ages 2-5 
ages 6-8 
ages 9-12
Wherever you see this key, the activities have been carefully selected for the age groups listed.
Americans from coast to coast are celebrating the Fourth of July. Here's how to teach your kids what the excitement is all about.
"Whose birthday is it?" asks 4-year-old Brianna.
"Why is it called Independence Day?" wonders 6-year-old Evan.
"Was Yankee Doodle really a person?" asks 8-year-old Jack.
"Yeah, and his last name was Dandy," snickers big sister Kate.
As children grow, they want to know more about holidays and why we celebrate them the way we do. This year, make Independence Day a four-star day for your kids with activities that pique their interest.
ages 2 to 5
Kids of all ages love a parade. But for the little ones, it's all about the heroes. Sitting on the curb peering through a sea of kneecaps, a 5-year-old is sure that the firefighter on the truck just waved right at her.
When you take your young child to a Fourth of July parade, you're not just giving her a wonderful day—you're also helping her see that she's part of a community. "Children can celebrate being part of a town by understanding the roles that people play in keeping them safe," says James Sheehan, Ph.D., assistant professor of Social Studies Education at Miami University in Ohio.
Keep the lesson going after the big day by talking with your children about the heroes who live in your community, such as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and teachers. Let your kids know that these people are there to help them be safe and healthy as they grow up.
ages 6 to 8
"I'm wearing a red, white and blue shirt to the fireworks tonight," 6-year-old Macey tells her doll, Jesse. "And so are you."
As kids get older, they notice more similarities and differences between people. They enjoy what makes them special, but they also seek security in the familiar. And it's a safe bet that Macey and Jesse won't be the only girl and doll in the crowd wearing red, white, and blue.
While our country's flag is inspiring their outfits, it's a great time to talk with kids about the 50 stars representing the United States. At this age, most kids have had a chance to spin a globe at school and take a vacation or two, so the concept of a state is within their reach. Make plans to visit your state's historical museum to enjoy its kid-friendly crafts and events. At the Colorado State Historical Museum, for example, families can attend History Express Saturdays with "please touch" artifacts and historical crafts.
Does your state have its own commemorative quarter yet? Since kids love trading and collecting, help your family start a state quarter collection. And if your state doesn't have a quarter yet, ask your kids what picture they think should be on it and have them draw it.
ages 9 to 12
Twelve-year-old Tori still has the American history timeline she made in school, and today she's sharing it with her little sister. "See this picture of the ladies signing a piece of paper?" she asks. "They were starting a club and saying they weren't going to buy any more tea from the British. That's because the British were totally bossing them around."
As kids get older, they understand not only that they live in the United States of America, but also the larger concept of freedom that others fought to win.
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Make the holiday memorable for your older kids by hosting a birthday party for America. Get them involved with the guest list, decorations and food (see our Independence Cake recipe). |
As you're cutting the cake, talk about the people who celebrated America's first birthdays and shaped its history- from generals to newspaper editors to the folks who dumped tea in Boston Harbor. Discuss the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the people who shaped this country. "Celebrating America means recognizing the contributions of all," says professor Sheehan.
The Fourth of July is also an opportunity to learn about the national days of other countries, such as Cinco de Mayo (May 5) in Mexico and Canada Day (July 1). Take your kids to the library or go online together to learn more about these and other national holidays.
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