Fireworks
This firework craft is our 4th of July version of our Love Bomb craft we made last year. That was such a hit I knew I’d have to do it again but I was waiting for just the right time. Yesterday was that time. It looks messy and daunting but this us actually a super simple 4th of July craft . I can’t help but think of bombs bursting in air when I see these fireworks!
- Gather your materials. You will need some paper bags, red, white and blue streamers, and I added some foil too. Scissors, glue and black paper. Oh and a vacuum on hand.
- Cut up the streamers and foil into small confetti pieces.
- Fill the bag.
- Add your glue to the black paper in the shape of a firework in the night sky.
- Fill your bag with air. PLEASE adults only for this step . If your child sucks in the air from the bag before blowing ( which is pretty natural to do) they could suck up some of the confetti. So it’s best left for the adults. Besides the kids don’t care about blowing it up they just want to pop it.
- Place the paper with glue on the floor and pop it!
- Scoop the extra confetti up and plop it on the glue.
After seeing her brother do it my ready to swim wee one decided it did look cool and joined in.
I popped the bag for her but she shook the contents all over her glue. 
- Let dry!
I know I sound like a nervous nelly but I really try to make sure that I treat your kids the way I treat my kids if not a little more cautiously. This is not a dangerous activity and my 6 year old thinks it’s beyond super cool but I do want to make sure that everyone is safe.
Books About The USA
Click the image to read the book reviews!
I had grand plans for dying rice, finding star shaped containers and some flags for a 4th of July sensory bin but life got in the way and I ran out of time. So yesterday when my daughter and I had some time alone and quiet ( after weeks of family and running around) I used it to make this simple sensory activity.
- Gather your materials. You will need a tray or pan some shaving cream, paint ( finger paint works great!) , glitter and some tools for mixing like paint brushes , spoons and spatulas.
- Spray the shaving cream in.
- Add the paint.
I started just by squeezing it on, then used a brush to make it look like fireworks . My daughter couldn’t care less she is 2 and has only ever seen them once . The goal for her is to mix and explore. - Add glitter! For you who aren’t keen on glitter you will like this , the glitter doesn’t spread all over. Ready for the kiddo- who was napping. Luckily the cream stays fluffy.
- Time to explore.
She immediately went for the tools I had laid out for her. - Asked for a napkin when she got some on her fingers.
- Mixed and mixed.
While she was exploring I narrated some, asked her what she saw, what she liked… but didn’t direct . Let them explore until they start throwing it on the floor or push away from the table. The great thing about this is that it really does last longer than you’d think. Hours later when my son got home from the beach with his dad he gave it a few mixes too.
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I am sure there are versions of this craft all over , I haven’t seen any lately but here is our take on a fun 4th of July craft. It’s the first craft we’ve done since the baby arrived and it was awesome to get back to “normal” making it with my little man. I like it because it’s simple but really adorable.
- Gather your materials. You will need a piece of white and a piece of black construction paper, red and blue paint, glue, 2 plates, scissors and glitter.
- Start by putting the paint on the plates.
- Dip your child’s hand in , get it well covered.
- Print on to the white paper.
- Repeat with other hand and color. We did 2 hands each.
- If your child is like mine have extra paper on hand to keep finger painting with the extra paint. This gives the hand prints time to dry some as well .
- Let the hand prints dry a little and cut out.
- While I cut them my son washed his hands, my sink, and my breakfast bowl… I wasn’t complaining.
- Although I ended up doing all the gluing because he was having fun in the sink. So now glue the hands together to look like fireworks.
- Add glue for the glitter. If the paint is still wet, you won’t need glue on the hands.
- He came back for glitter, imagine that!
- Let dry.
Need 4th of July Books? Check these out
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Summer is here. It’s almost time to celebrate Canada Day and The 4th of July! My favorite part of both days are the fireworks. I had to show my son videos of fireworks I found online because he’s never seen them in person. Although the videos could only capture half the magic he loved them and I can’t wait for him to see them in person this year.
- Gather your materials. You will need a piece of black construction paper, a few cupcake liners, markers, glitter ( of course), scissors and glue.
- Start by drawing on your cupcake liners with the markers. It was challenging for him to hold the liner and color, but a good challenge. If it’s frustrating , just tape the edges with masking tape.
- Fold your cupcake liner up and cut slits into it.
- Add glue to your black paper.
- Add your fireworks.
- Time for glitter.
- Let dry.
Books!
“Apple Pie 4th Of July” by Janet S. Wong is an awesome book. I am always awed by authors who can tackle complicated “adult” issues in the pages of a children’s book successfully. In this case the issue is 1st generation identity and immigration, at least that’s my take. The little girl in this book is sulking around her parent’s store on the 4th of July. They are busy making Chinese food for customers she is sure won’t come, who would want Chinese food on such an American holiday is her rational. Of course there are layers about her connection to her ancestral culture and her own national pride. As a proud owner of a green card and a Canadian passport I relate to this story, sure the differences are as deep or as obvious to an outsider but unlike the previous book when this book ended with fireworks I got tingles of pride for my adopted country. Fantastic book- and my son liked it too.
” M is for Maple, A Canadian Alphabet ” by Mike Ulmer. This book will make you feel proud to be from Canada if you are Canadian and teach you something about your neighbour if you are an American. It will also teach your children things about the country they live in and why we feel pride when we hear names like Terry Fox, Anne with an E and Gretzky! I love this book and have since I first read it during teacher’s college in Thunder Bay, if you can be happy about being in Canada during a very cold Thunder Bay winter you can be happy about it anywhere.
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