There's no such thing as too much Fourth of July fun! So, we asked a few of our author bloggers to share their favorite Independence Day activities this week. Whether it's creating a star-studded pizza, hosting your own 4th of July parade, or becoming president for the day, this Independence Day is sure to be fun (and maybe even the teeniest bit educational) with these creative activity ideas!
4th of July Parade
(from Marie Faust Evitt, author of Thinking BIG, Learning BIG: Connecting Science, Math, Language and Literacy in Early Childhood)
Materials
- Red, white, and blue crepe paper, construction paper, stickers, stars and stripes, or whatever you have handy.
- Trike, bike, scooter, stroller, wagon (optional)
What to do
- Everyone in your family, on your street, or in your early childhood program can deck out your homegrown parade 'float.'
- For those who don't ride, make big signs to carry saying, Happy Birthday USA!
- At the chosen time, blast patriotic music, ride, march, and whoop it up. Here's to the red, white and blue!!!
Star-Studded Pizza
(from MaryAnn F. Kohl, author of Cooking Art)
Ingredients
- 3 square slices of packaged cheese, such as cheddar or American
- Half of a 3 1/2-ounce package of sliced pepperoni (or use a different color of cheese slice, such as mozzarella or Monterrey Jack)
- Prepared frozen cheese pizza or any pizza crust and pizza sauce of your choice
Utensils
- Oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (or according to package directions)
- 2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter
- 3/4-inch star-shaped cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- Oven mitt
Process
- With the 2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut each slice of cheese into two stars. The extra cheese trimmings can be used to decorate the pizza.
- With a 3/4-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut a star from each slice of pepperoni. Chop the pepperoni trimmings to add to the pizza later, too.
- Spread the pepperoni and cheese stars over the pizza. Add any extra pepperoni or cheese trimmings. Add other colorful foods of your choice, such as sliced olives, red or green pepper slices in circles, mushrooms, etc. Lots and lots of decorating makes the pizza explode with Fourth of July colors, like fireworks!
- Place the pizza on the baking sheet. Slide the pizza in the oven, and bake according to package directions, usually about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Wear an oven mitt, and remove the star-studded pizza from the oven. Serve as an entree or as a party snack. Serve with holiday napkins and paper plates for extra festive fun!
President for a Day
(from Karen Cairone, author of Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure)
Materials
- Art supplies
- Paper
- Pictures of the White House and the president
What to do
- Discuss the role of the president and the White House with your child.
- Remind your child that one of the big responsibilities a president has is to help make rules (also called laws).
- Discuss why we need leaders and laws and rules. Discuss why, in general, most rules come under these three main categories:
- Take care of ourselves
- Take care of our friends
- Take care of the place we live and learn
- Talk about the rules you may have in your home. Talk about why you need rules at home as well as at school and in our country as a whole.
- Together with your child, make a list of rules that everyone should follow at home, and hang it up in the house for all to see. When your child has the chance to play "president," she will feel more empowered and eager to follow household rules.
