Celebrate America and Summer with These Party Ideas!
Independence Day is quickly approaching, and fireworks and festivities are back on the calendar this year in most parts of Georgia!
As you plan July 4th and other celebrations this summer, don’t forget to include your littlest helpers. Children love to feel capable and as if they are contributing to the family dynamic. Having them help with chores, like straightening the house for a BBQ, and other fun activities such as decorating and preparing party food and planning crafts or games lets them feel as if they are part of the team.
We’ve got some ideas and reminders to help you make the most of this holiday and summer!
Safety First!
Water Safety
If your celebrations will be held around water, be sure to take safety precautions to prevent drowning and other accidents. See our recent article, “Having Fun and Staying Safe While Playing in Water,” for tips and guidelines around swimming areas, boating and general play.
Fireworks Safety
Fireworks are beautiful to watch in the night sky and can liven up your July 4th get-togethers. Each year though, thousands of injuries and fires are reported that were caused by home firework displays. If you do not go to a professional firework show, follow these guidelines from the National Safety Council. Most importantly, make sure that you do not allow children to play or handle fireworks and keep them a good distance away when fireworks are being lit.
Hearing Safety
When it comes to watching fireworks safely, be sure and safeguard your child’s (and your own) hearing. The boom you hear during a fireworks show is a blast wave that can cause permanent damage to the inner ear. Experts advise that infants are never exposed to fireworks as their hearing is too delicate. For older people, earplugs and earmuffs are recommended. See more information from Healthy Hearing.
Pet Safety
Don’t forget about your pets! The loud booms and flashing lights can cause increased anxiety as the noise is unpredictable and can be threatening. You can help calm them with loving strokes and cuddles, closing the curtains to help muffle sound and light, and by playing a radio or TV at normal volume. If your pet has extreme anxiety during holidays that have lots of firework usage, consider talking with your vet beforehand for medicine or other ideas to keep them calm. Also, don’t leave fireworks laying where a pet can eat them. Pets are curious, love to chew and could digest harmful poisons if they ingest some fireworks.
Cooking with Kids
One of the best things about holidays, if we are honest, is the FOOD. And while it is a day to feed your soul and your belly, it’s wonderful when there is a variety of healthy and tasty treats to nosh on! A menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and pork ribs are right on tap for a cookout, but consider adding some vegetarian options, more fresh veggies and fruit, and of course, cool and sweet treats! We’ve done the legwork for you to find recipes that beg for children to help make and are kid-approved when it comes time to eating them!
The Educators’ Spin On It has some patriotic red, white and blue themed treats that are easy to make with your kiddos. We especially love the homemade ice pops, ice cream sandwiches, fruit sparklers and sugar cookie cake.
You can find mocktails, yummy salads (watermelon, feta, and blueberry!), and all kinds of desserts at Red Tricycle.
Don’t leave out your vegan and vegetarian friends. Try some of these dishes, Mexican Street Corn, Blueberry Strawberry Jicama Salsa, American Macaroni Salad and more, from The Green Loot.
Arts, Crafts and Games
Let the kids (and grown kids) entertain themselves with some easy to set up and cheap outdoor games. Better Homes & Gardens has some great ideas that include relay races, tic tac toe and good old-fashioned tag! And of course, there’s always an American favorite: baseball!
The Spruce Crafts have the best arts and crafts ideas for every occasion. It’s always our first resource when we are looking for fun, creative kid’s arts activities. Maybe not the Patriotic Slime, but there are other projects that would be great for kids to make while at the party or make beforehand to decorate your space.
Looking for firework events or celebrations near you for Independence Day?
Check out Explore Georgia and Rove.me for some ideas. Be sure to confirm the event details on your own before making plans as things can change and websites are not updated.
