Fourth of July Crafts for Kids

4TH OF JULY SIGNS AND ROCKETS

4TH OF JULY SIGNS ~

Kids love making signs that celebrate special holidays and events.  Not only do they love to decorate for special times, they love being a part of making things look festive while being creative.  I often find fun decorations to use in different ways from dollar stores.  I take things apart or cut them up and turn them into craft supplies.  These stores always have lots of stuff around each holiday so it's always worth it to take a look.
I am a big fan of cardboard as a base for many projects as you can buy it by the sheet or use old boxes.  It's pretty strong so can hold a lot of paint and decorations and because of the way it is designed, you can stick things in the top, like little flags.
For the sign base I cut come cardboard pieces about 16" X 9".  I painted some pieces red and some blue and let kids choose.  I also punched some holes here and there around the edge for a hanging wire and for adding stars and other swirly items. Rockets and firework circles are made out of poster board and I gave kids some glitter and glue to create the firework sparkle.  I used some gold shreaded paper (used for packaging) for a firework burst by tying a small bunch together with some wire.  Kids  just stick the firework in one of the punched holes.  You can find lots of packaging stuff at dollar stores.  I also cut some stars out of poster board and attached a wire or some pipe cleaners so they could be added to one of the holes.
Use your imagination to get a project ready for a child and if kids can help, take them along with you and help them figure out some fun things to do with the stuff you find.

ROCKETS ~

Rockets or big fireworks are easy to make and kids love decorating them.  Rockets are created out of cardboard tubes and paper or poster board cones and can be any size you like, from small to gigantic.  For the cone you can create one out of poster board, use birthday hats, or buy them from a craft store.  You can buy heavy paper cones from Oriental Trading Company which are typically used for holding rice and flowers at weddings and showers.
Glue cone piece and tube together and cover with a layer of paper mache to make rocket strong and smooth or just skip the paper mache and paint it white (Gesso works best).  I use liquid starch for paper mache because it is easy and not so sticky like the glue recipes, and it creates a nice crisp painting surface. Before kids start painting, create a hole in the top with a large needle (or anything that will work) for a hanging wire.
Put out some red, white, and blue acrylic paints (poster paints will work as well) and let kids do their thing.  When paint is dry, cut out stars and glitter can be added.  The glittery sticky back foam from craft stores works great.  Add some crepe paper streamers at rocket base with a little glue.  Hang them outside or anywhere you choose.

CRAFTS FOR LITTLE ONES ~ UNDER 3

When I work with kids sometimes siblings like to do art too but may not be quite ready for some of the tasks the older kids can do.  I found some cardboard pre-cut stars at the dollar store, and some 12" sticks.  I taped a stick to each star and gave kids a little glitter, some glue mixed with water and a small size paint brush.  I had them paint dots and other designs with the glue on the star and then sprinkle the glitter.  This is a simple idea but little kids love things on sticks and glitter, of course.  You could also add some crepe paper streamers to the stars.

BIG ROCKETS

Another easy craft for little ones (big ones too) is a large size rocket (firework) to decorate and hang up outside or on the front door.  I used poster board and cut out a white center piece about 10"x22" and the red or blue top to fit, overlapping sides.  Any size you want to make rockets is fine, I just went big because kids like big stuff.  I added some crepe paper tails and a wire loop for hanging.
Kids can paint their rockets and add some glitter or they can use markers.  You can cut out some paper stars or sticky back glitter foam stars and shapes and let kids glue and stick them all over the rocket.  Lots of possibilities. Make some memories, have fun and always get creative with kids at holidays and celebrations,

SUMMER BANNERS

Summer Banners are easy and fun for kids to paint.  You can get the basic banner ready and kids can paint any summer design they choose or you can make a simple outline with a black marker and kids can paint the design.  Kids typically like a place to start and appreciate a design ready for them to paint.  You can create a variety of choices with themes like, fruit, flowers, sharks, crabs, beach huts, ocean and fish designs, and mountain scene with trees, bears, lake, tent and trails  You can write the word "summer" in simple text if that works. I have included some basic line drawings you can use for ideas.  If you are not comfortable drawing right on banner, you can make some basic patterns or templates to trace.  The shapes I used for these banners are all pretty simple.  Banner is cotton canvas, cut 11X14, with a basic 1/2" hem ,

12 "wooden dowel, and jute, ribbon, or string for hanging tie. 

