The 4th of July is nearly upon us – get the party started with fun treats and decorations that’ll pump up the patriotism at your house. All you need for a fantastic July 4th BBQ is good company, good food and these fun, festive decorations and sweet treats.
July 4th Cake Toppers Free printable cake toppers take the all-American Rice Crispy square or any cake, brownie or cupcake up an impressive notch. (via Kara’s Party Ideas)
DIY Rocket Garland Rocket poppers are a fun craft for the kids and are great fun when filled with confetti or make an adorable decoration when hung together as a festive garland. (via Simplified Bee)
Firecracker Favors Adorable candy-filled firecrackers make a great centerpiece and a simple take-home for your guests. (via Crafts Unleashed)
If you haven’t yet caught World Cup fever, it’s not too late to get in on the excitement and cheer for the home team. Team USA secured its place in the last 16 of the World Cup and will play Belgium on Tuesday, July 1 – just days before our nation celebrates its Independence Day. Kick up your family’s patriotism with these fun crafts. Cheer on our team in Tuesday’s game and again on the 4th when they’d make for great decorations for a family BBQ and awesome fanfare for a neighborhood bike parade.
Fun, festive crafts to cheer on Team USA and celebrate July 4th
These paper flag fansare festive and fun, and make for an easy craft to make with kids. Simply print the template and glue to sticks. Your kids will love them! (via Paging Super Mom)
It’s party time when you hang red, white and blue stars from the ceiling! We’re digging these star streamers. (via Spoonful)
Oh, the wonderful things you can do with duct tape! These patriotic duct tape banners are perfect if you’re lacking in craft supplies and need a simple, afternoon project. (via Becoming Simple)
Although a little messy, these paper rockets are a hit for kids! Not only can they decorate their own rockets, but who doesn’t love a confetti shower? (via Alpha Mom)
In no time at all, you’ll have your whole family cheering, “U-S-A! U-S-A!” How is your family celebrating the World Cup? Let us know in the comments!
Fire up your family’s patriotism with these fun craft and recipe ideas for celebrating the Fourth of July! We’ve rounded up two easy 4th of July crafts and two deliciously festive recipes.
Patriotic Bike Streamers via AlphaMom
Craft: DIY Patriotic Streamers
Lead your own neighborhood parade in style! Tie some streamers and balloons to your stroller and help your kids decorate their bike or scooter with these DIY patriotic streamerswe found on AlphaMom.
Supply list is simple:
1. a pair of toilet paper tubes
2. curling ribbon and/or crepe paper streamers
3. inexpensive water-based children’s poster paint in patriotic colors
4. star stickers
5. paint brushes
6. a stapler and/or normal household tape
To create:
Have kids paint the tubes one color –the base coat. (Resist mixing colors since you’ll end up with purple or pink instead of the red white and blue theme!).
Once base coat is dry, let them decorate the tube by painting on stars, stripes, flags, hearts, whatever else says 4th of July. And adding stickers, too.
Once everything is dry, staple and/or tape the streamers or curling ribbon in strips to the end of the tubes. Curl the ribbons.
Slip the decorated tubes of streamers over the ends of your child’s handle bars, and voila, patriotic streamers!
You’ll all have a blast circling the block in holiday style. Blow some horns, shake some noise makers and belt out our national anthem to your heart’s content. Your kids will never forget it.
Patriotic Streamers for Bikes and Scooters via AlphaMom
Recipe: Fruity Yogurt “Bomb Pops”
Homemade Bomb Pops from Healthnut Foodie
Remember those brilliant red, white and blue popsicles you likely devoured as a child? They scream patriotism! Make your own healthy version with yogurt, blueberries and strawberries:
For the red layer: Puree 1 pint hulled strawberries with 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt. Fill popsicle molds 1/3 of the way full with strawberry/yogurt mixture. Transfer molds to freezer and freeze for about 30 minutes, to prevent the layers from mixing. (There is no need to put the sticks in at this time.) Rinse blender.
For the white layer: When 30 minutes have lapsed, remove popsicle molds from freezer. Reserve 3/4 cup of the yogurt for the blue layer. Use remaining vanilla yogurt to fill molds 2/3 of the way full. Return popsicles to freezer just long enough to prepare the blue layer.
For the blue layer: Puree 1 1/2 cups blueberries with remaining 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt. Remove popsicles from freezer and fill with blueberry puree. Add sticks to popsicles and return to freezer. Freeze for at least 2 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Or, you could always throw caution to the wind (after all, it is a holiday!) and go for the ones you used to eat as a kid. You can find them at Walmart.
