A Patriotic 4th of July: 10 Fun Ways to Celebrate the U.S.

Thinking of the 4th of July always brings images of parades and fireworks. These are great ways to celebrate, but there is a lot you can do to have fun with your kids and feel patriotic this holiday. Try these ten ideas for fun ways to celebrate the fourth with your family.

1. Get the history basics

down.

Many families don’t even know why we celebrate the fourth. Sometimes there are even mixed feelings about the holiday considering difficult parts of the nation’s history or the current state. You can honor all of those feelings while still recognizing why we celebrate.

The Fourth of July celebrates America becoming a nation. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Today, we celebrate to honor the founding of the United States and the freedom it represents.

A fun way to share this with kids is with books. Some great options are:

• The Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia

A. Pingry

• The 4th of July Story by Alice

Dalgliesh

• Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder

Naberhaus

in the window. You can even use sidewalk chalk to make one in the driveway. Kids also love the small flags available at this time of year. Try lining your walkway with them or putting one by your mailbox.

3. Make patriotic tie-dye. You just need red and blue dye to make a patriotic tie-dye. White cotton shirts or tank tops are perfect for a fun Fourth of July craft to make before the fourth. Have the whole family make them and then wear them to your Fourth of July activities.

4. Get colorful. Try fun face paint and nail polish for a festive look to go with your shirts. Red, white, and blue strips and stars are a great way to show your American spirit.

for the Fourth of July. You can make it a day trip or a longer getaway to visit a noteworthy place or monument in United States history. Search for National Landmarks in each state online and set out on an educational adventure.

7. Get crafty.

Have some family craft time in honor of the red, white, and blue. You can try a simple craft like painting rocks with stars and stripes to leave around the yard or town. This is great for all ages and doesn’t require a lot of supplies. A quick online search for Fourth of July crafts will give you plenty of creative ideas!

8. Go on a scavenger hunt.

Create or download a holidaythemed scavenger hunt. The list can challenge people to find things like a flag, a holiday shirt, a soldier, or an apple pie. You can customize the list for your needs. This is great to do during a parade or family cookout.

9. Thank someone.

The freedom we have in the United States is maintained by dedicated service men and women. Consider visiting a VA hospital, making cards or care packages for veterans, and thanking service members in the community.

10. Make holiday food.

You can eat so many things to represent and celebrate the Fourth of July. Try some of the holiday classics like watermelon and apple pie. You can also make themed treats like a red-white-and-blue trifle or star-shaped cookies.

2. Display your flag.

Roberts

• Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies by Cokie

5. Paint your yard. Grab some grass-friendly spray paint and make your yard the talk of the neighborhood. Spray some red and white stripes for the perfect way to stand out. You can even make starshaped cut-outs from cardboard as a stencil for the white stars and blue background.

Hanging an American flag is a great way to get in the red, white, and blue spirit. If you don’t have a full-size flag, your kids can paint or color one to hang

6. Visit a historic landmark. A family trip to a Historic National Landmark is a great way to feel patriotic

No matter how you decide to celebrate, remember that it is a privilege to be able to do so. While there is still important change and progress to be made, we can celebrate our country’s founding in fun ways.

Accepting

If you could grow anything in the garden, what would it be?

What is your favorite thing about yourself?

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

An Amazon box shows up. What do you hope is inside?

*Source – familyeducation.com

— by Dr. Donna Phillips

did not deter her. In fact, it made her even more determined. This determination paid off when she was eventually invited to run for the House of Representatives in Illinois. The rest, as they say, is history. This story is a source of inspiration for all who hold service to this country in their heart.

July is the month to celebrate the United States! We celebrate the founding of our country. We celebrate those who have fought for our freedom internally and in the world. We celebrate all the things that make us the same and we celebrate the things that make us different. It is our oneness and our diversity that make us great! It is the time when we demonstrate to ourselves, our families, our friends, our community, and the world that we can live together in peace and harmony. How do we do this? We can start with good books and use them to listen and learn from each other.

My Red, White, and Blue (Philomel, New York, 2023, $18.99), written by Alana Tyson and illustrated by London Ladd, is an exceptionally written and illustrated book. Using descriptive and poetic language and masterful illustrations, it explores and celebrates the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beauty of our country and our journey to where we are today. Through the eyes of a young black boy, we see how he observes the people around him, processes historical events, and makes personal connections to those who have come before him. With optimism, he recognizes the struggles that have made us the country we are today. Throughout his testimony, he validates and celebrates his commitment to his ancestors’ dreams, to his country, and to his future as he joins others “who find pride in the red, white, and blue.” This is a book for everyone and could provide a wonderful opportunity for your family to think about tracing your journey to where you are today. It should be on everyone’s list of best books for the summer.

A Life of Service: The Story

of Senator Tammy Duckworth (Candlewick Press, Somerville, 2022, $18.00), written by Christina Soontornvat and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, tells the story of Tammy Duckworth’s journey from her childhood in Thailand to becoming the first female disabled veteran to serve in the House and the Senate. At the age of seven, she and her family were rescued from Cambodia along with other United Nation’s employees and refugees seeking safety.

Through homelessness, hunger, and hard work at school she remained committed to serving America and those in need. Her decision to join the Army National Guard as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot gave her the opportunity she was looking for. The loss of her legs in a grenade attack

Being the child of military personnel is never easy. When Your Daddy’s a Soldier (Viking, New York, 2023, $17.99), written by Gretchen Brandenburg McLellan and illustrated by Ed Keller, shows us just how hard it can be. Written from the perspective of a young boy, we learn what life is like for children, husbands, and wives when one of them has to leave for deployment. Long hours of concern yield to happy hugs and happier times. Sometimes children get quiet, sometimes they even regress.

They can send letters and messages. They can plan for a homecoming party. They use their imaginations to pretend they are alongside their missing loved one. With the support of family, friends, and the community, the away time can be a bit less hard and the return that much more meaningful.

You, Me, We: A Celebration of Peace and Community (Candlewick Press, Somerville, 2022, $18.00), written by Arun Gandhi and Bethany Hegedus, with childlike illustrations by Andrés Landazábal, is a simple exploration of peace. Written for young children, it answers such questions about peace like, “Where continued on page 39