Basic shape ideas ~

Acrylic paints work best but even then, the black marker lines will show through so it's okay to go over them.  The important thing is to remember that t is not important to make a perfect drawing as once it is all together and painted, it just works and kids will be happy.  Banner can be hung in kid's room or even better, on the front door.  A Fourth of July theme works well too. Just write "Happy 4th" and draw some firework bursts, a few rockets and some stars.

Materials ~
Canvas yardage cut in pieces 11"x14", from art store or fabric store.  You will need to sew a simple hem along top edge.  Fold top edge over about 1/2" and stitch, close to edge, leaving enough space to fit your dowel.
Gesso , assorted acrylic paints, brushes, black marker, 12" dowel (typically sold in packs at craft stores).  Twelve inches is a very common size so good to stick with that.


How To ~

Mark (11"x14") and cut banners and sew the top hem by folding edge over about 1/2".  No need to hem side and bottom edges, just trim loose threads.  Paint banners with a coat of Gesso so paint will flow easily. Gesso makes a good seal and base on canvas. 

After Gesso is dry, draw the designs.  You can make templates to trace or just draw, freehand, or have kids do their own designs.  If kids are doing their own designs, it's a good idea to have them do some sketches for ideas first.  Once the marker lines are on the canvas, they are there to stay!

Put some bright summer colors (acrylics) on paper plates and paint!  When dry, insert dowel, tie string and hang up to enjoy and announce summer.

 


 

FISH TRAY SUMMER CRAFT ~ PAPER MACHE

Paper mache fish trays are easy to create and make a fun summer craft for kids.  After fish is painted and a clear acrylic top coat is added (making tray shiny and strong), tray can be used for snacks, lunch, and treats.  They also add color and style to summer tables.  Kids can paint their fish any way they choose and, time permitting, can do the paper mache part as well. If time and space are an issue, trays can be made ahead and all that is needed is paint.

 

 

MATERIALS ~

Newspaper or scrap paper for creating fish shape pattern.  I use newspaper for patterns all the time as the lines make it so easy and the weight is just right for a pattern.  You will also need torn newspaper strips for paper mache.
Cardboard for fish tray.  You can purchase sheets of cardboard from craft stores or janitorial supply stores or you can use a cardboard box. The tray we made is about 14"x8" but you can make tray any size you like. We stuck with one fish shape but you can make different fish shapes and sizes if you prefer.  Or if you are working with a group of kids, they can each design their own fish shape.  You can look at some different fish online or in books for ideas.
Liquid starch for paper mache, or any recipe you prefer.  I prefer starch as it is easy to use and dries nice and crisp.  Liquid starch can be found at large markets and Smart and Final.  An old pie tin or plastic plate or container for starch.
Masking tape, scissors, a sharp knife (not necessary but can be easier to cut cardboard with than scissors).
Wax paper. which is best for drying paper mache objects on as when object is dry, it will peel right off easily.
Acrylic paints, assortment of colors, preferably summer colors.  You can use the little inexpensive 2 ounce bottles sold at craft stores or tubes or any brand you like.  A paper plate works well for a palette.  Be sure to let kids choose their own colors. 
Paint brushes in assorted sizes.
Clear gloss acrylic top coat, any kind available. You will only need a small amount as one coat will do.

HOW TO ~

Make a fish pattern out of newspaper (or any paper handy).  Easiest way is to fold a rectangle in half and draw half of a fish, cut, open, ready to go.  Make a few different ones.

