by Sandy Winn

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: July 02, 2008

Celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th with your children by being with the French in spirit. If Independence Day was a bit hard on your wallet due to traveling or having a fun blow-out party, don't worry, you can still do plenty of fun and inexpensive activities with the kiddies. Leftover 4th of July decor, utensils, cups, and plates will work great should you want a party because the same color schemes are used in France on Bastille Day, minus the stars of course. The activity ideas below will be fun for children and easy on your wallet whether you are having a party or not...

* In the kitchen

Start your day with a simple French breakfast and let the kids' help you make it. Grab yourself some French roasted coffee while they make (or you guide) some homemade hot chocolate, directions are typically on the back or side of most powdered cocoa containers - don't forget to have them add a splash of vanilla. Buy croissant dough from the dairy section and let the kids separate it onto a baking pan and after they've cooked and cooled, top them off with a bit of butter and some jam.

Make and decorate an edible flag with a traditional French dessert, pound cake. Set yourself aside some bowls with vanilla frosting and let the kids add in blue and red food coloring as well as frost the cake.

A crude Bastille Prison can be made with blue, red, and clear jell-o. Make according to package instructions and then once cooled cut into squares and use the red jell-o for the base, clear for the center, and blue for the top. The Bastille was gray and symbolized an absolute monarchy but this colorful version will represent freedom.

Let the kids' make fruit smoothies for a refreshing drink. You'll need frozen blueberries, raspberries or strawberries, bananas, and enough soy or regular milk to make three different batches. Just add milk and fruit then blend. Add more fruit or liquid according to the desired consistency.

* Around the house

Learn a little bit about the about the French Revolution and how it was marked by the storming of Bastille and discuss the meanings of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Use this as an opportunity to compare and contrast the American and French Revolutions.

During or after your discussion make a French Flag. The flag is blue and white and red, in that order and is divided into thirds vertically. Make a small one to use as a centerpiece on your table, stick on top of your cake, or to put on your mailbox for the day using construction paper or card stock and

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