4th of July Activities: Any ideas?

[Christina72684]

I'm trying to have a theme for each week, and next week I was going to do 4th of July. I have 8 kids ages 3-11. Does anyone do anything to celebrate 4th of July? Any good crafts, books, movies, songs? Got any pictures of anything you do?

I asked a 5yr old DCB today why we celebrate 4th of July and he said he didn't know. I told him it was America's birthday, but he totally didn't understand what I was trying to explain to him. He asked if everyone gets older on the 4th of July lol

[WImom]

We are doing this - http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011...fireworks.html

[Auntie]

Take the kids outside (because this is wet and can be messy) hang up sheets of paper and have the kids squirt colored water out of squirt bottles onto the paper to look like fire works.

We hang ours on the wire fence outside with clothes pins.

[Abigail]

Originally Posted by WImom

We are doing this - http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011...fireworks.html

Are you doing this all back to back or are you going to do the glue and salt one day then color it the next or later in the day so the glue sets a little? I like this idea, but if you have an almost-empty glue bottle, do you think you could pre-mix the salt in with this glue before applying it to the paper? It might look really neat if you use those glow-glue sticks because then after the lights go out they would light up. It is quite expensive, so I wouldn't use much.

Here is a link on how to make glow in the dark glue. Has anyone tried this before? http://www.ehow.com/how_6337296_make...dark-glue.html

[WImom]

I never thought about letting the glue dry a little. I may do this before cirlce time and then let it dry a little. I'm thinking I may do the glue part and let them do the rest. I have a few that would just glue a huge glob in the middle and be done which won't dry ever...lol.

[DCMom]

Originally Posted by WImom

I never thought about letting the glue dry a little. I may do this before cirlce time and then let it dry a little. I'm thinking I may do the glue part and let them do the rest. I have a few that would just glue a huge glob in the middle and be done which won't dry ever...lol.

I tried it this morning and that's JUST what they did! They should be dry by July 4th!

I'm going to try it on my own tonight~let it dry and then do the colors. I used cheap pump glue from DSS and it kind of spread when we put the salt on. I wonder if using Elmers (as it calls for) makes a difference?

We're making chocolate dipped strawberries. W'ere dipping them in white chocolate, then blue sugar to make red, white and blue berries. Then sending a few home with each child on a plate for them to share with their families.

Then for a craft we're sponge painting flags. I cut out of sponges a star and wavy lines so they can make a flag.

Last week we did straw fireworks. I diluted red and blue paint until it was watery, then put drops on white paper. The kids blew thru straws to make a fireworks effect, then sprinkled it with silver glitter and let dry.

[SilverSabre25]

Originally Posted by WImom

We are doing this - http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011...fireworks.html

That's a very nifty idea; I like it. Using the eye dropper is a great fine motor skill, and if your kiddos can't squeeze the glue themselves or just like to make puddles, you could give them a Q-tip or small paintbrush and have them draw the firework shape. Actually, if you have littles, just pour the glue into a small cup and have them use the paintbrush from the beginning.

I would print out some pictures of different fireworks and have them posted somewhere nearby so the kiddos can reference them if they want.

I would also do this in two parts; either the glue and salt one day and the water the next, or glue and salt in the morning and water in the afternoon. I might have to do this; it looks like fun!

The red white and blue berries are also a neat idea...actually, all of your activities are neat ideas, unregistered! (Does the glitter really stick into paint like that?)

[e.j.]

We just did this one today and they came out pretty cute:

http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-plate-uncle-sam.html

Yesterday, I had mostly 2 year olds so I gave them
4th of July themed stickers (red and blue sparkly stars, flags, etc) that they stuck onto a white circle. When they were finished sticking the stickers onto the circle, I helped them glue some blue and red ribbons onto the bottom of the circle and a ribbon loop at the top. It looked like a windsock when we were done.

Tomorrow, we're making flags.

Thursday, I have a fairly young group again so I'll give them pre-cut star shapes in red, white and blue to glue onto a paper plate "wreath". If we have time, I'll have them add some sparkle glue.

[blueclouds29]

here's a great one i just found!

http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/20...ture-book.html