25 Ways to Celebrate the Fourth of July with Kids
The Fourth of July is about so much more than fireworks, it's a celebration of freedom and justice for all. Here are 25 ways to celebrate with your kids.
These simple Fourth of July activities offer a chance to slow down, gather together, remember God's faithfulness, and celebrate the remarkable story of liberty. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, heading to a parade, or spending a quiet day at home, here are some of our favorite ways to make the holiday meaningful for the whole family.
📚 Read Together
Nothing shapes a family culture like reading aloud.
For younger children:
- The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh
- Red, White, and Boom! by Lee Wardlaw
- How to Make a Cherry Pie and See the USA by Marjorie Priceman
- Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus
For elementary ages:
- If You Lived at the Time of the American Revolution by Kay Moore
- George Washington by Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
- Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
- Can't You Make Them Behave, King George? by Jean Fritz
For older students:
- Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
- Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
- The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall & David Manuel (for parents and teens)
Teach your children American history with a side of hope in the Playful Pioneers curriculum!
🎬 Watch a Family-Friendly Patriotic Movie
Movies aren't an every day activity here, but they can be such a fun way to bond as a family while also getting a little rest as we all cuddle on the couch. Watching movies that depict life in early America can also help reinforce your Playful Pioneers history studies and make learning come to life in whole new ways.
Every family has a different tolerance to movies so be sure to prewatch or read a review if these are unfamiliar to you.
🇺🇸 Little House on the Prairie
🇺🇸 Liberty's Kids (animated series)
🇺🇸 Yankee Doodle Dandy
Finish with popcorn, and sparklers in the backyard.
🎉 Make the Fourth of July Week Memorable
Simple traditions become treasured memories, and our family still looks back fondly on fireworks watched over mountain skies, family firework shows in the backyard, community parades, family picnics and nature outings, and swim parties with the cousins.
Try:
🇺🇸 Decorate bikes or wagons for a neighborhood parade
🇺🇸 Make simple watercolor flags
🇺🇸 Make homemade ice cream
🇺🇸 Bake a berry flag no bake cheesecake
🇺🇸 Read the Declaration of Independence together
🇺🇸 Write down freedoms you're thankful for
🇺🇸 Watch your local fireworks
🇺🇸 Pray for your country, leaders, neighbors, and churches
🇺🇸 Sing "America the Beautiful" together
🇺🇸 Look at patriotic art and talk about the cold winter at Valley Forge
🇺🇸 Create a family constitution and sign it together
🇺🇸 Play a presidents matching game
🇺🇸 Go on a nature walk and collect red, white, and blue treasures
🇺🇸 Make old time clay lamps together to see what lighting in Colonial times was like
🇺🇸 Build pretzel and peanut butter log cabins and imagine you are a founding father building your home
🇺🇸 Make a George Washington cake
🇺🇸Visit a national memorial
🇺🇸 Visit a historic town
🇺🇸 Have a picnic
🇺🇸 Set off your own fireworks
🇺🇸 End the evening around a campfire sharing favorite family memories
⭐ Recite Inspiring Quotes About Freedom
Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it, which is why we feature primary sources and inspiring stories in our history based elementary curriculum. When your children copy quotes like these over the course of their elementary years, they will be better able to resist hopeless worldview when they enter their college years.
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17
"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." ~ George Washington
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." ~ Benjamin Franklin
"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." ~ Galatians 5:1
❤️ Celebrate with The Peaceful Press
If you're looking for a simple way to celebrate together, our Fourth of July Book Flood includes beautiful picture books, hands-on activities, meaningful discussions, recipes, crafts, copywork, poetry, and gentle learning that helps children appreciate the blessings of freedom through stories they'll love.
It's designed to help families celebrate—not with more stress—but with connection.
May your Fourth of July be filled with laughter, good food, meaningful conversations, and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy.
Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