by Pamela Kay

Created on: June 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 28, 2008

Kids usually have their own ideas about what to do on the 4th of July. They want to go swimming or camping, have a cookout, play games, go to a parade, stay up late and watch the fireworks. These are all fun activities but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate or there is a ban on fireworks. Not to worry, here are some fun 4th of July activities for kids of all ages.

PARADES

1-See a Parade
Find the nearest town that is having a parade, get up early, and go. If it looks like rain, use a red, white and blue umbrella or poncho or have a Parade Party at home and watch it on TV.

2-Join the Parade!
Dress as a historical figure and fall into line. Go as Ben Franklin and carry a kite or as Betsy Ross and carry a flag.

3-Make a Parade
Get the neighborhood kids together and decorate your bikes, tricycles, skateboards, go carts and wagons and have your own kid's parade. Use posters, ribbon streamers, glittered paper stars, red, white and blue drinking stars, crepe paper and banners to decorate your own vehicles. Get your pets in on the act too.

FIREWORKS-FESTIVALS-STAR GAZING

1-Watch the Fireworks
Load up the kids and go see the fireworks display nearest you. If fireworks are banned, watch it on TV and serve banana splits or any favorite snacks of the kids.

2-Have Your Own Fireworks and Star Gaze
Buy some fireworks if they are legal in your state and have your own fireworks at home. Allow the kids to light sparklers and wave them around. Then turn off all the lights and lay on quilts in the yard and look at the stars. Point out some of the constellations to them and tell them they are the same as they were July 4, 1776.

3-Visit a Festival
Spend the day at a local festival. There the kids will enjoy a parade, games, contests, clowns, petting animals, music, face painting, food and fireworks to end the perfect day.

CAMPOUTS

1-Roughing It
Leave the Game-boys and cell phones at home and take the kids camping. Teach them how the Pilgrims lived when they first arrived in America. Show them how to build a safe fire pit and teach them how to cook over. Spend some time teaching them to identify plants that are safe and those that are not. Teach them to blaze a trail, track an animal and make a latrine.

2-Leisure Camping
Load up the van with tents, sleeping bags, food, kids and what the kids enjoy doing and camp out at the beach or on a lake. Fish, swim, read, play horseshoes or cards and board games. Roast wieners and marshmallows over the fire and end the day with ghost stories and making smores.

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