The Fourth of July is right around the corner, so it is time to finalize all of your plans for celebrating and get everything prepared (hopefully sooner rather than later). Most people spend the day barbequing with friends and family and then spend the evening watching fireworks light up the night sky. Those are great, but these specific activities aren’t generally geared toward children. This year, teach your kids about the history of Independence Day and why we celebrate, and give them some fun things to do in order to feel like a part of the holiday’s festivities.

photo credit: Buzz Huffman

• Set the atmosphere with some patriotic decor. Anything in red, white, and blue will do. Let the kids be creative in their decorating. For something simple, cover your table with a white tablecloth. Cut pieces of blue and red crepe paper the same length as the cloth and weave the colors in whatever pattern strikes your fancy.
• Add a striking centerpiece to each table. Stars and stripes are always fitting. If you’re looking for something natural and simple, fill vases with red, white, and/or blue flowers. For an evening picnic, decorate white pillar candles with red and blue metallic star stickers (bonus if you’re a teacher because chances are you have some extra left over from the school year).
• Gather all the neighborhood kids and have a patriotic parade. Hold a costume contest to see who comes up with the best get-up. Decorate the bikes with streamers, balloons, and painted tin cans trailing behind. Give small awards to those who are most creative. Gather everyone together and walk around the neighborhood making as much noise as possible (hey, you only live once).
• When it’s time to get your grub on, make sure you have a refreshing and festive drink to serve. Make some lemonade with muddled strawberries and blueberries for additional flavor. Instead of adding plain, boring ice to the pitcher, freeze some of the berries into the ice cubes and add them instead. If you’re feeling extra festive, garnish each cup with some strawberries and blueberries on a toothpick or stir stick.
• And no Fourth of July party is complete without a red, white, and blue dessert. If you’re looking for something relatively easy that is both pleasing to the eye and to the palate, try placing strawberries, blueberries, and small squares of angel food cake on skewers. Maybe you’d like something more substantial to serve. If that’s the case, try making cupcakes instead (any flavor will do, just add some white frosting to the top). Add strawberries or raspberries to some, blueberries to others, and finish with some cupcakes covered in coconut. And if you’re feeling rather adventurous, both of these desserts can be arranged in such a way to create an edible American flag.

The Fourth of July was the first date to be declared an American holiday, and it is only fitting that we take the time to celebrate such a monumental event with those we love and care about. Give your children something to cherish for years to come by creating your own unique and special family traditions. You can make things as simple or elaborate as you choose, just have fun with it and enjoy the time spent together.

ListPlanIt.com has many of the pages you need to plan a fantastic holiday with friends and family. You’ll find party planning pages, grocery lists, cleaning lists, and even a timeline to plot your preparation and party, all in Holidays & Occasions.  Not yet a member?  Join today and get organized for summertime.