From handmade fireworks decorations to a round of "The Red, White and Blue Game," these ideas for crafts, games and activities are a great way for kids to celebrate the 4th of July.
1. Hanging Fireworks
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
Kids can make these hanging fireworks to decorate for the holiday, and parents can hang them from the ceiling indoors, or outside from deck rails, fence posts or the spokes of a patio umbrella. Learn how to make them here.
2. July 4th Jar Lanterns
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
These patriotic jar lanterns can be used to light up your patio, dinner table or even line a path to the entrance of your party. Mason jars, tissue paper, ribbon and flameless candles are all kids need to create this simple, yet lovely 4th of July craft. Learn how to make one here.
3. Tabletop Coloring
A roll of white paper, rolled out over a tabletop gives kids a chance to decorate their own 4th of Juy “tablecloth” with items such as red, white and blue crayons and markers, along with patriotic stencils, stickers and rubber stamps.4. Tin Can Wind Chimes
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
Kids can enjoy recycling old tin cans into an adorable, July 4th craft. Just clean and remove the labels from the cans to prepare them for painting with red, white and blue paints. Add crepe paper or ribbon streamers (use ribbon if you plan to leave the wind chimes hanging outside in rainy weather) to the bottom, and tie the cans together with ribbon. Hang this creation in a place where kids can admire their work and enjoy the sound the cans make as they clank together in the wind.
5. Red, White and Blue Game
A game that requires no props, yet still celebrates the colors of America, the “Red White and Blue Game” begins with players sitting in a circle, either on the ground or around the party table. The first player starts by naming something that is red, such as an apple. The next player in the circle names something that is white, and the third player names something blue. The fourth person starts again by naming something red. Play continues in this manner, but players must not repeat an item that has already been said. When a player repeats an answer or takes more than five seconds to come up with something, he is out of the game. The game keeps going until one person is left as the winner.6. Lawn Stars
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
Cut the shape of a star out of the center of a piece of cardboard. Place the stencil on the grass and have kids shake flour from a sifter into the shape. Remove the cardboard to reveal the flour lawn stars.
7. Patriotic Chalkboard
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
Recycle an old picture frame into a 4th of July chalkboard. Paint the frame red and blue, and then add white, stenciled stars. Cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside the frame, and paint it with chalkboard paint. Place the chalkboard inside of the frame, and hang it or prop it on an easel. Supply kids with red, white and blue chalk with which to doodle celebratory drawings, play Independence Day pictionary or write 4th of July greetings.
8. Make Pinwheels
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
Use red white and blue supplies to create homemade pinwheels. Once completed, pinwheels are great for kid-play (like when carried in a backyard, 4th of July parade), or can be used as decorations in a flower vase, planter box or staked in the ground.
9. Fireworks Paintings
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
To make this 4th of July party craft, kids splatter paint onto construction paper, and then shake on some glitter for sparkle. You can hang them on a clothesline above the party space where guests can enjoy the images as the paint dries.
10. July 4th Desserts
Image ©Christine Gauvreau
For a sweet celebration, have kids help out with the desserts. An ice cream bar with red, white and blue toppings, 4th of July smores and whoopie pies are just a few simple items kids will be happy to help make -- and even happier to eat! Read More
