Skip to main content

Celebrate Fourth of July with these patriotic Alexa skills

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.

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?”

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

Keyan Riddick
Keyan Riddick is a freelance writer based in the mountains on North Carolina. When he isn't writing you can find him behind…
The best video doorbells for 2024
A person pressing the Arlo Video Doorbell.

A video doorbell is a great upgrade for your front door, allowing you to see (and greet) guests whether you're at home or away on vacation. They also record and store motion events — offering added peace of mind and an additional layer of security to your property.

Today, the best video doorbells include the Google Nest Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell, and Wyze Video Doorbell v2, among others. While these all offer their own advantages and unique features, they also all capture high-quality footage, are easy to use, and are reliable enough to last you several years before needing to be replaced.

Read more
The best smart blinds for Google Home, Alexa, and HomeKit
Tilt My Smart Roller Shades

Ask anyone about their smart blinds, and you'll hear a variety of reasons why they love them. Some rave about the privacy benefits they offer, closing reliably every night. Others boast about the eco-friendly benefits—keeping the sun out means less AC usage and lower electric bills. Still, most people appreciate the ability to keep their blinds closed every night while still waking up to naturally opened blinds in the morning.

But finding the perfect smart blinds isn't as simple as choosing based on your preferences. While some focus on energy efficiency, most offer a mix of these perks. The real challenge lies in ensuring your blinds fit seamlessly into your home, both physically and digitally. And if you're after specific styles, quality products can be harder to find.

Read more
The best air purifiers for mold, selected by experts
A Levoit Core 300 sitting on a console table.

As laid out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) molds can be found almost anywhere and can grow on virtually any substance where moisture is present. That means materials like wood, paper, carpet, drywall, and even foods -- all of which you'll find in the average dwelling, including yours. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure are respiratory-related, like asthma or allergic reactions. In other words, indoor air quality has a huge impact on your health and well-being, despite the fact that most of us spend a majority of our time indoors, locked away from fresh, clean air. Having one of the best air purifiers for mold can help, but here's why.
Proper ventilation and exhaust is the key to remediating and preventing mold, particularly when it comes to dehumidifying an area. But while mold is a concern, there are many other harmful particles or pollutants that make it indoors from mycotoxins to pollen, viruses, and bacteria. Do air purifiers work? The short answer is yes. In fact, one of the more effective ways to remove a lot of these pollutants is with an air purifier, or more specifically, a HEPA-rated air purifier. Virtually all air purifiers offer coverage for a pre-determined space, anywhere from as small as 100 square feet to over 1,500 square feet -- it depends on the model.
To start, let's take a closer look at some of the best air purifiers for mold on the market. Then, we'll explore how they work and how you can find the best one for your family and home.

The Best Air Purifiers for Mold

Read more