The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. With a little planning and a lot of red, white, and blue, you can organize a fun "patriotic party." Here are some ideas to get started:
Create a Penny Pendant
For each pendant cut out three stars, each one a little bigger. Use red, white and blue construction paper. The white star looks the best in the center. Glue each star together, lastly gluing the shinny penny (Lincoln side up) in the middle of the smallest star. Punch a hole near the top of the stars. Thread yarn through the pendant and knot it at the top.
Make a Flag
Have the children paint six craft sticks red, and five sticks white. Glue these in place alternating colors on a piece of cardboard. Brush a block of blue in the upper left hand corner. Invite the children to place sticker stars in this block. To hang, punch two holes into the top part of the cardboard and thread a piece of yarn for the hanger. This flag is not truly authentic, but the children will learn about the colors and formation of the American flag.
A Mural to Remember
Bring out the artistic side of the celebrants by setting out colored chalk and inviting them to draw a Fourth of July sidewalk mural. Get all the children involved. They might try their hand at a colorful fireworks display, or as a team, create a giant American flag. If you have a sunny dry July, your sidewalk show of patriotism could keep the spirit of the Fourth alive for weeks. If a quick cleanup is necessary, a little soap and the garden hose will do the job well.
A Day of Marches and Parades
Hold a star-spangled parade to get the kids and spectators in the patriotic spirit. The children can decorate bicycles, tricycles, wagons and even toddler push toys to merrily march down the block. Use streamers (crepe paper or ribbons), flags, and balloons to show off America's colors. Why not decorate the baby stroller and let your little one participate too? As a group project, older kids can thread red, white and blue streamers through a chain link fence to make a flag.
Happy Birthday USA
Discuss that the Fourth of July is the day when Americans celebrate the birthday of their country. Build upon the idea that a birthday cake is a major part of this celebration, so provide the kids with vanilla frosted cupcakes. Set out shakers of red and blue sugar crystals for decorating. Here's a cute poem to recite together:
Some birthdays come in winter, some birthdays come in spring.
On birthdays there are games to play and lots of songs to sing.
My favorite birthday is in July, and it doesn't belong to me.
It's the birthday that lights up the sky for all the world to see.
Rockets glare, trumpets blare, and bands begin to play.
Happy Birthday America-It's Independence Day!
(Author Unknown)
"Pop, Bang, Boom" Cupcakes
Bake cupcakes according to your favorite recipe or box mix. Purchase a candy called "pop rocks" (they can be found in packages in specialty candy stores). Gently fold these into the frosting. Frost the cupcakes. When the pop rocks hit your tongue, they start popping. What a fun surprise for "kids of all ages"!
Just as you celebrate birthdays of family members, use this day to have a birthday party for our country. Get the kids involved in activities relating to this historic event and make this a "sparkling" holiday.
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