Fourth of July Craft Ideas

The 4^th of July is full of pizzazz, sparkle and firecrackers, so fourth of July craft ideas should reflect that mood. Here are some fun 4^th of July craft ideas that will keep your kids busy while honoring their country. All it takes is some simple craft supplies, and you are ready to go.

Firework Poster Art
What you need:
Paper cups
Acrylic paint in red, white and blue
Water
Drinking straw
Cardstock or poster board
Paint brush

Place a small amount of acrylic paint into the bottom of the paper cup. Add a small amount of water until acrylic paint is just a little bit runny. Dip a paintbrush into the paint, and allow the paint to drip off of the brush onto the poster board in one large drop. Using the drinking straw, gently blow directly onto the drop of paint. The drop of paint will spread in several directions, creating a firework effect. You can make firework drops of one color, allow them to dry and then do another color.

4^th of July Parade Baton
What you need:
5/8-inch dowel
Red, white or blue acrylic paint
Red, white and blue ribbon (8 pieces cut into 1 ½- to 2-foot-long pieces)
5/8-inch rubber tips available at hardware stores

To cut the dowel to the correct length for your child, measure his arm starting at the armpit and going down to the tips of his fingers. Parents should then cut the dowel and make sure the end is smooth. Let the child paint the dowel either red, white or blue.

Next, take four of the ribbon pieces and lay them across one end of the baton. You want the baton's end to be in to be in the middle of the ribbon. Push the rubber tip onto the end of the baton to hold the ribbon in place. Repeat for the other end of the baton. Now you're ready to march in the 4^th of July parade!

These crafts are easy to do but will help get your kids' creativity flowing and encourage them to join in celebrating the birth of our nation.