Fourth of July Crafts and Activities for Kids

The fourth of July is one of those holidays that almost always leaves you with fond memories. From cookouts to fireworks, and pool parties to parades Independance Day is a fun holiday for almost everyone.

Keeping the kids busy while you finish up party preparations can be tough. They want to help but seem to be underfoot, want attention at the most stressful times and generally gum up the works. Giving them a job or a project to keep them busy can give ou the breathing space you need to finish your own projects and as an added bonus they can learn a little about American history in the process.

A great way to get kids busy and give them a sense of importance is to get them decorating for the party. Have them make place cards, invitations, party favors and table decorations to add a touch of whimsy to your cookout.

For easy place mats cut a clean sponge into a star shape. Let your child dip the sponge into blue paint and stamp it on a white sheet of paper. Let him do the same with another sponge and red paint. Allow to dry. You can give them a glue stick and glitter and let them add glitter after the paint is dry. Perfect patriotic place mats.

A great project for kids seven and up are these cool utensil and napkin holders for the picnic table. They will use cardboard tubes to create a festive silverware and napkin holder to keep your table organized. Recycling at it's best!

For placecards write guests names on 3x5 cards or have your child do it if they can. Give your child stickers, glitter, and glue to create the most unique place cards ever.

Another great idea for place cards that older kids can make is to use a sugar cookie recipe and cut out stars. Frost the stars with blue, white or red frosting and write a guest's name on the cookie with contrasting frosting.

Invitations can be simple or elaborate. Any child can help with these cute Flag Party invitations

Coloring pages are a tried and true way to keep children occupied. Here are some fourth of July coloring pages that you can print off for free.

• Boy dressed like Uncle Sam.
• Several different coloring pages here.
• Liberty Bell to color online or print.
• Another collection of fourth of July coloring pages
• Statue of Liberty surrounded by fireworks

Grab some crayons, print these out and your kids will entertain themselves for hours.

For older children there are other tpes of printables. Connect the dots, word searches, and crossword puzzles are only a few of the many printables available.

• Disney has everything from matching games to connect the dots for hours of educational fun.

• Word Scramble and Word Searches to keep them occupied.
• Crossword Puzzle
• Flag Word Search

Most children like to make crafts. There are hundreds of websites with inexpensive craft ideas on the Internet. AMong them you will find flag pins, photo frames, decorated flip flops and more.

• A number of different crafts on this page, from flag pins to a wooden stick flag.

• Ribbon and string garland from Martha Stewart.
• Patriotic pinwheel
• Jello Wiggle Stars
• Flip flops

You can add an extra measure of fun to the fourth of July when you plan some of these activities with your child in mind.

Remember as your child does the activites it is their project. Resist the urge to require perfection but allow the children to experience the craft and have fun. Not only will they occupy themselves but they will be building self confidence at the same time. Praise their efforts and display the results.

Happy Fourth of July!