4th of July Fun

Last year I posted these ideas and a reader asked me to repost them this year before the holiday. We are actually redoing most of these same activities this year. Except this time around Tyson is big enough to participate in many of them!

1. Playdough map- I put playdough on the United States on a map of the world. Logan stuck toothpick American flags into the playdough. Sounds kinda dumb, but he LOVED it!
2. Star sun catcher. I got this idea from Funny days with Mommy and Maddie.
3. Star Run- I modified a shape run activity from Hubbard's Cupboard. We placed several red, white, and blue stars on one side of the yard. On the other side of the yard, we placed one big red star, one big blue star, and one big white star.  Logan ran, picked up a star, and brought it back and matched it with the correct star.

After doing the color run, we put the stars in the driveway and practiced walking in a straight line, jumping, and hopping on one foot (or at least attempting to hop on one foot).

4. Flag cookies- from Joyful Learning

Logan didn't really like the idea of making the flag cookies. I think it was too hard for him. So I just iced a graham cracker and he used blue and red star sprinkles to decorate.
5. Red, white, and blue windsock- from A Mommy's Adventures
6. Decorating a garbage truck for a 4th of July parade.- from JDaniel4'smom
7. Fireworks painting, using food coloring with water and straws to blow the "paint" into firework designs. (From Joyful Learning).

8. Book making- We created a file folder counting book. I would write, "I see 1 star, I see 2 stars, etc." Logan stuck the correct number of stars (with lots of help) onto the page. (I also modeled writing the words while he watched and saying sounds slowly as I wrote them down.)
9. Glitterworks- We created fireworks with glitter glue and paper. (From Joyful Learning)
10. Edible Sparkler- We created an edible sparkler by using pretzel rods, yogurt, and sprinkles. ( I substituted yogurt for the marshmallow creme that this website calls for. It worked OK.)
11. Star sort- We sorted red, silver, and blue stars by color and size.
Logan and Tyson also got to go on a Fourth of July camping trip with family and Logan got to hold a REAL sparkler.

This year we're going to up the ante and try out a firework show... we're even going to try and say up after dark!

How are you celebrating Independence Day?