Fourth of July Party Crafts for Kids

Plan this years Fourth of July get together with fun craft projects for the kids. Have them make the decorations for the barbecue in anticipation of the holiday.

Coat Hanger Wreath-You will need a coat hanger, white felt, and red, white and blue skeins of yarn, Start by forming a coat hanger into a circle and set aside. Using a 4" x 4" piece of heavy cardboard, wrap the blue yarn around it 7-8 times. Slide it off the cardboard and knot a 6" piece of yarn around the center. Using the ends of the knotted piece, tie the tassel to the coat hanger. Repeat this process until the blue section is full, fluffed, and shoved together, measuring approximately 8". Using the red and white yarn, alternate stripes around the wreath every 2". When the wreath is completely filled, cut six small stars from the white felt and glue over the blue section.

Firecracker Centerpiece-This is a great way to use up and recycle those steel vegetable cans. You will need an assortment of different sized cans. Start by drilling a hole in the bottom of the cans. This is now the top of your firecrackers. Spray paint the cans a solid red, white or blue. Using acrylic paints and stamps or just painting free hand, paint stars and stripes around the cans and allow to dry. Cut red, silver or blue tinseled pipe cleaners and insert them in the drilled holes for the fuses and the sparkle. Add several to give it an ignited effect.

Flag Puzzle-If you have access to lots of small rocks, this is a super easy project that will provide an extra activity for your young guests. Start by collecting many rocks and laying them out in a large rectangle shape. Fill in the shape completely with rocks. Next design a flag and take all the rocks that are blue and spray paint them. Repeat for all the red and the white. Pile all the rocks in a wagon for the kids to access. Now, they will have endless hours of fun arranging the flag puzzle using the rocks.

Plate Holder-Spray paint or use acrylic paints to paint and decorate wicker paper plate holders. Add a little more sparkle by wiring assorted red, white and blue beads to the edges.