Fourth of July crafts are fun and easy to make. Get
the entire family involved! The first decoration can be
made any time and hung on the porch. The hat is great
for making before attending the fireworks!
A Patriotic Paper Windsock
You will need:
One rounded oatmeal or cornmeal box
Blue, red and white construction paper
red and blue markers
star shaped cookie cutter, stamp or stencil
glue
scissors
hole punch
string or fishing line
steamers-red and white crepe paper, or strips of paper
Step 1. Cut off the bottom of your rounded box. (parents can do
this easily by running a knife around the bottom, instead of actually
cutting a section off.) Cover the entire box with blue paper-glue on
securely (you can staple too if you wish). Any size rounded container
works well-the large oatmeal containers make a nice big tube with
room for more stars and adding "Happy 4th of July!".
Step 2. Using the cookie cutter, stencil or stamp of a star as a pattern
draw 6-12 stars (depending on how big your tube is) on the white
paper and carefully cut them out. Glue on to your blue box-spacing
them around the entire thing.
Step 3. For your streamers you will need some type of red and white paper
strips. You can use shredded paper from a paper shredder (parents
must do this part), or crepe paper that is cut in half lengthwise, or
other paper that has been cut into strips. Be creative with what you
have around the house! Cut them fairly long-12 inches or so. Staple
or tape them to the bottom of your box-spacing evenly so they hang
off the tube. Lastly, punch four holes in the top of your box-be very
careful to punch one hole on each side and space them evenly so it
will hang correctly. Cut two 12 inch pieces of string-tie each one
through two holes and tie in a knot, so you now have two "loops" on
each side. Take another 12 inch string and tie it through both loops.
This string is the one you will attach to your porch, so it waves around
in the breeze!
A Fourth of July Hat!
You will need:
white poster board
red and blue markers, crayons or paint
Optional:
Glitter paint
Stickers
Red and blue construction paper
Step 1:You will need to cut a piece of poster board for each
hat about 6-8 inches wide, with the length measuring just
enough to fit around the person's head with a little room to
spare. (Use a measuring tape, paper or ribbon to put around
their head and mark the length you will need)
Step 2: Now you will decorate your hat BEFORE stapling it
together. This is where you have many options! Each person
can paint or color stars around the surface of their hat or write
on phrases such as:
I love the red, white and blue!
Happy Fourth of July!
Celebrate Our Independence Day!
I love America!
You can also add paint, glitter, or cut shapes that
can be placed around the top of the hat. You could
even use patriotic stickers from the store, or attach
a small pinwheel to your hat!
Step 3: Once your hat is decorated and dry, secure
it together with several staples to fasten together
the two edges. Place it on your head and celebrate!
About the author
Brenda is the editor here at OldFashionedLiving and a freelance writer. She
lives in Michigan with her husband, Chuck, their three kids and Pumpkin, the cat.
