Fourth of July Kids Craft

Holidays can be a really fun way to get crafty with your kids.  My two older children really enjoy making crafts, and it gives me a chance to see their imaginations work.  These quick and simple crafts were fun and engaging, plus they reinforced some academic skills like fine motor work and counting up to 50!  I encourage you to make these with your kids, get festive in your house, and celebrate the birthday of our wonderful nation that allows us to be free.

Firework Paper Lantern

The first craft is a fun one and involves just a few basic materials:

• Q-tips
• Paint (patriotic colors are great, but any color is fine!)
• Black or Blue paper
• Glue

Give the artists each a Q-tip and their paint.  I like to put the paint on a paper plate or an old piece of paper for this.  Dip the entire Q-tip in multiple places in the paint and press down on your paper in a firework design.  Cover the paper with these beautiful fireworks and set aside to dry.

My suggestion is to start the next craft while these dry, but it is totally up to you what you do!

After it is dry, fold it in half vertically (or hotdog style).  Cut on the fold perpendicularly, but not all of the way to the top.

Next, open up your paper and turn it horizontally.  Bring both short ends together and secure with tape.  If you'd like, you can add a handle too!  We chose to leave ours just as they were.

American Flag Decoration

This was a good one to practice some academic skills!  To make the flag, you'll need:

• Blue paper
• Red paper
• White paper
• White paint
• Q-tip
• Glue stick
• Ruler (optional)

To give my soon-to-be five year old some extra practice with his cutting, I let him do this work!  I started by folding a piece of red paper horizontally (hamburger style) and drawing lines on it for C to cut.  I did the same for the white paper.  

Next, take the strips that have been cut and have your child work on their patterning.  Glue your first strip on the top right hand corner and continue working your way down, alternating between colors as you go.  

Lastly, add the "stars"!  Dip your Q-tip in the white paint and if your child is able, have him/her count out 50 stars for 50 states.  This is a good talking point to help kids learn about where they live and why we celebrate the 4th of July.  You'd be surprised how many of my fourth graders had absolutely no idea what country they live in (or even what a country was!).  Talking about it with them gives them some worldly and essential knowledge.

I hope your kids enjoyed these crafts!  What do you do to celebrate the fourth with your children?  Tell me in the comments below!

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