3 Easy Independence Day Crafts for July 4th

The following July 4^th crafts have been around as long as I can remember. I did them when I was a child, but every now and then, it is up to each of us to pass something traditional to the next generation. These crafts, are quick, easy, and inexpensive July 4th crafts. Enjoy making them with your children. Use them for summer camp, VBS, or children's Church crafts. The most important thing is to enjoy the time with the children making them and discussing the meaning of Independence Day.

Patriotic Candy Dish (See picture #1)

What you need:

1 small clay pot.

1 unattached saucer for the clay pot.

1 round, wooden knob, approximately 1" in diameter.

A role of thin masking tape.

Red, white and blue acrylic paint.

1 small piece of sandpaper, any grain will do.

Hot glue gun with glue.

Star stencil - purchase a flexible one for less than a dollar, or cut your own out of cardboard

Clear, spray-on varnish.

All of the supplies are available at your local hobby shop, or discount department store.

What to do:

Paint the pot white to the bottom of the rim. Paint the rim blue. Once the paint is dry add a second coat.

Paint the saucer blue. Add a second coat.

Sand a flat spot on one side of the wooden knob. Paint the knob white.

Once the saucer and knob is dry, center the wooden knob and glue it to the bottom of the blue saucer.

When the white paint is completely dry, create stripes on the clay pot by applying strips of masking tape vertically, from the bottom of the pot, to the edge of the rim.

Paint red stripes on the pot, to the bottom of the rim. When you are certain all of the paint is dry, remove the masking tape.

Use the star stencil to trace stars, evenly spaced, around the blue rim of the pot.

Paint the stars white.

Once everything is completely dry, spray the pot and lid with several coats of clear varnish.

Use the independence jar for candy or party favors for your 4^th of July party guests.

American Flag Pin (See picture #2)

What you need:

Large coiless safety pin, approximately 2 ¼"

Red, white, and blue small round beads

2" safety pins

Snip-nose pliers

What to do: