Independence Day with Littles

By
Mandy
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0
When I think back on Independence Day I always smile because I was proposed to on July 3, 2014 and we celebrated with my family on July 4th.  You see, my husband and I were visiting family in the Greater New York City area.  We decided to be tourists for the day and take the 3 hours Circle Line Boat Tour of the city. As we were passing Lady Liberty he asked me to stand up so that he could take a picture. As I stood up, he knelt and pulled out the ring. I shrieked, and said “yes!” All of the tourists on the boat smiled or cheered, and my father happened to snap a picture of the moment.

The next day we had a picnic in my uncle’s favorite NJ town. Twenty of my relatives and I gathered in the parking lot of a local grocery store. As the sun set, the air got a little chilly and my Florida man gave me his sweatshirt. My family sat in a semi-circle as we watched the nearby fireworks. It was a perfect vacation.

Engaged 4th July

Well, since then I’ve gotten married, had my daughter, I have a son on the way, but one thought remains: how do I make Independence Day feel magical to them? I think my 14mo old is a little young for fireworks.  The truth is, she doesn’t like the beach just yet, and we tried a parade last year, which seemed fun, but with the temperatures expected to be in the 90’s I don’t know if I want my fair little girl sitting on the side of a road just yet.  With all this in mind,  I’ve come up with the following ideas:

1. Finger paint Fireworks!

Most little kids love exploring things and getting messy.  Take a white crayon, draw some fireworks and watch them appear as your child paints over them with red and blue paint.  Did you remember this elementary school trick? It seems like magic to young kids. If your 8,9 & 10 year olds are anything like my cousins, they might like to write “secret” patriotic messages to each other with the white crayon and then paint over them to “reveal” the secret.

2. Sidewalk chalk flags!

I went to Target the other day and found a cornucopia of boxes of sidewalk chalk! My daughter is just starting to embrace coloring and the fat pieces of chalk were just what she needed. We’ve designated a spot on our back patio for chalk, and she’ll be out there coloring (chalking?) with her little friends on the forth.  As an educational bonus, I’ve drawn the outline of the stars and stripes and intend to let them color those in.

3. Patriotic Music

We all know the Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful and Take Me Out to the Ball Game, but chances are, if your children aren’t school age yet, these songs are new to them. During the week of Independence Day listen to these songs with your kids and talk about what it means to see “purple mountains majesty,” I guarantee it will turn into a giggle fest. 

4. Festive Food

Who doesn’t love hot dogs?  Unless you or kids are under 4, you are pregnant, or have other dietary restrictions, enjoy some hot dogs with plenty of fixins! Although they were invented in Germany, nothing quite feels like the 4th to me like chowing down on chips and hotdogs. Or if hotdogs are not your thing, try blue corn tortillas, red salsa, and white queso dip.  Or there are always blueberries, strawberries and whip cream. Or what’s is as American as Apple Pie? You can make one with a star in the middle and ask your kids which colony it stands for. Your imagination is the limit when it comes to putting together patriotic food for your littles! 
Which colony do apples come from?
 

5. Holiday Shopping!

OK, I know that Labor Day and Christmas are more likely to get us mom’s in the stores, but if you’re like me, you shop for sweaters in July. I just can’t pass up that pink sweater for 75% off.  And yes, I know Palm Beach has maybe 2 sweater wearing days of the year, but you know what? Sometimes the air conditioning is kinda chilly, and that pink sweater is perfect.
 

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