These patriotic fourth of July activities for kids deliver red, white, and blue summer fun, all from the comfort of your home! With at-home party ideas, children’s crafts and recipes this celebration guide will fill your home with laughter and joy. Independence Day is a perfect time to not only celebrate America’s freedom but to teach kids about why we celebrate. Fourth of July-inspired kids’ crafts and activities build excitement and bring the family together. Introduce American concepts to kids of all ages like the American flag, fireworks, our patriotic colors, the Declaration of Independence, and America’s fifty states. Try a few items on this list or do them all!
7 Fourth of July Activities for Kids
Pretend Play with the Declaration of Independence
Teach kids about the signing of the Declaration of Independence—an important event for America’s freedom. Buy a feather or find a bird feather in your backyard. Shape the end of the feather to a point. Now you have a quill feather—the exact writing tool used to sign the Declaration! Dip the quill into ink and have kids write with it. By using it, kids learn how the Declaration was written and how people historically used writing materials.
Have a Fourth of July Family Party
Celebrate with your immediate family and plan a fun fourth of July party! Nibble on red, white, and blue-themed snacks while lunch cooks on the grill. Hit play on your patriotic songs playlist and have a dance party outside. Throw in some balloons and streamers for extra fun. If the kids are too little for small fireworks, use glowsticks to light up the night! Your party doesn’t have to be elaborate. Little touches make the day special.
Fourth of July Recipe: Frozen Yogurt Stars and Stripes
Whip up a tasty treat with simple ingredients! This basic recipe is something kids can help make. To make your own red, white, and blue frozen yogurt you’ll need:
- Vanilla yogurt
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Chocolate syrup
- Chocolate chips
- Star-shaped cookie cutter
- Graham crackers
- Knife
- Insulated ice cream storage tub
Put vanilla yogurt into an insulated ice cream storage tub. This is a perfect way to use up yogurt in your fridge that will go bad soon! Cut strawberries into star shapes using a knife or mini star-shaped cutter. Cut another batch of strawberries into long strips like flag stripes. Sprinkle the strawberries, blueberries, and chocolate chips into the yogurt and carefully mix. Drizzle chocolate syrup on top. Put into the freezer overnight. Eat it plain or put between two graham crackers to make a frozen yogurt sandwich. Enjoy your American flag-inspired frozen yogurt on Independence Day!
Learn about America with Children’s Storybooks and Games.
Introduce kids to the beauty of America on this most patriotic holiday! Children’s books and games make learning fun. A personalized children’s book such as My U.S.A. Road Trip is engaging and educational. Personalized with the child’s name, state, and photo, this custom book teaches young kids about all fifty states as they travel across America. Board games can also introduce basic concepts to young kids. A custom board game such as Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. introduces children to America’s coasts and their important landmarks.
Firework T-Shirt Craft
Capture the colorful beauty of 4th of July fireworks onto a handmade t-shirt! Kids can make these shirts the day before and wear them on the holiday. To make these shirts you’ll need:
- White t-shirts
- Fabric paint (red, white, and blue)
- Glitter
- Fork or pipe cleaners
- Paper plates
Squirt paint onto paper plates. To spread the paint, you can use a fork or connect three pipe cleaners together. Use your finger and put a small paint dot onto the shirt. This will be the center of your firework. Dip the fork or pipe cleaners into the paints. Spread paint from that dot outward in a semi-circle. Continue this motion until you come full circle. Now you have a red, white, and blue-painted firework! Make it sparkle by sprinkling glitter over the paint. Paint fireworks all over the shirt and leave out in the sun to dry. Wear your shirt with pride and honor America’s independence!
Confetti Launcher Fourth of July Craft
Celebrate Independence Day with a bang and make these confetti launchers! Kids will love shooting confetti into the sky! These launchers are especially perfect for toddlers who understand the idea of fireworks but are too young to launch real ones. To make this 4th of July craft you’ll need:
- Toilet paper tubes
- Balloons
- Tape
- Construction paper (try using biodegradable confetti or leaves as an environmentally-friendly alternative)
- Scissors
Cut paper into confetti-sized squares. Try purchasing biodegradable confetti as an alternative. You can also use a hole puncher to cut confetti out of leaves! Set your confetti aside. Decorate the toilet paper tubes. Kids can use colored markers, glitter glue, and any other craft supplies. Cut a balloon in half and tie off the end (discard the top part of the balloon). Wrap the larger balloon end over one end of the tub and tape it in place. Put the confetti into the tube. To launch your confetti, point the tube upward, pull back on the balloon end and send it flying! Simulates the effects of blasting off fireworks, but safe for little hands!
Resources:
https://www.today.com/parents/why-fireworks-fun-ways-teach-kids-history-july-4-t100432
http://www.piikeastreet.com/2012/07/confetti-launchers/
