Down Home Fourth of July Fun With the Kids

Nothing is better than a "down home" July 4^th celebration with family and friends at home. You can munch on picnic foods and cupcakes, then make your way to exciting booth games and crafts for the kids. Put your patriotism on parade as we observe America's birthday, and deck out the yard with red, white and blue. Create some Independence Day decorations as a family, which is an awesome way to remember the historical meaning of this famous day in American history. So, here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate; hope you enjoy them!

Down home decorations

Deck out the yard or party area with American flags and red and white gingham tablecloths. Set a large jar of red, white and blue jellybeans on the main table and encourage your guests to guess how many candies it holds. Now, if you are making this a game, be sure to have counted as you filled the jar. String some lights for the evening hours, as you'll want to stick around to watch local fireworks or have a few safe ones in your yard.

Old-fashioned carnival corn dogs

Along with your favorite burgers, potato salad and beans, why not make some old-fashioned corn dogs? The kids can help you poke a craft stick into the ends of hot dogs. Most markets have corn biscuit dough (available in the supermarket refrigerated section). Take each section and wrap a hot dog completely, pinching the seams together. Place these corn dogs on ungreased cookie sheets. Brush with melted butter and bake at 375 degrees F, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the corn dogs are golden brown.

Prize-winning cupcakes

The day before the party, bake batches of vanilla cupcakes in silver metallic liners. Your kids will love to help in the kitchen. On the party day, place the cupcakes on the main table along side of bowls with red, white and blue frosting. Set out all kinds of sprinkles and little American flag toothpicks (available at party stores). Let the guests decorate their own cupcakes. You can even make this a contest with an award-winning ribbon for first place décor.

Let's go fishing

Remember the old-fashioned fishing game at carnivals? Arrange a half-dozen small fishbowls or party vases on a table. Place a plastic fish inside and fill with water. A few drops of blue food coloring makes the fishbowls look authentic. Have the children stand about three feet away from the cluster of bowls and attempt to toss a ping-pong ball into one. Give them each a few chances. Pass out party store prizes for winners, or better yet, let every child get a prize for trying!

Playing some coffee can drums

You just can't have an Independence Day gathering without some parading around the yard. Let the kids craft some drums for the cadence. Provide some paints in patriotic colors and let the kids make some USA drawings on construction paper. Wrap and glue the paper onto an empty inverted coffee can. Any excess paper hanging can be fringed. Have an adult punch two holes into the sides of the can (make sure to hammer them smooth to protect tiny fingers) and string ribbon through them to make a drum necklace. Pass out some wooden spoons and let the drumming begin. Rat-tat-tat-tat! Happy Fourth Everyone!

Source: personal experience

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