Celebrate July 4th with these ideas for the whole family

Have some fun in the sun this Independence Day while spending quality time with loved ones! Here are some fun and festive ideas to make your July 4th memorable for every family member, from kids to teens and adults: 

1. Host a barbecue

Gather in your backyard for some family time around the grill! Embrace the joy of togetherness, and give everyone a chance to contribute to the festivities, no matter how young. While the adults work on grilling food, children can assemble simple desserts like Healthy Summer Popsicles and help decorate the table. 

Don’t forget dessert: roast marshmallows as the sun goes down, and get excited for the fireworks show to come! 

Assemble red, white, and blue crafts

Speaking of decorations, here are some DIY crafts that’ll keep kids engaged! 

• Patriotic Centerpieces: Create colorful centerpieces for the table using simple materials like construction paper, foil, and glue! 
• Star Fireworks Paper Project: Bring the magic of fireworks into your home without the noise! Create these dazzling starbursts, and hang them around the house.
• Independence Day Card: Why not share a handmade card with friends and family? Kids can set each place at the table with a personalized card wishing every BBQ attendee a happy Independence Day! 

Have a picnic

Did you know July is National Picnic Month? No wonder, since the warm weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy a meal outdoors! 

Pack a picnic basket full of sandwiches, a charcuterie board, and your family’s favorite snacks. Choose a scenic spot at a local park or near a body of water. Don’t forget to include some classic summer treats like watermelon, potato salad, and grilled goodies. 

You can even make a whole day of it and stay there until nightfall, when you’ll be able to see the fireworks go off! 

Help kids practice spelling with a themed word search

During all the feasting and outdoor fun, sneak in some learning with this new Independence Day-themed word search. This printable one-pager helps middle-schoolers practice their spelling while searching for patriotic phrases. 

Attend a parade

Many cities across the US host parades to celebrate the Fourth of July. Throw on your red, white, and blue, and head on over to your closest parade! Kids will enjoy the festive floats, marching bands, and performances, embracing the spirit of community on this special day.

Create your own spark-free paper fireworks

No need to handle the hot stuff! Include little ones in the family fun by printing these spark-free paper fireworks.

They will cut out the yellow and blue squares, glue them together to craft their very own dazzling sparkler that they can shake to simulate a firework!

Teach older kids about the historical significance of Independence Day

Educate children about the history of Independence Day using these worksheets designed for fourth and fifth grade: 

• Illustrate the Bill of Rights: Introduce students to the first ten amendments to the Constitution by drawing them! This creative activity is ideal for visual learners, encouraging them to think critically about the foundations of American democracy. 
• Opinion: The First and Fourth Amendments: This resource guides learners through thinking critically about two amendments to the Constitution. On the Fourth of July, you can use this worksheet to foster a discussion about American rights and freedoms.
• Examine the Song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”: Explore the historical and cultural significance of the song “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” This activity provides a deeper understanding of the song’s lyrics and its role in American history. 

Looking for more Fourth of July worksheets, activities, and lessons? Click through all 150+ Independence Day resources in our Learning Library. 

Gift an Education.com Premium subscription! 

Give the gift of learning with Education.com! Consider sending a gift card to your child’s teacher to say thank you and simplify their lesson planning. Alternatively, give a membership to a family member or friend, empowering them to supercharge their child’s learning over summer break and during the school year.

Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just because, an Education.com Premium subscription allows teachers and parents to cultivate students’ love for learning, from PreK through 8th grade!

How to purchase a gift card: 

1. Visit the Education.com Gifting Page
2. Choose the subscription that best suits your needs. We offer one, three, six, and twelve-month plans. Our annual plan provides the best savings and is the most popular choice! 
3. Enter your recipient’s name and email address, as well as the desired delivery date.
4. Optional: Personalize your gift with a thoughtful message.
5. Your recipient will receive an email with their gift code. They can redeem the code to unlock instant access to Premium!

Benefits of Premium

An Education.com Premium subscription is a meaningful gift that provides lasting educational benefits:

1. Unlimited access to all 37,000+ resources

While Basic members can only download three free resources per month, Premium members get unlimited access to the entire Education.com Learning Library. That’s 37,000+ worksheets, games, activities, and lesson plans—and we add more every month! 

2. Games, worksheets, and activities for families

Parents can easily filter the Learning Library by grade level, subject, and content type. This allows them to discover games, worksheets, leveled books, and activities that sync with the school curriculum. 

A Premium membership goes a long way: parents can add all the children in their family to their plan.

3. Print-and-go lesson plans for teachers

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What’s more, they can enjoy exclusive features likeGuided Lessons, Sub Plans, and Collections. Teachers can add up to 35 students to the Guided Lessons learning program where students can independently work through tailored lessons. 

What are you waiting for? Share the gift of learning by sending a Premium gift card, and make someone’s year: 

Build, tape, create: The Summer STEM Challenge for kids!

