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Fourth of July Arts & Crafts- contributed by Sue Davies, Resource Connection for Kids
Decorate Your Bike Red crepe paper streamers White crepe paper streamers Blue crepe paper streamers Scissors Tape Bicycle or tricycle
Directions:
Decorate your bike with the different colors of streamers. Use the tape to attach it and the scissors to cut the streamers. You can sometimes create streamers by pushing a bit of streamers in the handle bar grip end where there is a hole. These streamers will float when you ride your bike. Now have a neighborhood parade!
Fourth of July Crowns Cut several lengths of wire garland and twist into a circle. You may wrap it loosely around a pencil to give it a curly look. Cut 10 -15 lengths of curling ribbon and tie onto the back of the halo (where you have twisted the garland together). It will be darling for a parade! The garlands that are used have stars on them and are available at craft stores in the giftwrap section.
Star Necklaces Supply the children with star shaped beads and yarn. You can also have the children cut out star shapes from construction paper. Then, have them use a hole punch to make a hole, so they can thread them onto a piece of yarn.
Ball Catchers 2 Plastic milk cartons or laundry detergent bottles Sharp scissors Colored electrical tape or "Painters" paint markers Ball to play with
Directions:
Wash and let dry the milk cartons well before starting. Note: It may be easier to cut the bottom off of the containers first.
Use the sharp scissors to cut the milk carton or detergent bottle. First, cut off the bottom, then cut a U shape under the handle. Make sure you don't cut into the handle so you can hold on the ball catch. (see photo)
Use the colored electrical tape or "Painters" paint markers to decorate the milk cartons. Have fun playing catch and toss with these fun toys.
Make Your Own Flag Materials: 2 x 18 (or poster board) Markers Scissors Tape 3/4 " dowel (optional) Clear Con-Tact paper (optional)
Directions:
Write your name (really big) in the middle of the paper. Decide what things in your life are important to you. It could be your hobbies, team sports, pets, church, or anything else. Pick a symbol to stand for each activity and draw them on the flag. (Or you could cut the symbols from construction paper and use glue to place them on the flag.) Try to think of as many things as you can that remind you of yourself so that the flag will be bright and colorful and really represent your life. If you have clear Con-Tact paper, cover your flag so that it will be more durable (it will last longer.) If you have a dowel (these are wooden sticks you can buy at the hardware store or craft store), now is the time to give your flag its flagpole. Put several pieces of tape on the left (short) edge and wrap this around your dowel so that your flag will be able to stand up. 5. Put it somewhere special!
String Splatter Fireworks Painting Black or dark blue construction paper Tempera paint Yarn or string Scissors Muffin tin or egg carton Paint brushes Smock or painting shirt (this one can get messy!) Glitter (optional) Newspaper
How To Make It
Spread the newspaper out to cover your work area. (This is also a great "outdoor" activity!) Put on your smock or painting shirt to protect your clothes. Put the different colors of tempera paint into the sections of the muffin tin or egg carton. If you would like, you can mix a small amount of glitter into the paint. Use the scissors to cut the yarn into manageable lengths (6 to 10 inch lengths usually work well.) One color at a time, dip a piece of yarn into its "own" color and, holding on to the clean part, drop the yarn down on different parts of the paper. When you have as much as you would like of that color, use another piece of yarn for the next color. Dip the paintbrush into the paint. Stand back a little and "spatter" the paint onto the paper. (This should make nice patterns that look a lot like fireworks.) Repeat with the other colors until your "fireworks light up the sky!" Let them dry. If you would like, you can create one for each family member. Then cover them with Con-Tact paper and use them as Independence Day
placemats.
Red, White, and Blue Dance Ribbons Paper towel roll tube Tacky glue Scissors Roll of red ribbon Roll of blue ribbon Roll of white ribbon Roll of striped red, white, and blue ribbon Hole punch Measuring tape, ruler, or yardstick
How To Make It Wrap the striped red, white, and blue ribbon around the paper towel tube, applying tacky glue under the ribbon as you work. You can wrap the ribbon at an angle or horizontally, whatever you prefer. After ribbon is applied and glue has dried, punch 9 holes in the bottom of the paper towel tube with the hole punch. Cut three strips of red ribbon that are about 46 inches long. Cut three strips of blue ribbon that are about 46 inches long. Cut three strips of white ribbon that are about 46 inches long. Tie a knot in the top of each strip of ribbon. Pull each of the strips through the holes so the knot is on the inside of the tube.
Flag Art
Obtain a large piece of white butcher paper. You will also need blue paper, red and white paint and star shaped sponges. Have the children glue on the blue square to the upper left hand side of the paper. You will then have them use the star shaped sponges in the white paint to make the stars. Then, use the red paint to paint each child's hands and then make the red stripes of the flag with their handprints.
Variation I: Use silver star stickers instead of sponge painting.
Variation II: Use smaller pieces of paper and have each child do their own using their fingerprints to make the red stripes.
Variation III: Paint the lines red instead of using handprints.
Star Art: Cut out star shaped for the children and have them decorate the shapes with markers, crayons, pens, paint, glitter, torn paper or create your own ideas with materials you have.
Fourth of July Wreath Cut the center out of a large paper plate. Trace the child’s handprint onto a piece of heavy paper to use as a patter. Trace the hand onto red, white, and blue paper, making about 4 hands from each color of paper. Glue the hands around the outside of the wreath (slightly overlapping so none of the plate show). Hot glue works best. Add a bow made with some ribbon in one the same colors. Glue a loop of yarn or string to the back for hanging your wreath.
For more fun things to make for the Fourth of July go to http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/july4/
