by Pat Lamb (www.patlambchristianauthor.com) Check out “My Thinking Book” for children!
Train up a child…
Ideas to Celebrate July 4
It is so important to create good memories for children and the 4thof July is a perfect opportunity to do just that. There needs to be time in every child’s life to just simply have fun and enjoy the family. Of course, if we can teach something important at the same time, so much the better.
Children need to know what they are celebrating. They need to know that the 4thof July is also called Independence Day and that it is the anniversary of the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress, in 1776.
John Adams, one of the founders of our new nation, said, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.” Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. In 1941, Congress declared July 4 a legal public holiday.
There are three websites on the Internet that give ideas for crafts, games, decorations, recipes, and more to help celebrate Independence Day. They are:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/fourth-of-july/about.html
www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/july4/
holidays.kaboose.com/july-4/
There are several other good ones as well. When I checked these out, I found that they have simple craft ideas suitable for very young children as well as ideas for older children and even adults. The ideas and some patterns are free. There is even a flag for young children to color with the stars representing the original 13 colonies.
Our former Vice-President’s wife, Lynn Cheney, has written three books to help children appreciate the founding of our country. They are Fifty States,A Family Adventure across America;A Time for Freedom,What Happenedin America;andWhen Washington Crossed the Delaware. All three of these books are available in the Kimberling Area Library.
Some folks like to do elaborate cookouts and that is great. Here is a very simple recipe, however, for those who don’t like to go to so much effort. Our family used this many times, not necessarily on the 4th. It is a recipe that children can help with. Each person has his/her own foil bundle to open and can fix it as desired, varying the amount of potatoes or meat and seasoning it to personal preference.
Hamburger & Potatoes in Foil:
Take a square piece of foil large enough for a hamburger patty and a potato. Spray the foil with Pam. Slice a potato and put 3 or 4 slices in the center of the foil. Salt and pepper the potatoes. Lay an uncooked hamburger patty on the potatoes and put 3 or 4 more slices of potato on top of it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper again. Bring the foil up and seal with a double fold. Place on the grill and forget them while you play with the kids. After a few minutes, check to see if they are done.
Fly your American flag high and enjoy Independence Day!