Independence Day Crafts with the Kids and Grandkids

Craft fun for the Fourth of July!

And it's not just for kids. I write this blog for grandparents and their grands, but these crafts can be done just by grandparents. If your kids are out-of-town or just unavailable, there is no reason grandparents can't do these on their own. It's too darn hot in Texas to be going outside, so if you're looking for a craft to do inside, these might be the ticket!

What was it John Adams said about Independence Day? "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival...It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade..." And this from the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 5, 1777, "About noon all the armed ships and rallies in the river were drawn up before the city, dressed in the gayest manner, with the colors of the United States and streamers displayed." And that's what I try to do at my house--dress it in the happiest style, with red, white and and blue and streamers displayed! And I love to involve my grandkids in this endeavor. This year we did another craft. Instructions follow.

Red, White and Blue Wall Hanging.

The first craft we did was the star door or wall hanging pictured above. It is made of popsicle sticks and raffia ribbon. It's pretty straight forward--create the stars from craft sticks, paint them in patriotic colors, and attach to raffia streamers. My grandson is eight years old, so this was a fairly easy craft for him.

​You'll need these supplies: acrylic outdoor paints in red, white and blue, raffia ribbon, a hot glue gun, and craft sticks.

Red, white and blue patio/outdoor paint available at craft stores.

Six-inch craft sticks also available at local craft stores.

This raffia ribbon came from a big-box discount store.

I had to get online for instructions on how to create stars out of five popsicle sticks. LOL.

Finished stars ready to be painted.

And so the painting begins. These are water-based paints so the clean-up is easy.

It was a fun activity. After we made three patriotic hangings, we sent one in the mail to his great grandmother; we delivered one to his favorite great-aunt who lives here in town, and then we presented his dad with one to be displayed on their front porch.

Next up--a 4th of July porch display!

Wooden firecrackers just for the fun of it!

Another straight forward task. His grandfather used a leftover wooden cedar post (from a fencing project) for this patriotic display. Adney couldn't help with the sawing of the posts, but everything else, he did, from the painting to the shopping for ribbon and sparklers. 

This craft requires one cedar post cut by an adult in various lengths. You'll also need silk ribbon in red, white and blue, paints in those same colors, and some sparklers 

You'll need those same paints as mentioned for the star project. You'll also need silk ribbon in patriotic motifs.

My husband cut the cedar post (grandson did NOT help with this), but if you go to Lowe's or Home Depot, I think they will cut it for you in desired lengths.

Some of the sparklers/picks we found to embellish our wooden firecrackers.

Forgot to add that the cedar posts need a small hole drilled in the top to accommodate these red, white and blue picks.

Grandson and his Poppa painted the posts in the garage.

Posts (for firecrackers) drying in the garage.

The finished project!

Many blessings to doing this craft with your grandkids (or sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives). Decorating your home shows to your grandchildren the importance of love for your country and the blessings and freedoms we enjoy here. It's such a great bonding time when you can do some craft or art activity with them. They tend to share their thoughts and feelings during this time of working together. It shows them you value their expertise and opinion when you take them to the craft store to pick out any items you might need. And I try not to do any craft "in and of itself." I always try to provide an avenue for them to share their finished product with others. We usually send our crafts to his great-grandmother and other family members. 

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Celebrate and festoon your own home the way our forefathers suggested!