26 Preschool Activities For the 4th of July

1. Fireworks Painting

Fireworks just might be the best part of the 4th of July so what better way to get kids in the mood than with a fun art activity about fireworks. Scrubbing brushes make great firework patterns when dipped in paint so squeeze out a few different colors of paint and let the fun begin! For more fun and colorful painting ideas for kids, check here.

Learn more: Fun Learning for Kids

2. Patriotic Necklaces

Pasta necklace making is one of the most popular crafts as far as preschool activities go. Stringing up shaped pasta is an excellent exercise for fine motor skills and kids love creating fun patterns to hang around their necks. Color the dry pasta with food coloring and let little hands string them up once they have dried.

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3. Patriotic Windsock

This unique patriotic craft idea will have kids jumping with joy as they watch their crafts dancing in the breeze. With only some toilet paper rolls and streamers they can make colorful windsock to see which way the wind blows during the patriotic celebration.

Learn more: A Little Pinch of Perfect

4. Pop-up Fireworks

Firework displays are the best part of Independence Day and now kids can have their very own pop-up fireworks. Add bright stars to the outside of a cone and tie ribbons to the inside. Let everyone pop their fireworks at the same time for an exciting display ahead of the big firework display outside.

Learn more: Kids Craft Room

5. Star Wreath

Whether it’s Christmas, easter, or the 4th of July, it is never a bad time to make a wreath! Cut out a circle from a paper plate and add some stars and ribbons to decorate it. The perfect addition to any patriotic celebration!

Learn more: The Resourceful Mama

6. 4th Of July Slime

Making some fun red, white, and blue slime is always one of the most popular projects with kids. Add some colored beads to the slime and let kids count how many of each color is in their bowl of slime. Working on math skills while getting their hands dirty is a win-win and this is a great activity for toddlers and preschoolers alike.

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7. Popsicle Stick Flags

Let kids create the American flag with craft or popsicle sticks to decorate the home. This craft is fun, easy, and affordable. Flag crafts are a fun way to teach kids about the country’s history and independence and make the perfect patriotic activity.

Learn more: Kids Activities Blog

8. Sensory Bottle

This is a fun alternative to a traditional flag activity. Instead of painting the stars and stripes, let kids color water, oil, and soap in the colors of the flag and learn a little bit about science while they are at it. Check our list of sensory activities here.

Learn more: Teaching Mama

9. Toilet Paper Roll Stamp

Kids love to create firework designs with some interesting supplies. Cut the edges of toilet paper rolls and dip them in different colored paint to create fireworks. Stay patriotic and make red, white, and blue fireworks, or turn it into a color lesson by using an assortment of bright paints.

Learn more: Start At Home Decor

10. Flag Darts

A fun day activity to get kids outside is a giant game of darts. Blow up some red, white, and blue balloons and have a fun family game of darts. Fill the balloons with some flour for added fun when they pop.

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11. Marshmallow Shooters

Even though you shouldn’t play with your food, this is one fun activity there can be an exception for. Decorate some toilet paper rolls with red and white stripes and tie half of a blue balloon to the end. Once you load up the shooter with a few marshmallows, you can launch them across the yard!

Learn more: Hunny I’m Home

12. 4th Of July Backyard Bowling

An outdoor game for kids is essential to any great 4th of July party. Work on gross motor skills by letting kids kick a soccer ball at some colorful flag-themed pins. Let the little ones keep score to let them work on adding numbers too. All in all, it is the perfect picnic activity!

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13. Patriotic Skittle Experiment

Take advantage of holiday-themed candy, like Skittles, for some 4th of July science fun. Arrange skittles in a pattern and see what happens when you add warm water and cold water. Just because it’s a holiday, doesn’t mean kids can’t learn something too! Check our list of edible science experiments for kids for more ideas like this.

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14. Stars and Stripes Sensory Bin

A sensory bin is a fun way for kids to practice their fine motor skills and learn about textures and shapes. Color some pasta and create a flag or mix the pasta together and let the kids make the flag patterns themselves. They can also use chopsticks to move them around for an added challenge. Here is a list of our favorite DIY sensory tables for the classroom.

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15. Fun Fireworks Ring

Pipe cleaners are the perfect craft supplies for a July 4th party. Twist them into a spring shape and knot them together to create these funky accessories. Kids will love showing off their handmade jewelry when the fireworks go off!

Learn more: Mom Dot

16. Saladspinner Noisemaker

Activity ideas for the 4th of July should be loud, colorful, and fun. This craft encompasses all 3 and gives your kids a fun instrument to use during the loud fireworks displays. Put a paper plate with a dollop of paint on top in a salad spinner and see your masterpiece emerge after a few turns.

Learn more: No Time For Flashcards

17. Footprint Flags

Little feet are the perfect size to make flag prints in this fun flag craft. This one can be a little difficult for ticklish feet though! Help them to paint a flag on the sole of their foot to print onto some white paper. Display the American flag artwork print as a decoration at your 4th of July party.

Learn more: Crafty Morning

18. Popsicle Stick Uncle Sam 

The personification of America as Uncle Sam goes back hundreds of years and the 4th of July is the perfect time to make some fun Uncle Sam crafts. Use popsicle sticks and some cotton wool to make these fun decorations for your celebration table.

Learn more: Glued To My Crafts

19. Cupcake Liner Fireworks

This fun art activity is great for kids who are learning to cut with scissors. Cutting on the lines of the cupcake liners is a great fine motor skill development activity and these cut-up liners make a cute alternative to fireworks that are simply painted or stamped.

Learn more: The Kindergarten Connection

20. Uncle Sam Paperbag Puppet

This patriotic activity for kids is fun and creative and uses very few supplies. With only a paper bag and some colored paper, kids get to create a cute Uncle Sam puppet. Let them use their puppets to tell you what they think freedom means and what their favorite part of Independence Day is.

Learn more: Crafts On Sea

21. Make a Flag Snack

Sink your teeth into a kid-friendly patriotic flag snack idea like this Graham cracker and fruit treat. Build a treat that kids can create themselves with little help by using small fruits and spreadable toppings. American flag fruit skewers are also a yummy treat for your celebrations.

Learn more: The Educators’ Spin On It

22. Patriotic Wand

A great party activity to keep the little ones busy is a wand-making station.  They can use these instead of flag-waving or replicate the fireworks movements.

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23. Paper Chain Flag

Most 4th of July activities for kids involve making a flag in one way or another. This unique take on flag making only makes use of colored paper and some staples but creates a fun decoration for your celebration.

Learn more: She Knows

24. Patriotic Tin Can Toss

Fourth of July celebrations are filled with fun backyard activities, letting kids make the most of the height of summer. Let them decorate some tin cans and set up a classic tin can toss game. It is great for hand-eye coordination and a healthy dose of competition.

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25. Patriotic Bingo

Bingo is a foolproof party game for the whole family and the perfect addition to a 4th of July celebration. Download this printable activity and get a good old-fashioned game of Bingo going with the kids.

Learn more: Create Craft Love

26. Duct Tape Bags

Duct tape is a must in any craft supply cupboard. Strategically tape some red, white, and blue tape together to create fun flag bags for kids to hold their candy in.

Learn more: All Free Kids Crafts