The Education.com Summer STEM Challenge starts next Friday, June 21! 

This annual challenge invites young learners to create fun, educational projects focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math. Open to grades PreK through 8th, the STEM Challenge is a great way for learners to apply science and math concepts to real-life situations. This year, three winners will be randomly selected to win a one-year Premium membership and be highlighted on our social media and in an email!

How to join: 

1. On June 21, click the link to the Summer STEM Challenge Page
2. Choose a hands-on STEM project to work on (see the list below)
3. Submit your entry form and a photo of your completed project to stemchallenge@education.com by July 21 
4. Celebrate your hard work: Download a Certificate of Participation

Are you ready to take on the challenge? Learn what to expect, and explore the six different projects your child can create: 

1. Build a bridge

Construct a bridge out of marshmallows and toothpicks! Embrace your inner architect by figuring out the optimal design and configuration to make the strongest bridge possible. 

2. Stack a cup tower

Construct the world’s tallest paper cup tower, and send in a photo of your soaring creation! 

3. Engineer a water slide

Make a miniature water slide using common household items! Then, have a doll or toy embrace summer fun by sending it down the slide.

4. Shield an egg

Use cotton balls, rubber bands, straws, and more to assemble a device to protect an egg. Drop it from a 10-foot height for the ultimate test! 

5. Design a balloon car

Engineer a balloon-powered car! Along the way, discover a real-life application of Newton’s Second Law.

6. Insulate a cup

How can you use conductors and insulators to keep a drink colder for longer? Put your thinking cap on as you try out this challenge!

Are your kids ready to build something cool? Click below to join the STEM Challenge starting June 21, and remember to submit your entry by July 21:

If you still need a little inspiration, view highlights from previous years below: 

Crafty Father’s Day activities for kids

This year, make Father’s Day extra special by getting the kids involved in crafting some handmade gifts for dad!

These fun and creative art projects are tailored to all types of fathers and father figures, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether your dad loves cooking, watching TV, or playing board games, we’ve got you covered with fantastic arts-and-crafts ideas from Education.com: 

For the dad who loves to cook

Design an apron for dad! By following the instructions for this Father’s Day Apron Craft, you can create a one-of-a-kind coverall that’s as unique as his culinary skills. 

Children will dip their hands into colorful fabric paint and press them into the apron, resulting in a personalized, wearable gift that dad will treasure for years to come. Whenever he’s in the kitchen or by the grill, this sweet memento will remind him of their love.

For the dad who likes solving puzzles

Test dad’s logic skills with a fun brain teaser! This Father’s Day Rebus Puzzle Activity will have kids create a collage of images to represent a sentence. Then, they’ll ask dad to decode the mystery phrase. 

This isn’t your typical Father’s Day card—it contains a secret message! Is dad up for the challenge? 

For the dad who plays lots of board games

Who needs Monopoly? Create your very own Father’s Day Trek board game at home by printing the game board and dice! 

Kids will enjoy having quality time with their fathers while playing this fun game interspersed with tricky hazards like rockslides and bears. First player to the top of the mountain wins! 

For the dad who appreciates a heartfelt card (or ten!)

From Informative Templates that guide them through the letter-writing process to a 3D Pop-Up Card featuring dad’s favorite outfit, we’ve got 10 unique cards to choose from! 

Each printable worksheet provides step-by-step instructions and inspiration for kids. By choosing a design and adding their own creative touches, children can create tailor-made keepsakes based on what their father likes best.

For the dad who’s always watching the news

On the eve of Father’s Day, instead of the 5 o’clock news, dad can watch an investigative newscast called “Why We Think You’re Such a Great Dad.” 

If your child’s a budding actor or news anchor, they’ll love getting in front of a camera to record a Special Broadcast, sharing their favorite memories, funny stories, and reasons why their father is the best. 

For the dad who loves a good biography (about himself!)

Illustrate dad’s life story using these All About My Dad and Celebrate Everyday Heroes sheets! These printables capture special memories of dad, as well as his defining characteristics. 

Your child will think deeply to answer questions like “What is something you admire about your father?” and “What is something important you learned from your father?” Then, they’ll use the included blank space to draw a portrait of him.

As a fun bonus activity, have everyone in the family complete a biography and share their responses with each other!

For the world’s best dad! 

Your child can celebrate their hero with this printable Father’s Day Certificate.

Color it in and fill it with personal drawings and messages like “Best Pancake Maker” or “World’s Greatest Storyteller.” 

This resource provides a simple yet meaningful way for children to show their appreciation for everything their father does. He will proudly display it on the fridge!

Looking for more crafts, activities, worksheets, and games? Scroll through the Education.com Learning Library of 37,000+ resources, and click the tabs on the left-hand side to select your child’s grade level and subject.