Fourth of July flashback for you:
According to family lore, as a little girl I had the rare opportunity to have a “Jumping Jack” firecracker jump into my hair. My gallant brother quickly put it out by dunking my head in the nearby irrigation ditch. Thankfully, I wasn’t hurt and the story often leads to jokes about whether or not there was actually any firecracker involved or if my brother just took advantage of an opportunity to dunk his little sister.
While it’s become a bit of a family joke, the very serious fact remains that the combination of fireworks and kiddos can be a dangerous intersection.
So, with the Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner for those of you in the States, here’s a roundup of kid-friendly activities that will still bring on the “oohs” and “aahs”. (And for those of you outside of the States, it’s always a good time to create some memorable fun with your little ones!)
First off, some great tips on having a fun, safe Fourth of July from Saving Cents with Sense. I’d heard of the sparkler cuffs, but not the playdough idea. Brilliant!
Our traditional fire-free favorite around here is the age-old Alka-Seltzer rocket. The kids love it, and it couldn’t get much easier!
Another favorite for our family is homemade root beer. I realize making a sugary drink doesn’t sound equivalent to setting off fireworks, but once you plop in the dry ice, you’ll see the same look of wonder and amazement in your kids’ faces!
This year, we’re planning on making a new tradition. Steve Spangler’s Smoke Ring Launcher! I saw Steve do this at a conference this year, and I knew right away my boys would love it! You can find instructions at Steve Spangler’s site here, and watch him have some fun with Ellen here. (And learn some cool science on the way, of course!)
You don’t even have to wait for it to get dark to enjoy the Confetti Popper Rockets from AlphaMom. So if you’ve got little ones who won’t be able to wait up for the show, this might be a great alternative!
What do you have planned for the Fourth? Make it a safe one!
We started doing root beer last year after you shared it! We also like to do balloon rockets with a straw on a string. We put them up around the yard and it makes for some fun times! Excited to add some new ones! Thanks!
I love it, Andrea!