9 Educational and Fun Activities for the Fourth of July
Children love the Fourth of July! Kids get to play outside, swim, enjoy a party with friends and family, and stay up at night to watch fireworks. The weather is warm, and the festivities are exciting.
The Fourth of July is more than backyard barbeques and fireworks. This holiday celebrates our nation and the unification of all states into one nation. The days and week leading up to Independence Day is a fantastic time to plan a few educational activities to help your children learn about this monumental holiday.
9 Educational Fourth of July Activities
- Learn the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a vital American document. A trip to Washington, D.C. to see the real document is ideal, but that’s not always feasible.
Instead, teach your children about who signed the Declaration, why it is so important, and important facts. Kids can print out a copy of the Declaration, or make an enlarged version on a poster board. Have your child try to copy the signatures and learn about the men who formed the nation we live in today.
- Learn the 50 States
During the time of the Revolutionary War, most of the states were not part of the union, but now is a great time for your kids to learn all 50 states! Merka Store, rated in the Top 100 Kids Blogs, sells a fantastic USA Learning Kit. Kids can learn the U.S. presidents, American symbols, the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and all 50 states. The USA Learning Kit is a fantastic resource for parents who want to help their child learn these important facts.
- Check Out American Heroes
Learning about American heroes from the Revolutionary period is FUN! Liberty Kids is a popular kids’ TV series that is interactive. Let your kids watch this series to learn about important people and events throughout the American Revolutionary War.
- Cook Up a Patriotic Dessert
Everyone loves desserts, and cooking is educational and fun for kids. Let your child use the measuring cups to measure the ingredients necessary for the recipe. Allow the child to pour and mix the ingredients. Kids love to make fun desserts! Once your friends and family arrive for the party, your child will proudly let them know that he made that cake!
- Make the American Flag
Make the American flag with your kids! It can be as simple as using construction paper or making a larger flag using poster board. The American flag is one of the most important symbols of the Fourth of July!
Let your child get creative! Make the stripes with red handprints. Use cotton swabs to make dots in lines to replicate the stripes.
- Read Books about the Fourth of July
Reading to your children, no matter their age helps to encourage early literacy, language development, and a love of reading. Parents can rent or purchase books about Independence Day. Some great choices include:
- Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham
- Grandma Drove the Garbage Truck by Katie Clark and Amy Huntington
- Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ted Rand
- The Flag Maker by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Claire A. Nivola
- A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women by Lynne Cheney and Robin Preiss Glasser
- Apple Pie Fourth of July by Janet S. Wong and Margaret Chodos-Irvine
- George vs. George: The American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer
- Study the Statue of Liberty
Lady Liberty is a fascinating monument and symbol that represents the United States. This Fourth of July, encourage your child to read a book about the Statue of Liberty. Download some coloring sheets and let your children color the statue. Older kids might want to watch videos on YouTube about the history of the statue!
- Make a Timeline
A timeline is a great tool for parents that show children how history is linear with thousands of events occurring around the same time. It also can be used to show the progression of events.
Create a timeline with your children. Start with the landing of the Pilgrims and continue throughout the development of the nation, pinpointing important time periods of events, such as the founding of states and the Boston Tea Party.
Once the timeline is completed, make sure you hang it on the walls to display for all to see as you celebrate our nation.
- Paint Fireworks with Straws
Kids love crafts! Lay straws in blue or red paint then place them on plain, white paper. Continue to do so in a circular, flower-like pattern. Your kids will enjoy painting their fireworks! Of course, you can use other paint colors if your child prefers.
The Fourth of July is the perfect time to teach your child about the United States of America while enjoying one of the best holidays. Try one or all of these activities to make the most out of this week.
