Fun on the 4th

They’re popping up everywhere! Red, white and blue flags are appearing on flagpoles, mailboxes, in gardens and on front doors. Patriotic bunting drapes porch railings. One of America’s most meaningful and fun celebrations is just around the corner. Picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings are synonymous with 4th of July celebrations. Enjoying your family in addition to celebrating Independence Day makes this special day joyful for everyone.

4th of July Crafts

The following crafts are easy enough for little hands. Just a quick refresher for Mom on the meanings of the flag colors: white signifies purity and innocence; red - hardiness & valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. You know your kids will ask!

Patriotic Garland

Supplies: red, white and blue construction paper, scissors, glue stick.

Create patriotic garlands for your kids to decorate your house, trees, and railings. Turn the construction paper sideways and cut inch-wide strips using the 8 ½-inch paper width as your template for uniform sizing. Glue the ends of the red strip together. Continue alternating the red, white and blue color scheme by interlocking the paper strips before applying the glue.

Star Ribbon Decorations

Supplies: Pre-cut red, white and blue foam stars; glue stick; red, white and blue curling ribbon; hole punch.

Tie these star streamers to your front door, mailbox, and fence posts. Choose four or more sets of stars in different colors and sizes. Glue the smaller star on top of the bigger star, alternating the color scheme for variety. Punch a hole in each set of stars. Cut equal lengths of ribbon, fashioning a loop at the top for a hanger. Thread the ribbons through the stars, tying knots to keep them in place. Space the stars out and leave enough ribbon to curl at the end.

Fix-ahead Recipes

Why not try out some easy new recipes for your Independence Day party? All of the following recipes can be prepared ahead of time.

Flag Cake

Ingredients: White cake mix, white icing, rectangular cake pan, strawberries (sliced), blueberries

Bake the cake according to the instructions and apply icing when cool. Use the blueberries to form the starred area of the flag in the upper left corner of the cake, allowing some white icing to peek through. Create the red stripes on your cake by making lines with the sliced strawberries.

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Despite what barbecue aficionados might want you to believe, there really is a basic barbecue recipe. The following recipe is perfect for using on any kind of meat. Add Tabasco sauce, honey, crushed garlic, Dijon mustard, chili flakes, or orange juice for a tropical flavor to make it your own. Remember to add small amounts and taste frequently until you get the perfect taste for you!

Ingredients: ½ cup Canola oil, 1 cup chopped onion, can of tomato puree, 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp. mustard powder, 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, ¾ cup brown sugar, ½ cup water

Sauté the onions in the oil. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

German Potato Salad

This is a favorite family recipe and the best part is that measurements aren’t precise – season it to taste. German potato salad is best served warm but also is fabulous after a day of letting the vinegar soak into the potatoes.

Ingredients: Bag of red potatoes, apple cider vinegar, Canola or vegetable oil, 4 stalks of celery, 1 bunch spring onions, salt

Clean and quarter the potatoes. Cook well until easily speared with a knife. Cut into bite-sized chunks and place in a large bowl. Add chopped celery and onions to the potatoes. Pour a minimal amount of Canola oil and vinegar on the potatoes (enough to coat). Sprinkle salt across the top and stir well. Give it a taste. Add more vinegar, oil, and salt to your preference.

Fun Independence Day Activities

July 4th picnics and barbecues wouldn’t be complete without games and activities. While the promise of spectacular fireworks waits in the evening, afternoon hours must be filled with fun for the whole family. Just to jog your memory, here are few of the “standard” fun games that are a great addition to any 4th of July gathering:

• Whiffle Ball
• Baseball
• Football
• Three-legged races (with patriotic leg ties, of course)
• Potato sack races
• Volleyball
• Horseshoes
• Croquet

Bucket sponge relay races

Supplies: 4 buckets, water, 2 sponges

Divide your players into two teams. Fill two buckets with water and place side by side. Put the empty buckets 50 feet away (longer if you want to really wear the kids out). The object is to move the water from the filled bucket to the empty bucket using only the sponge. Players must hand-slap the next player in line before taking their turn.

Patriotic Parade

Give the kids hats, instruments, bikes, trikes, and wagons. Decorate everything with streamers and ribbons (or some of your patriotic garland). Crank up some marching music and have a parade. If you notice the neighbors peeking out the windows, your parade is a success!

Driveway Decorations

Let the kids decorate the driveway for the 4th of July with colorful chalk. Some suggestions are flags, shooting stars, and special messages to family. Make a roadway decorated with houses, parks, and stores for riding bikes and trikes.

Red, White and Blue Tag

Each child is given a secret red, white or blue poker chip. Two players are designated “it” and must tag the other players. When they tag someone, they get their chip (and this person gets another from the referee and then becomes “it”). The player with one red, white, and blue is the winner!