UrbanSitter Round-Up: Kid-Friendly Fourth of July Activities

photo by Symic

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.

San Francisco Bay Area

  • 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.

NYC and Surrounding Area

  • 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

  • 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.

Top 10 Mother’s Day Ideas

This one is for the husbands. (Or, for the wives who want to leave this in his briefcase.)

What does your wife want for Mother’s Day? Most moms are reluctant to ask for anything, but if you dig just a little deeper, you’ll find there are plenty of “presents” she’d love to receive. So take a hint and give her something really special this year.

1. A day off. There’s nothing like it. Even better if she’s in her own home — by herself.

2. Flowers. Cliche, but really not. Can you remember the last time she received an arrangement?

3. An afternoon off. You get the idea.

4. A gift certificate to the local hotel spa or day spa. Make sure she’s welcome to stay the whole day and use the facilities — pool, lunch, etc.

5. Something homemade from the kids. This should accompany another gift, but anything with crooked little letters and haphazard glue warms the heart.

6. A spectacular date — planned entirely by you. Take the reigns and devise something fun and different. Horse races? Theatre?

7. A new sweater or a whole outfit. Not lingerie. And please get the sales lady at Macy’s/J.Crew/Saks to help you. Even if she returns part or all of it, she’ll be touched you tried.

8. Art. Anything from a photograph of the first city you lived in (together) to a reprint of her favorite artist’s most obscure work, to a jewelry box you found in that out-of-the-way gift shop.

9. A cleaning lady, or a deep clean of the carpets and windows. The key is she won’t have to plan it or feel guilty for spending the money. And maybe get her flowers, too.

10. A dinner made by you. Hire a sitter to take the kids out or drop them at the grandparents for the night and make her a gourmet meal from start to finish. Even if you aren’t a star in the kitchen, you’ll both laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Bonus points for a fabulous bottle of champagne or her favorite (expensive) wine!