My kids associate the Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecue, more than anything else. They know it is their country’s birthday, yes, and of course that it needs to be celebrated. Why not mark the occasion with some fun Fourth of July activities, crafts and merry-making, along with letting the children know what exactly Fourth of July is all about?
Dodge the Balloon
Dodge the Balloon
This game is fun if there is a large group of kids (at least 5-8). Divide the kids into two equal groups. Each child should be handed a towel, to be used as a slingshot to throw water-filled balloons at the opposing team members. Make sure the balloons are in the colors of the American flag – red, white or blue. The goal of the game is to dodge being hit by the balloons. Every time a child is hit by a balloon, he or she is eliminated from the game. This way the number of players will keep reducing. By chance, if members of an entire team are eliminated, the opposing team is declared to be the winner. If not, then the last person to remain untouched by a balloon will be declared as the champion of this Fourth of July dodge ball contest.
Hand Print Card
Hand Print Card
Ideal for younger kids who love getting their hands and everything around them messy, this craft activity doubles up as a patriotic greeting card that can be sent to family and friends on the occasion of Fourth of July. Using acrylic paints and a flat paint brush, you need to paint out the American flag on your child’s palm. Ask him to sit still while you fill in dark blue on the lowermost outer corner of the palm, followed by alternating red and white stripes on the remaining hand and fingers. Now take a plain white craft paper and ask your child to press his palm onto it (make sure he doesn’t rub it in and spoil the print altogether; just a hand impression will do). Cut this square out using a pair of scissors and allow your kid to paste it onto a thicker folded cardboard (that opens like a greeting card). Write in your message within and you’re ready with a hand print Fourth of July card to be sent to your folks. Once the paint is relatively dry, don’t forget to draw stars in white on the dark blue corner though!
Songs and Rhymes
Songs and Rhymes
In order to let the relatively younger children know and realize the significance of the day, it is a good idea to sing aloud and along with them simple Fourth of July songs and rhymes in the tunes of the nursery rhymes they are already familiar with. For instance, it could be: ‘It’s our country’s birthday, birthday, birthday. It’s our country’s birthday, on the Fourth of July!’ sung to London Bridge is Falling Down, or ‘Fireworks go snap, snap, snap! Crack, crack, crack; zap, zap, zap! Fireworks make me clap, clap, clap; on Independence Day!’ sung to Mary Had A Little Lamb, and likewise.
Wish to add any more ideas to this list? Happy Fourth of July to you all!
Wish to add any more ideas to this list? Happy Fourth of July to you all!