Community Corner

Rainy-Day Ideas for the Fourth of July

Are you trying to think of things to do inside on this rainy Fourth of July? Need a few ideas to keep the kids (and maybe yourself) entertained?

  • What’s red, white, blue, and green? A patriotic turtle!
    From Jessica, age 7
  • What did one flag say to the other flag? Nothing. It just waved!
    From Eloise, age 9
  • Why did Paul Revere ride his horse from Boston to Lexington? Because the horse was too heavy to carry!
    From Betty, age 9
  • How is a healthy person like the United States? They both have good constitutions!
    From Tom P., age 8
  • What dance was very popular in 1776? Indepen-dance!
    From Rachel, age 8
  • Teacher: “Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? Student: “On the bottom!”
    From Christy, age 14
  • Did you hear the one about the Liberty Bell? Yeah, it cracked me up!
    From Tom P., age 8

Add in a few fun games

The Red, White and Blue Circle Game is a great way to entertain kids while getting them to settle down for a meal and at the same time works well at engaging adults too. Everyone sits in a circle. The first person in the circle must name something that is red, the next person names something that is white, and the next person names something that is blue. You continue around this way in the circle. You cannot repeat an item that has already been said nor can you take longer than 5 seconds to name something of a specific color. If you name something a second time or take too long to answer you are out. The game continues until there is one winner.

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In the garage, you could set up a patriotic balloon toss by filling up red, white and blue water balloons. Next you create two parallel lines of equal numbers of party guests an equal distance apart. Start relatively close together and have one line of people throw their balloon to their partner across from them in the other line. If the balloon is caught successfully, have both team members take one step backward and throw the balloon again. Continue to back up until all but one team has dropped (or popped) their water balloon.

In the basement, you could create obstacle courses and relay races like an Uncle Sam dress-up relay where team mates must race back and forth across the yard and stopping to put on things such as a top hat, white shirt, whipped cream beard, etc. The team who can go back and forth the fastest while successfully finishing as a dressed Abe Lincoln or Uncle Sam, wins the game.

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Obstacle courses can be even more personalized as you can do just about anything to incorporate the 4th of July theme into your game. Use buckets, rings, a tricycle, a beach ball, some sidewalk chalk, a small wading pool, some bubbles, pennies, a stop watch, etc. Before beginning, demonstrate to your guests how the obstacle course is to be run. You may want to have your course run in alternating directions. Have two teams compete at the same time or stop the stop watch when the last player of the first team finishes and record the time. Then the next team repeats the process and is timed with the stop watch. The team that completes the obstacle course in the shortest amount of time is the winner.

Toss in a few coloring pages (and a few moreand/or a make-your-own-flag craft:

Celebrating the 4th of July gives everyone a wonderful opportunity to make some really fun crafts. Easy to make crafts can help you fill those summer days leading up to the 4th or give you something to do when you are waiting for the fireworks to begin. Whether you are looking to decorate your home, have something to wave at the big parade or want to add some festive fun to your 4th of July party there is a craft project for you. Best of all these projects can be done by crafters of all ages and skill levels. So break out the red, white and blue and get ready to make some crafts that show how proud and patriotic you really are!

July Fourth Flag-You can celebrate the country’s birthday with the fanfare it’s due by waving a handmade fan that looks like the American flag.

What you will need:

• 17- by 5 1/2-inch piece of white paper 
• Ruler 
• Pencil 
• Red and blue markers 
• Pushpin 
• Plastic drinking straws 
• Paper fastener 
• Tape

Instructions for the project-In the upper left-hand corner of the paper, measure and mark a rectangle that’s 8 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches high. Draw rows of stars within the rectangle and then color around them with blue marker. Divide the rest of the paper into stripes and color every other one red. Now fold the paper accordion style making sure you are folding vertically. You can then create a frame for the fan by using the pushpin to poke a hole through each straw, 1 inch from the bottom. Join the three straws with the paper fastener. Spread apart the top of the straw frame, fit the flag onto the frame, and tape it in place.

Pepper with a few fun facts:  

• The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776
• “The Committee of Five -- John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman – came up with a draft for the Declaration of Independence, decided that Jefferson would write the Declaration, and first presented the document to Congress on June 28, 1776.  It was signed a week later.

• The United States Declaration of Independence declared that the Thirteen Colonies in North America be “free and independent states.”

• The Declaration explained the justifications for separation from the British crown.
• It was also an expansion of Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution which had been passed on July 2.
• The Declaration of Independence is on display in the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.
• The Declaration of Independence is considered to be the founding document of the United States of America
• Americans celebrate Independence on July 4 which was the day that the Declaration was adopted.
• John Hancock was the first and only person to sign the Declaration on July 4, 1776.
• John Hancock was the President of the Continental Congress at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
• The remaining 54 delegates did not sign the Declaration until August 2, 1776. 

Mix in a yummy treat (or two)

Idea #1 Red-White-Blue Birthday Cake (recipe attached by recipegirl.com)

Idea #2 Uncle Sam Ice Cream Cones

How about a cute, cool, and amazing looking presidential ice cream cone. If you have young ones at the activities, this will be a sure hit. Here is how it works. You use an ice cream cone, ice cream, frosting and some decorating to create miniature presidents. Here is the link that has detailed instructions.  By Family Fun Uncle Sam Cone

Idea #3 Patriotic Quilt Cake

This cake is a cool and tasty way to bring a special treat to your guests. The look is very festive. The style is soft and summery. All and all, this takes a little time, but will be a huge hit with your guests. Check out this link for full instructions.  By Kraft Foods

Idea #4 Strawberries and Cream Cheese Filling

The strawberries resemble flowers. The taste is healthy and fresh. This is a nice dessert that is patriotic but not high in sugar. Place these beautiful creations on blue trays and you will bring amazing color to your 4th of July table. Here is how it is done.  By About.com Southern Cuisine

And you’re sure to have a Happy Fourth of July. Enjoy!


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