4th of July

By Heather Bright

Red, White and… Blues? Not This Year!

Fireworks on the 4th of July is the quintessential summer activity, the climax of summer events and the highlight of summer vacation. Kids and adults of all ages look forward to the lights and sounds that permeate the sky every July 4th.

When my third child was born, fireworks lost their wonder. My youngest daughter has always been afraid of what everyone else considers a fantastic display. So, for the past 10 years, we’ve been creative in coming up with fun things to do instead of fireworks. Whether you have a little one who doesn’t like the loud noises or you’re looking for activities to do before the main event, start with these suggestions, and let them spark other ideas!

• Make red, white and blue desserts. Pinterest is full of simple recipes for treats that fit the theme. This Flag Fruit Pizza and these Patriotic Strawberries are not only easy, but super cute and delicious.
• Buy all the sparklers. With adult supervision, sparklers are a cheap and easy thrill that every kid loves. Stock up on sparklers and even a child who doesn’t like fireworks gets to enjoy the wonder of the sparkle in the night sky.
• Create a backyard water obstacle course. Buckets, hula hoops, and a garden hose are just a start to what can be a super-fun homemade competition. Open the timer on your phone and see who gets the fastest time… if it’s hot enough, kids may even take their time instead of sprinting to the finish line.
• Set up an ice cream buffet. Barbeques with family and friends are a natural way to spend the 4th. However, consider a low maintenance approach to hosting this year: Buy a few gallons of ice cream and invite guests to supply toppings for an ice cream buffet.
• Have a hot dog eating contest… or something else that you would typically never do, but your kids will always remember. Memories like this truly last a lifetime.

Sometimes we have to embrace whatever life brings; for me, that means helping my little girl realize that it’s okay to skip the fireworks each year. Our friends and family enjoy the display and tell us all about it when it’s over. It is a day that we all look forward to! The most important part is making a memory. Here’s to another celebration of freedom and family this July 4th.