Trace fish on cardboard and cut out with scissors or a knife if you are extra careful....adults only.

For tray rim, cut a long strip about 1" high.  You may have to cut a few if you don;t have any long pieces of cardboard and piece together around fish.

Before taping the rim to the fish, bend the strip so it is flexible.  Use masking tape and tape rim to fish.

Paper mache fish with starch and torn strips of newspaper.  Dip newspaper strips in starch and squeegee with your fingers, apply to tray, making it as smooth as possible.  One coat of paper mache will do for this project.  Be sure to do the under side as well.  Put fish on wax paper to dry and add a few weights (rocks, cans, bottles etc) at either end so fish will dry really flat and won't curl. While fish is drying, move the weights around a bit so they don;t leave a mark.  When fish is dry, it will lift off wax paper easily.

When fish are dry, paint with a coat of Gesso or white acrylic paint so you will have a nice white background which makes colors brighter.  I prefer Gesso for the way it covers.  When dry, fish are ready to paint.

Make a palette for each child and let them choose their colors.  It's always a good idea to give kids a few suggestions or even make a few sketches, just to get their imaginations going.  Let them know that fish can be anything and that some good designs to use are dots, stripes, or wavy lines and they can paint their fish a color or a few to start and add designs when dry.  When paint is dry, add top coat.  Have fun!

BIRD HOUSE CRAFT ~ PAPER MACHE

Paper Mache Bird Houses are easy to make and fun for kids of all ages to paint.  Kids can use them to store treasures in their room or hang from the ceiling in a window.  Houses are painted with acrylics and can be any colors or designs child chooses.  Kids can help construct the house or it can be made ahead for them if that fits the situation better.  Houses can be just about any size but these are around 8 to 12 inches high and about 5 or 6 inches on the sides.  You can make a tall roof or not so tall.  House is created from cardboard base, paper mached with newspaper, and painted with acrylics.

Materials ~ 

Cardboard, pieces or a box and extra pieces for roof.  Newspaper strips and liquid starch or any paper mache recipe you prefer.  I like liquid starch as it is clean and easy to use and dries nice and crisp.  You can buy it at larger markets and Smart and Final.  Gesso or white acrylic paint for a nice white base.  Assorted acrylic colors and brushes.

Directions ~

Decide size house you would like and either use a box for the base or cut cardboard from a pattern you can make out of newspaper (shown below).  Just remember to cut a hole for the "birds".  Roof can be any height you prefer (see below).

After house is cut, glue or tape it together and cover with a layer of paper mache.  Dip newspaper strips in starch, squeegee, and place on cardboard.  Cover house evenly and make as smooth as possible.  Let dry and add another layer which will smooth out rough places and make house stronger.

When dry, paint with a coat of Gesso or white acrylic so you have a nice bright base to paint.  Let child choose colors they like, and make a pallet on a paper plate.  Let kids know that it's a good idea not to mix all of their colors together but that it's fine to mix new colors, in a separate area. It's also okay to paint designs and patterns on top of colors after they have dried.  Encourage kids to try painting details such as flowers, plants, trees, patterns, designs, birds etc but let them know that any way they want their house is perfect. When house is dry, you can add a coat of clear acrylic gloss for a nice shine and to make it a little stronger.

Pattern out of newspaper (great for making all kinds of patterns) for house, 4 sides and 2 roof peeks.  Roof can be cut out of cardboard later.

Trace pattern on cardboard, cut (might need a sharp knife so be careful) score, fold and tape.  Cut a hole which takes a little patience.

Roof is one piece, scored, and folded to fit house bottom.  Glue.

Add paper mache and let dry.  Add a second coat after first coat is dry for extra smoothness and strength.

Add a coat of Gesso or white acrylic paint for a nice bright clean base.  I like Gesso for the way it covers.  Worth the investment if you plan on doing a lot of paper mache and you should!  Make a bird house for a child who has to spend quiet time resting or recuperating as kids love painting paper mache objects.