Fourth of July Kid Crafts and teaching the origin of July 4th

Do your kids just know the Fourth of July as firecracker day?
Tell them all about the origins of the Fourth of July and make a craft and why not have a Boston tea party too.
Depending on the age of your kids, the many events that led up to Independence Day can be overwhelming and hard to comprehend. But, several web sites such as this one offer a general, short history you can retell to your children in a way they can understand. I'm telling my daughter about the first thirteen colonies wanting independence and how they finally got the Declaration of Independence passed. I thought I might mention the story of the Boston tea party since she loves playing tea time so much. Then, we'll create a fun Fourth craft.

Family Fun magazine has lots of easy and great July 4th craft ideas:

Flag Fan



Star Spangled Wavers (We used straws and paper instead of a wooden dowel and felt)











"John Adams, a lawyer, the first Vice President and the Second President of the United States, was one of the members of the Second Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence. He wrote to his wife, I believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."
from about.com