How to Make Fourth of July Crafts for Kids

The Fourth of July is a fun time for children and adults alike, complete with ice cream, cookouts, flags and fireworks. Help your kids get into the patriotic spirit by teaching them how to do these two fun Fourth of July crafts.

Things You'll Need

• Blue 10-piece packets of gum
• Red 10-piece packets of gum
• Star garland
• Ribbon
• Craft glue
• Scissors
• Round oatmeal container
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Markers (optional)
• Patriotic stickers (optional)
• Yarn

Instructions

Make Dynamite

1. Cut a six-inch piece of ribbon for pieces of dynamite. You will need one piece for each piece of dynamite you wish to make.

2. Cut one six-inch piece of garland for each piece of dynamite.

3. Place a generous amount of glue along the wide end of one pack of gum. Immediately place the wide end of another pack of gum, of the same color, to the glued end of the first one.

4. Tie the ribbon around the middle of the two packs.

5. Place one end of the garland between the two packs of gum at the top. Push it down about half an inch. Curl the garland around your finger to finish this cute Fourth of July craft.

Patriotic Windsock

1. Cut the top and bottom ends out of the oatmeal container. Cover the container with glue, and glue red, white or blue construction paper around the oatmeal container.

2. Smooth the construction paper with your hands so there are no bumps from the glue.

3. Decorate the construction paper with markers, patriotic stickers or construction paper stars and other patriotic designs.

4. Cut long strips out of the construction paper. Put glue on one end. Place the glued end one inch inside one end of the oatmeal container, so the strip is hanging down. Repeat this around the entire end, leaving a one inch space between strips.

5. Punch a hole in the other end of the oatmeal tube. Repeat, until you have four holes equal distance apart.

6. Cut two pieces of yarn one foot long. Cut an additional piece two feet long. Insert one of the foot long pieces into a hole and tie it. Tie the other end to the opposite hole in the container. Repeat with the other foot long piece and the other two holes.

7. Tie the longer two foot piece of yarn to the two shorter pieces. You now have a finished windsock.