The 4th of July reminds us adults that we’re in free country! Kids, not so much . . .
Look at the flag – get small ones if you can. Colors? Stars? All have meaning, did you know?
The stripes = 13 = the number of original colonies
The stars = 50 = the number of states in our country
The colors = red, white, blue = Red: valor; White: innocence; Blue = Justice
*If you want, say together the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Think of all the activities for stripes and stars in red, white and blue! Many websites will tell you step by step instructions. I’m a big fan of providing materials and letting your kids create something from their imagination. So, my approach is to cut up strips of paper (stripes) and cut out stars, and let your kids create something marvelous. Provide glue, tape, scissors, and markers.
Links for more fun:
Fun School – games, printables and crafts for the 4th of July
Picture Scrambler Puzzles
Stars and Stripes toast
Family Fun’s guide to crafts, food and fun
What are some of your favorite traditions/activities?
Amber Johnson
Great reminder, Melissa. Our 4th of July traditions including biking over to our church for a pancake breakfast, hanging at Grandma’s and then having a big street-wide party with fireworks that night.
Karen
Thanks, Melissa! I don’t know that I’ve ever had much conversation with my kids about the importance of the 4th. I love the ideas to make it fun and creative for them as well. I think I’ll try this out tomorrow!
JoAnn
Growing up the farm, we either went into town to see the fireworks, or we laid out under the stars, watching all the different communities’ fireworks off in the distance. My mom would make her famous homemade potato salad, and we had ice cream.
Lori
Thanks for the ideas Melissa, they are helpful as I begin new traditions with my little guys. Kip will love the number and color details you listed.
Dawna
Love this! My oldest loves red, white and blue, but I definitely need to tell him about the importance of our freedom and symbols on the flag. We have our crepe paper and will be headed to our neighborhood bike parade. Anyone know if there’s a schedule of fireworks shows around the city?
Melissa
Dawna, the schedule is actually on a post above this one – 4th of July Roundup.
Your bike parade sound like fun! Thanks for the comment.