Sparkler Printable from Delightfully Noted
Craft: Sparkler Printables
Light up the night with sparkler favors. Thanks to this free printable, you can turn any ordinary box of sparklers into fun, festive favors for any family or friend gathering. Download the sparkler printables here, and be sure to print them on heavy card stock. Cut a slit above and below the solid blue block and slide a few sparklers through. ** Of course, never leave children unattended with sparklers, and be sure to explain the dangers of fire and the importance of being careful of sparklers before you light them. **
Use a melon scooper to make watermelon balls (or could use frozen yogurt or raspberry sorbet)
4 cups watermelon balls
2 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup sweetened whipped cream or thick plain or vanilla yogurt
Red, white and blue star sprinkles
Gently mix together the watermelon and blueberries. Divide among 4 sundae bowls. Top each with a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt and sprinkle with red ,white and blue sprinkles. Serve immediately.
Serves 4.
Keep your party going this July 4th by joining your community at a family-friendly holiday parade, fireworks show or festival. Stay tuned for our July 4th Even Guide for ideas and info!
We’ve gathered the best of the best family activities to help you plan a fun-filled July 4th holiday. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a fitness run, a pancake breakfast, a carnival or a nostalgic parade. And, of course, fireworks!
Unless otherwise stated, all activities are held Wednesday, July 4th.
Marin County Fair (June 30-July 4): Classic fair activities, carnival rides, farm events, Chinese acrobats, and fireworks every night of the fair.
Berkeley Marina 4th of July: Food, live music and lots of activities for kids, including Adventure Playground, face painting, a giant slide and fireworks. 12 pm – 10 pm.
Orinda 4th of July Parade & Events: Events for every age group starting with the annual Pancake Breakfast, flag raising ceremony, fun run, parade, live music, food, games and booths in the park.
Jack London Square’s July 4th Family Fun Festival: Festival includes many activities for the whole family, including a giant slide, bounce houses, hands-on arts and crafts, magicians, hula hoops, a petting zoo, jugglers, food and shopping. 11 am – 4 pm.
Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island: Enjoy Coney Island and watch 20 adults vie for this year’s championship hot dog eating contest. 12 pm at the Surfside Avenue flagship Nathan’s.
Declare Independence in Prospect Park: Audubon Center and Lefferts Historic House? at the Imagination Playground are offering special events for the holiday. Kids can sign their own replica of the Declaration of Independence.
Chicago
Family Fun Festival in Millennium Park (July 2 – September 2): The Family Fun Tent offers family performances and hands-on activities from 10 am – 3 pm. Free!
Navy Pier Fireworks: Spectacular fireworks perfectly synchronized to music on Lake Michigan. Fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with a special July 4th show at 9 pm. View from the dock or onboard an evening cruise.
Independence Day Play at Pump It Up: $10/child provides for four hours of climate controlled inflatable fun! Includes a complimentary popsicle for each child. Reserve tickets online in advance.
Chicago History Museum 53rd Annual Fourth of 4th of July Celebration: Highlights include patriotic musical performances, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a children’s costume parade led by the World’s Tallest Uncle Sam. Free admission to the outdoor event on Uihlein Plaza; free Museum admission for Illinois residents all day. 10 am–12 pm.
Los Angeles
Rose Bowl Americafest – Family Fun on the 4th: Celebrate America with music, food and fireworks.
Marina Del Rey Fireworks: Burton Chace Park and Fisherman’s Village are ideal spots for watching the firework’s display, shot from a barge across from the Marina’s main channel.
After the festivities are over, wind down with a night off from the kids with the help of UrbanSitter, where you can book babysitters online instantly.
Your kids know the Fourth of July as the day to wear red, white and blue, watch fireworks, see a parade, and maybe go to a family or neighborhood BBQ. Do they know the true meaning of Independence Day?
Give your kids a quick history lesson and celebrate your national pride with these fun facts and simple, patriotic projects.
Independence Day Fun Facts:
Known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
It is the day we became an independent nation, declaring our independence from Great Britain.
Our flag – often called Old Glory or the Stars and Stripes – has 50 stars to represent the 50 states of the United States of America and 13 stripes to represent the British colonies that became our first states.
Fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs, such as our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner;” “America the Beautiful;” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.” Download the songs or print the lyrics and sing-along with your kids!
Patriotic Crafts:
Mini American Flag
1. Paint 4 popsicle sticks red, paint 3 white.
2. Turn the sticks over to show backside facing up and alternate red, white, red, etc.
3. Apply glue and then place a piece of paper cut to size on the glue. Let dry.
4. Turn over and paint a blue square in the upper right.
5. Apply glitter glue dots, let dry.
6. Glue a popsicle stick as a flag pole (optional).
1. Choose a smooth, flat river rock. Mark off the area that will be the stars.
2. Use blue paint to color the area that will be the stars. Paint the rest of the rock’s top white. Let the paint dry.
3. Paint red stripes in the white area (in the real US flag there are 13 red and white stripes, with red stripes on the top and bottom – these stripes symbolize the original 13 colonies).
4. Paint some white stars on the blue area (in the real US flag there are 50 white stars that represent the 50 US states).
5. If you’d like a shiny finish, coat with an acrylic varnish after the paint has dried completely.
