America celebrates their Independence Day is on July 4th. Help your children make some cool firework pictures, and some red-white & blue shakers to use in their celebrations. Whether they are marching along in a parade, or watching from the sidelines these shakers can help them show some patriotic pride.

Materials needed:

• Glue – white, liquid glue (Elmer's Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 1 Bottle (E304))
• Blue construction paper
• Glitter Assortment 12 - 3/4 0z. Bottles
• Dowel rods (pencil thickness) or use patriotic or BAZIC Metallic Glitter Wood Pencil with Eraser, Assorted, 6 Per Pack
• Red, white, and blue curling ribbon Curling ribbon assortment 60FT rolls (1 Dozen) - Bulk
• Washi tape in patriotic colors or designs
• Safety scissors
• Low-heat hot glue gun

What to do:

Talk to your children about Independence Day. The Fourth of July is also called Independence Day. Share with them how fireworks are used to celebrate our country’s independence from England.

Firework pictures –

1. Use glue to make firework shapes on the blue construction paper
2. Shake glitter on the glue to make sparkly fireworks

Firework Shakers –

1. If using dowels, have them wind a piece of patriotic washi tape around the length of the dowel. If using glitter/sparkly pencils instead of dowel you can skip the washi tape step.
2. Help the children tie the ribbons around the end of the dowel rod
3. With an adult using the low-temperature hot glue gun put some glue on the top of the stick or pencil and slide the ribbon knot over the top to secure the ribbons - this method will dry quickly and you can get on to the next step… OR… using white glue put some on the top of the dowel or pencil and then slide the ribbon knot over the top to secure the ribbons – LET DRY before proceeding.
4. Once again, the adult should do this next step – use the edge of the safety scissors to curl the ends of the ribbon

An alternative to separate glitter and glue is to have your children use glitter pens.
Patriotic Washi tape to decorate the dowel.