U.S. of YAY! Independence Day in the United States is a life-long weekend of celebrations. However, elementary school is out and your children are home, which may leave you feeling overwhelmed trying to fill the downtime to keep them from getting bored. Here is a helpful guide to spark proud young patriots during this year's festivities. You may choose from 22 low-maintenance, easy-prep, fun, and educational activities to bond as a family or keep your kiddos occupied!
1. Bake Something Pastry-otic!
You can bake these pop-rock cupcakes with help from your little ones. Review math skills by working on fractions, measurement conversions, temperature, and cooking times, and make observations as you go. Enjoy the fireworks on your tongue at the end!
Learn more: The Life of Jolie
2. Make Liber-tea!
Instead of throwing tea into the Boston Harbor, throw your own Boston Tea Party! You can discuss with your children the importance of protest and freedom to our nation’s history. Here are a few fourth of July tea recipes as a healthier alternative to sugary juices.
Learn more: The Republic of Tea
3. Patriotic Poses
Many schools are incorporating yoga and mindful practices. You can continue this at home with Independence Day-themed yoga cards! Each position takes a twist on a classic yoga pose to integrate a patriotic symbol.
Learn more: Pink Oatmeal
4. Happy Fork of July!
All you need is paint, forks, and a canvas to create fireworks! The simplicity of this project allows for a lot of creativity and independence! Children will love experimenting with different colors and shapes, where no two fireworks will be exactly alike!
Learn more: Thrifty Mom
5. Layers of Freedom
Teach your kids the properties of density while creating these patriotic, kid-friendly drinks! You may want to focus on the question, “Why does the sugar content give the drinks different densities?” and discuss how this impacts the drink’s health component. Then, enjoy taste testing!
Learn more: Steve Spangler Science
6. Spirited Skittles Experiment
Activate your children’s creative juices by dissolving skittles! For a twist on this experiment, use warm milk instead of water, put dish soap on a Q-tip, and touch the liquid with the Q-tip. Then, discuss your findings!
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7. Decoration of Independence!
Decorate your home with these declarations of independence! Each craft can be used as plaques or coasters to be a constant reminder of our patriotism. With complex cutting directions, this craft could be used for upper-elementary students.
Learn more: Danielle's Place
8. Indepen-dance!
If you're looking to get your kids awake (or to expel some energy!), try learning a dance together! Miss Lydia is a dance teacher that choreographed movements with easy-to-learn, step-by-step actions.
Learn more: City of Renton Page
9. Happy Birthday USA!
Do not forget that this is the birth of our nation! You can throw a birthday bash for our country by making birthday cards. Practice fine motor skills by tracing, cutting, and gluing personal hand prints and writing thankful messages about the United States.
Learn more: Fun and Print Art Blog
10. Yankee Doodler
With all of the craziness of Independence Day activities, sometimes everyone needs a quiet moment with an easy activity. Here are several patriotic-themed coloring pages that kids can do unassisted, and then decorate the fridge!
Learn more: 123 Kids Fun
11. Flag Tie-Dye Shirts
Of course, you can go buy a flag shirt, however, you and your kids may feel proud celebrating with shirts that YOU made! Here is a quick and unique t-shirt template to tie dye. You can add your own twist by painting our forefathers’ names on the back!
Learn more: Noble Touch Crafts
12. Patriotic Popsicle
We all know July is a month when cooling down is important! Carve out a time to chill with homemade popsicles! You may choose to make them with a healthier option of real watermelon and coconut.
Learn more: Tastey
13. Eat Fire-Crackers!
Taking the phrase quite literally, you can follow this recipe to make a spicy twist on your diapers! The instructions involve several small measurements you may want to use to reinforce fraction work and measurement conversions with your upper-elementary school-aged children.
Learn more: Hey Y'all Kitchen
14. Search for Freedom
Just as the patriots took steps to find freedom, use this scavenger hunt template to get your kids moving! Kids can work to find the clues and match the answers to each question, thus, learning many fun facts about the historical side of this holiday!
Learn more: The Military Wife and Mom
15. July ISpy
Make it a competition or leisurely work together to spot all of the items on the list! Then, you can take the game outside and create your own ISpy of all of your decorations - and even the neighbors'!
Learn more: Let's DIY It All
16. Backyard Games
Combine crafting with gaming to create these DIY backyard activities! It is important for children to see how everyday materials can be reused. Your children will be kept busy for hours!
Learn more: Sugar Bee Crafts
17. Read for Respect!
This is more than just a holiday! Before the parties, you may want to teach your children the meaning behind the fourth of July. These books dive into the importance of diversity in our country.
Learn more: Rock Your Home School
18. Squishy Star-Spangled Banner
With less of a mess than finger painting, create “squishy stars!” Each craft will come out unique and your kids will love experimenting to get the perfect combination. You may choose to use them to create a banner, a flag, or any decoration in your home.
Learn more: Friends Art Lab
19. Fourth Flowers
Your children will be amazed when they experiment with flower art! Kids can investigate how to add two new colors to each flower. They may also want a calm moment to watch as the flowers slurp up the colors!
Learn more: Artful Parent
20. Flower Power
If you do not have flowers for the above activity, you can always make your own with paper! You can add pins to the back or string them together for a beautiful photo backdrop.
Learn more: Moms and Crafters
21. Don’t feel salty, celebrate!
An alternative take on glitter, you can create fireworks using salt and food coloring! You may print a free template or kids can create their own so no two fireworks look the same!
Learn more: The Best Ideas for Kids
22. Apply the skills!
Review skills within a fun and applicable context before the festivities begin! In these math and literacy centers, beginner readers, mathematicians, and writers practice letters, counting, and more!
Learn more: Pinay Homeschooler
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