Safe Fourth of July Activities for Kids

Who in their right mind thinks “It’s perfectly okay for little Timmy to play with matches all by himself”? Or who says “Here Emma Lou, see what happens when you make these rockets explode!”?

No one may say it or think it, but it happens.

Every year on the 4^th of July and during other celebrations of the same nature, hundreds of people are injured in firework related accidents, including children. Fireworks, while tons of fun to watch and enjoy, are not meant as playthings for children.

Did you know that sparklers, a very common firework given to children, burn at temperatures between 1500-2000 degrees? These are clearly not meant for little kids or toddlers to play with, even though they seem like so much fun. And what about firecrackers, bottle rockets or fountains? These can each cause serious skin burns, eye injuries, limb injuries and even possibly death.

Who wants to wish that on their kids?

What can kids do then to mimic the fun the adults can have without becoming injured? Below is a list of activities for kids of all ages to enjoy on the 4^th of July that don’t require real fireworks—just fun pretend ones!

1. Freeze Firework—Freeze firework is very similar to freeze dancing. With kids’ music playing in the background, kids can dance around to their hearts content. When the music stops, they need to jump in the air and do their best firework impression before freezing. When the music starts again, dancing resumes. This could be fun for adults to join in as well!

2. Colored Bubbles—What else can fly up in the sky and make pretty colors? Colored bubbles! Crayola has created bubbles that contain washable colored dyes. There are also bubbles called Zubbles that are non-staining. (Warning: Some parents claim that colored bubbles are not washable. Be careful of the clothing the kids wear and where they are standing…read all labels carefully!)

3. Sidewalk Chalk Fireworks—Kids can create and draw their own fireworks on the sidewalk or patio with sidewalk chalk. My son even likes to decorate his crab sandbox with chalk (washes right off). What would make it even more fun? Glow in the dark chalk! By day they are simple colored firework drawings, and by night they are alive with a glowing light!

4. Finger Paint Flags—Kids can have fun creating their own patriotic flags using finger paint and paper or fabric. Once the flags are finished drying, the flags could be displayed for all to see, perhaps on a clothesline or on the railing of a deck. Make sure not to hang them where any adults might be using fireworks, though…

5. Glow-in-the-Dark Shirts—Kids can make glow-in-the-dark shirts using glow-in-the-dark fabric paint and plain t-shirts, which can be found at any arts and crafts store. Once night has fallen, kids can have fun running around, allowing their shirts to glow like fireworks!

6. Firework Cookies—All this requires is a simple recipe for sugar cookies (or knowing where to buy them), colored icing and sprinkles. Kids can decorate their sugar cookies, making different kinds of fireworks on them. Best part of this? These are ‘fireworks’ that can be eaten! Plus, the sugar from the cookie and icing will make any kid go bopping around, which can be just as fun as watching fireworks!

Bottom line, be safe with your kids this 4^th of July. If there are going to be fireworks in your backyard, be sure to take all precautions to ensure that no one is injured.

For a list of injury prevention from fireworks, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission site here.

Have a happy AND safe 4^th of July!

©ThePracticalMommy