Zones option that lets you choose which areas of your property you want to record -- which is handy if you live near a busy street where cars could constantly set off annoying motion detection notifications. The recently released Blink Outdoor 4 has improved on these features to make them even better than the previous Blink Outdoor 3.

Like most home security systems, Blink operates on a subscription plan, with a monthly charge starting at $3 to use the service. But if you don't want to pay for the charge, you might want to try using the cameras without the subscription -- though there will be some severe limitations if you do.
Does the Blink Outdoor Camera require a subscription to use?

Read more
The best pool robot vacuums
The Dolphin Premier on top of pool water.

Tired of the constant upkeep required to keep your pool in good condition? While there are some aspects that are hard to automate (such as chemical treatments or maintaining pumps and skimmers), you can delegate vacuuming to a reliable robot assistant. Pool robot vacuums have seen big improvements over the past few years, and they make it easier than ever to keep your pool looking brand new.

Built to run autonomously after a brief setup, pool robot vacuums will suck up all the dirt and debris lingering in the water. Most can run for over an hour before needing to be recharged or come with a wired connection for constant use. All of them are equipped with a variety of filters and scrubbers, ensuring your pool looks pristine the next time you go for a swim.

Read more
What is Home Depot’s Hubspace?
The Hubspace app shown in front of a living room.

Hubspace is Home Depot's version of the connected smart home. It was designed to give users a simple way to set up smart home products, while also ensuring its catalog of products remains affordable. It's similar to Google Home or Amazon Alexa, though it also integrates with these platforms to provide additional functionality.

Interested in picking up Hubspace gadgets for your home? Here's a look at everything you need to know.
What is Hubspace?

Read more