...Fireworks...

Use black construction paper and make fireworks using net scrubbies that

you use washing your pots and pans. Mix tempera paint in a tray and add paper towels to make more of a stamp pad. The paper towel should be wet not soaking. Too much paint and it won't work. Touch the scrubbie to the paper towel and press on paper. I have gold tempera which really looks spectacular. Use white and red as well and add glitter to the paint. It is a great effect on the black paper.

...Star Crowns...

Pre cut stars out of red, white and blue construction paper. Give each

child a long white band (about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide) of construction paper long enough to fit around a child's head. Let each child glue (I colored

my white glue with some red paint) as many paper stars on the band as

they want. I also put out some red, white and blue stickers for the to put on. When dry, fit to each child's head and staple. The kids just love the star spangled crown.

...Baton...

Take a large sheet of newspaper and fold in half. Start at one corner

and roll into a long stick shape. Tape. Children can color newspaper with markers/paint, etc. Attach crepe paper streamers or strips of tissue paper at one end (or anywhere)with a glue stick. Decorate with foil star stickers. Can be used for a parade, dancing, etc.

...Playdoh Fun...

Set out red, white and blue playdoh and let the children's imaginations run wild. Art Table... Using a black piece of construction paper, straws, and various colored paint allow the children to drop a small amount of paint onto paper and gently blow through the straw for fireworks in the sky effects.

...Sensory Table...

Place red, white or blue colored water in the sensory table with pitchers, measuring cups and other containers to allow the children to experience measurement.

...Housekeeping...

Set up the housekeeping area with items you would take along on a picnic.

Have the children pretend to make sandwiches and gather items to bring

with. Then allow them to imagine what they'd do while they were picnicking.

...4th of July wands...

Materials: newspaper, red, white and blue streamers, markers or paint, glue stick, star stickers

Take a large sheet of newspaper and fold in half. Start at one corner and roll into a long stick shape. Tape. Children can color newsparer with markers/paint, etc. Attach crepe paper streamers or strips of tissue paper at one end (or anywhere)with a glue stick. Decorate with foil star stickers. Can be used for a parade, dancing, etc.

Fireworks

Use black construction paper and make fireworks using net scrubbies that you use washing your pots and pans. Mix tempera paint in a tray and add paper towels to make more of a stamp pad. The paper towel should be wet not soaking. Too much paint and it won't work. Touch the scrubbie to the paper towel and press on paper. I have gold tempera which really looks spectacular. Use white and red as well and add glitter to the paint. It is a great effect on the black paper.

Stars And Stripes Collage

Materials:

Blue construction paper Red and white construction paper cut into 1" strips Silver star stickers Glue

Directions:

Set out all of the materials and let the kids create.

Stars And Stripes Sponge Painting

Materials:

Red and blue paint Sponges cut into stars and long strips White construction paper

Directions:

Let the children make sponge prints on the white paper with the red and blue paint.

Red, White, And Blue Puffy Paint Pictures

Materials:

Flour Salt Water Red and blue food coloring Empty mustard squeeze bottles Cardboard

Directions:

1. Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water to make the puffy paint.

2. Divide mixture into three different bowls and color one bowl of mixture blue, one bowl red, and leave the last one white.

3. Fill the mustard bottles with the mixture (one color per squeeze bottle).

4. Let the children squeeze the different colors onto the cardboard.

5. Allow the children's artwork to dry. When it is dry, the design will be raised and will sparkle!

Red, White, And Blue Salt Jars

Materials:

Empty baby food jars with lids 9 cups rock salt Red and blue food coloring (PI) cup rubbing alcohol

Directions:

AN ADULT MUST DO THIS PART

1. To make the colored rock salt: Measure 3 cups of rock salt to be blue, 3 cups to be white, and 3 cups to be red, and place each in three separate bowls.

2. Combine (pi) cup of rubbing alcohol with (PI) a bottle or more of red food coloring (you want the colors to be bright). Do the same for the blue food coloring.

3. Mix the red alcohol mixture into one of the bowls of rock salt. Mix well and let sit for about 1 minute. Drain the excess alcohol mixture off of the rock salt. (WARNING: This will smell pretty yucky!) Spread the colored rock salt on cookie sheets and set outside in the sun to dry (this will take only an hour or so). Repeat the same procedure for the blue food coloring. 4. Do nothing with the remaining rock salt because you want it to stay white.

ACTIVITY FOR THE CHILDREN

1. Once the different colors of salt are dry, place them on a table with spoons and baby food jars. 2. Guide the children to spoon the colored rock salt into their jars. 3. Seal the children's creation with the lid.

Stars and Stripes collage: Give each child blue construction paper(9x12) with strips of red and white paper cut 1x9. Have them glue the strips on and add silver star stickers. (I usually cut my stars out so they are bigger!)

Firework Painting Go to the grocery store and buy the scouring pads that are round with holes in them.(They are made real stiff-the old style scouring pads) Put out red white and blue paint and have them paint in a circular motion to make fireworks! They turn out real cute!

Fourth of July Windsocks Assemble this project the same way as the Fourth of July collage however staple together making a cylindar and add streamers on the bottom and a piece of yarn on top to hang!

Hello Robin. My name is Laura. My son's fourth Birthday is July 29th. Any ideas for creating a party that I can do my self such as favors and decorations? Also party games. His party will be held outside...depending on weather. Any tips you give me will be greatly appreciated!