Crafts for Kids -- Festive July 4th Decorations

Craft projects are a great way to keep kids occupied during the summer. So, why not help your kids make some of these quick and easy decorations for your July 4^th home barbecue?

Fireworks Paintings

Items needed:
--tempera or poster paints in red and blue
--white posterboard, cut into squares
--drinking straws

Give each child a posterboard square and a drinking straw. Plop a few drops of the red and blue paints in random spots on their posterboards (or, if the kids are old enough, let them do it themselves). Demonstrate how to blow out of the straw (showing not to suck in). Have the kids put their straws close to, but not touching their posterboards and blow the paint drops. The paint will spread out like July 4^th fireworks! Add more drops if desired.

After these have dried, take a hole punch and punch a hole in one corner of the square. Hang the squares with fishing line or string around your outdoor picnic area.

Patriotic Candy Centerpiece

Items needed:
--three glass or plastic jars with lids, various sizes
--red, white, and blue gumballs (enough to fill all of your jars)
--spool of red or blue ribbon, about ½ - ¾ inch wide (or use scrap ribbon you have on hand)

This is an easy centerpiece to make-and, it doubles as a guessing game for your barbecue guests! Have your kids fill each of the jars with the gumballs, making sure to count the gumballs as they fill the jars. (Write down the jar totals and keep it in a safe place.) Then have the kids cut the ribbon to tie around the necks of the jars. When guests arrive, let them guess how many gumballs are in each jar. The person whose guess is closest for each jar gets to take that jar home at the end of the barbecue.

Red, White, and Blue Napkin Rings

Items needed:
--toilet paper or paper towel tubes
--red and blue tempera or poster paints
--white fun foam or card stock
--scissors
--paintbrushes
--small star cookie cutters or templates in various sizes
--pencils
--glue

An adult or older child needs to do the first part of this craft. Take the toilet paper or paper towel tubes and cut them across the tube so that you have rings that are about 1 ½ inch wide. Then let the kids paint the rings red or blue (the inside of the rings doesn't need to be painted since that will not really be seen). While waiting for the paint to dry, let the kids trace the star templates or cookie cutters onto the fun foam or card stock. Have them cut the shapes out as well. Once the paint has dried, the kids can glue the star shapes on the napkin rings however they want.

These napkin rings come in really handy for a large gathering. You can get the kids to roll up plastic forks, knives, and spoons into napkins and insert them into the rings. Then, place all of the filled napkin rings into a large basket-your guests will simply need to reach in and grab a ring when they are ready to eat.

July 4^th Garland

Items needed:
--red, white, and blue construction paper
--scissors
--glue sticks or tape

If you want your picnic area to look more festive, this garland is sure to do it-and, it couldn't be easier. Have your kids cut the sheets of construction paper into strips about 2 inches wide. After all of the strips are cut, start making a chain. Roll one strip and seal it closed with glue or tape. Insert the tip of another strip into the first roll, then roll that one up and seal it. And so on, and so on. In no time you will have yards of festive garland! Let your kids decide how to do it-it doesn't have to be a specific pattern, let them have fun with it. Hang the garland across the trees in your backyard or along the side of the house, wherever you want.

Independence Day Tablecloth

Items needed:
--piece of white canvas material large enough to cover your picnic table
--red and blue fabric paints
--rubber stamps in star shapes (optional)

If possible, wash the canvas before beginning this project. If not, the project will still work, but the paint will stay on the canvas better if the material is washed first.

Tape the canvas down on a flat surface where your children can work-perhaps a basement floor or in the garage, or maybe you have a craft table where they can paint. Put the red and blue paints in shallow containers. If you have rubber stamps, the kids can use those; if not, they can use their handprints to decorate the canvas. Messy, yes, but if the kids overlap the handprints and make interesting designs, the tablecloth will turn out looking quite nice. You may even prefer the handprint tablecloth since it is more personal. Make sure the kids paint all over the canvas, not just in one section. After the paint has dried, put the canvas in your dryer for about 20 minutes on a high setting-this will heat set the paint on the canvas. You may want to iron the canvas before using it on your table for the barbecue, but I'm sure all of your guests will love it!

These ideas will help you to make your July 4^th home barbecue fun and festive for the whole family-give them a try!

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