Easy 4th of July Crafts Preschoolers Can Make in 15 Minutes (Classroom-Tested)

Looking for fourth of july craft ideas for kids? Celebrate Independence Day with the little ones in your life with patriotic crafts kids will love. Below are four patriotic-themed projects you can do with children at your Early Childhood Education center or at home with your own kiddos. These ideas are cute, easy, and fun — and you’ll find a bonus red, white, and blue snack at the end of the article. Happy 4^th of July!

Before you dive in, take a moment to share the meaning of the holiday with your kids. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and learning a little of the history makes the crafts that much more meaningful.

1. Paper Plate American Flag

Here’s what to do:

1. First, use scissors to cut a white paper plate in half.
2. Next, save or discard one half of the paper plate and paint the other half blue. Wait until the paint dries completely before moving on.
3. Then decorate the blue paper plate with white star stickers. Alternatively, trace and cut out stars from a piece of white paper and glue them onto the plate.
4. Use scissors to cut strips of red and white tissue paper or crepe paper.
5. Glue the strips of red and white paper to the back of the blue paper plate so they hang down like streamers.
6. Punch a hole in the top center of the blue paper plate.
7. Finally, thread a piece of yarn or string through the hole and hang up the American flag decoration in a window or anywhere else you’d like.

2. Coffee Filter Watercolor Fireworks: A Classic Fourth of July Craft Idea for Kids

Here’s what to do:

1. First, lay out coffee filters on a washable surface for kids to decorate with patriotic colors — think lots of red and blue. Try to color in as much of each coffee filter as possible so the fireworks look vibrant.
2. Next, place colored coffee filters in a tray, dish, or other container. Use a spray bottle filled with water to saturate them thoroughly. Then leave the coffee filters to dry completely.
3. Once the coffee filter fireworks are totally dry, you may want to laminate them or use clear contact paper to create a stiff outer layer. As a result, it will be easier to decorate and hang them in a window without the fragile paper going floppy. You can also skip this step.
4. Then kids can use glitter glue or any other craft supplies you have on hand to add some sparkle and flair to their fireworks.
5. Finally, dab some hot glue onto a jumbo craft stick and adhere the craft stick to the back of the coffee filter to create a little handle. (We recommend an adult handle the hot glue at all times.)

Whether little ones wave them around or hang them in a window to catch the sunlight, these coffee filter fireworks are sure to dazzle on Independence Day.

3. Independence Day Wreath

Here’s what to do:

1. First, cut out the center of a white paper plate.
2. Next, use a jumbo star-shaped hole punch to cut star shapes from red and blue construction paper.
3. Glue the red and blue stars around the wreath in alternating colors.
4. Then use a regular hole punch to add a hole to the top of the wreath.
5. Finally, thread some ribbon through for hanging and tie it in a decorative bow.

Now little ones can hang up their patriotic wreaths to welcome friends and family over for the holiday barbecue. For a quick history lesson to pair with the wreath, the Smithsonian’s Star-Spangled Banner exhibit is a wonderful read-aloud companion.

4. Patriotic Painted Rocks: A No-Prep Fourth of July Craft Idea for Kids

Here is an easy and fun art project that will be popular with kids of all ages. All you need is a rock, outdoor acrylic paint, and a paint brush.

First, help children pick out a rock or two around the neighborhood, in a local park, or on a nature walk. Look for stones with a smooth, paintable surface. Then wash them up and paint them with stars and stripes, an American eagle, a Liberty Bell, or other patriotic symbols.

Use the rocks as patriotic paperweights on the patio table, or decorate the walkway or porch with their creations.

Bonus: Red, White, and Blue Fruit Kabobs

Place rows of strawberries or raspberries, blueberries, and mini marshmallows on wooden kabob skewers, alternating the ingredients to make a red, white, and blue pattern. Have your kids prepare them and pass them around at this year’s 4^th of July cookout. All the kids will love them — and so will the adults.

Make These Fourth of July Craft Ideas for Kids Your New Tradition

We hope these fourth of july craft ideas for kids add a little extra delight to your Independence Day celebrations this year. Meanwhile, remember to share the meaning of the holiday with your little ones — sites like PBS Parents have age-appropriate ways to talk about Independence Day with even the youngest learners.

Happy 4^th from all of us at Honest Buck Accounting.