Fourth of July Kid Activities On A Budget
Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009
by Stephany Springer
The economy has hit everyone hard this year, but cutting back on Fourth of July activities for kids does not have to happen. Here are few activities to keep your kids busy this holiday weekend without breaking the bank.
Forget the fireworks
Buying fireworks is a major waste of money. You spend endless amounts just to literally light it on fire. Don't buy fireworks this year. Instead, pack a picnic and check out one of the local, organized shows. With a 20-mile radius, there are five separate firework shows that are offered for free by different groups. Check out your local chamber or newspaper to find the one nearest you. If it costs to get in, just pull close and put out the lawn chairs to watch from a distance. Besides with a burn ban for most of the south, it really is your cheapest choice. No one wants to pay for a ticket on top of the cost of fireworks.
Kids love doing crafts and art. Let them make their own fireworks with paint. Pull out a white sheet or give the kids blue or white long construction paper. Then pull out the paint. You can even add glitter to the paint and let them splatter it on the canvas for a fun firework effect!
Visit the local farmer's market
If your city or town has a local farmer's market, it is a good time to support it. After all, July 4th is about supporting the United States. Farmers are individuals that make up the backbone of our country. Show your support for your country by buying local. Take a trip to the market with the kids. They will love learning about all the different vegetables and fruit. Make it fun and offer an allowance. Tell the kids they can buy what they want, but it has to be either red, white or blue. You will love snacking on the fun stuff they come home with. They could pick anything from red grapes and strawberries to white corn to blueberries. Be prepared to make some fun recipes with them for the holidays at a fraction of the cost because you bought direct.
Turn on the hose
Fourth of July is traditionally a hottest day of the year, or at least it seems that way as I get older. Pull out the hose and let the kids play in the water. There is something about water and the sun that really brings the best out of kids and tires them out afterwards. The great news is that your yard gets watered at the same time. If your kids really like chores, you might talk them into washing the cars at the same time.
Games
No fourth is complete without games. No sense in buying expensive games from the store. Use what you already have. Decorate two liter bottles with red, white and blue paint or paper. Then let the kids play bowling and try to knock them down with a ball. You can also make homemade bean bags out of socks and beans. Other fun games that do not cost are hopscotch, races, watermelon seed spitting contests and hide and go seek.
Cooking fun
Invite the kids into the kitchen for some cheap fun. Allow the kids to make smoothies with their fruit from the farmers market. Or allow them to make red and blue jello shapes. You can also let them make the traditional flag cake. They will love getting to create in the kitchen.
These are just a few ideas. Be sure to check out your local dollar store for more. They also carry the glow in the dark necklaces. Buying those from the dollar store will save you lots as peddlers will sure to be at the firework shows!
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