by Belinda Mooney and Tali Toland

Elect the Educational Approach

Everyone knows the basics of why we celebrate the 4th of July, but do your kids really know all the details? Use this Independence Day to teach your kids about American history and the importance of our country’s freedom.

If you aren’t too clear on all the facts of America’s past, The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong will save the day. This colorful book is a compilation of stories that shaped the nation. The stories in this book are sure to bring about discussions among the whole family and will give kids a great background in history. (Random House) $34.95.

For a more hands-on, creative approach to learning about our country’s history, pick up a copy of Celebrate the USA by Lynn Kuntz. This book tells mini-history lessons and then gives craft ideas that complement each lesson. You can create a family tree, make kitchen fireworks, fly a windsock and more! (Gibbs Smith) $7.95.

Take a Field Trip

Atlanta is home to the National Museum of Patriotism, and what better time to visit this local gem than July 4th. This museum features exhibits that express what patriotism has meant to those who came before us and those who serve us now in the various branches of the armed forces.

Exhibits include a five-minute film that sets the stage for exploring the meaning of patriotism; the Symbols of America, including replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, Mount Rushmore and the Lincoln Memorial; United We Stand – a traveling exhibit featuring morale-boosting materials from WWII; contributions from the U.S. military; a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and more.

The museum is located at 1405 Spring Street. Adults, $12; students, $10; children under 6, free. For more information, call 404-875-0691.

The Atlanta History Center and Imagine It! Children’s Museum of Atlanta are also celebrating America and its history this month. Check out our Family Fun Guide for more information on these great events.
 

Crafts

Spend some time making these Independence Day crafts, then let your kids decorate, and even put on a parade for family and friends.

Painted Fireworks

You can use different painting techniques with your child to get an impressive fireworks display on paper instead of relying on the loud, fiery variety in the sky. Get some heavy card stock or construction paper and liquid tempera paints. You’ll also need sponges (shaped like stars), straws, plastic pot scrubbers, stamps and cookie cutters. Use the sponges, stamps, scrubbers and cookie cutters to press designs onto your paper. Drop dabs of paint and blow on them with a straw for a wonderful fireworks design. (Safety Hint: To prevent kids from accidentally sucking up the paint, put a small slit in the straw near the top.) Use black paper to make white fireworks. Add glitter to make your fireworks sparkle.

Revolutionary War Drum

Use an empty oatmeal container or large coffee can as the base for this project. Cover it with construction paper, then glue the paper in place. Decorate the drum with stars and stripes, flag stickers and other patriotic designs. Use two wooden dowels or pencils for drumsticks. You can punch holes in the sides of the oatmeal container and run a string through so your child can carry the drum around his neck.

Patriotic Wands or Torches

Toilet paper or paper towel tubes, rolled up newspapers or dowel rods will all create a great wand or torch. Paint the tubes patriotic colors. Then cut out paper strips or use streamers and tape them to the end of the rolls. Use red paper to look like fire. Let the children march around waving them. Add patriotic music to create a real parade feel.

Other Fun Ideas

  Vanilla ice cream with red and blue sprinkles
  Sugar cookies with white icing and red and blue sprinkles
  Tint milk with blue food coloring for the boys, red for the girls.
  Mix blueberries, strawberries and raspberries in yogurt. Kids can do this one by themselves.
  Make a cake of your choice and use whipped cream for icing. Make a flag out of berries to decorate the top.
  Create edible torches out of celery sticks filled with colored cream cheese and red licorice strips (the thin kind) cut into pieces about three inches long.

www.practicalkitchen.com
 

Treats

Food is always a great way to celebrate any holiday. These treats are easy, sweet and sure to keep you cool this 4th of July!

Skyrocket Ice Pops

12 (8 oz.) plastic cups
12 craft sticks (look like Popsicle sticks)
Red Layer:
4 cups cranberry juice
Red food coloring (if desired)
White Layer:
2 cups frozen whipped topping
2 cups vanilla yogurt
Blue Layer:
4 cups grape juice
Water
Blue food coloring

Mix the grape juice and water until it’s the shade of blue you want. Try adding blue food coloring. Pour into the plastic cups, filling 1/3 full. Place in the freezer until they start to freeze. Once they do, stick a craft stick in the center of each cup.

Freeze until solid. Mix the yogurt and whipped topping together. Place a layer on top of the frozen blue layer and freeze for one hour. Repeat the process given for the blue layer, but do it with the cranberry juice and red food coloring. Add a red layer to each cup and freeze until frozen.

Run cold water on the outside of the cups to release the ice pops. Enjoy!

Old-fashioned Lemonade

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Peel of 1 lemon, cut into strips
Juice of 6 lemons
Fresh mint sprigs and lemon slices, for garnish

In a small saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, add lemon peel and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, bring to room temperature and strain out peel – this creates simple syrup. To a 2-quart pitcher, add lemon juice, 1/2 cup of the syrup and 5 cups water – stir. Taste, adjusting the ratio of water and syrup to your liking. Serve over ice garnished with a mint sprig.

www.foodnetwork.com