The holiday also celebrates America’s independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Preschool teachers and daycare providers should create simple but fun lesson plans with an Independence Day theme. Center your activities around arts and crafts, music and movement, and age-appropriate stories in order to introduce small children to the concept of Independence Day.
Children should learn basic concepts such as the colors of the flag, that Independence Day celebrates that we became our own country, and that this holiday is celebrated on the fourth of July every year.
Independence Day Arts and Crafts
Fireworks Craft
Materials:
- Koosh balls
- Construction paper (preferably black)
- Paint
- Glitter
Let the children dip their koosh balls into the paint, then stamp onto black paper. Next let them sprinkle the paper glitter, shaking off the excess. It will create a sparkly firework burst pattern. Note: If you can find koosh balls in a variety of sizes it will add to the fireworks effect.
Patriotic Kabobs
Clean and slice your choice of red, white, and blue fruit. Try strawberries, bananas and blueberries. Then let the children have fun sliding the fruit onto wooden skewers for a sweet, nutritious snack.
Fourth of July Alphabet Activity
F is for Flag Activity
First Preschool provides a flag coloring worksheet. Print this out and let the children practice tracing the letter F in both uppercase and lowercase. They can also have fun coloring the American flag in red, white, and blue.
Independence Day Music and Movement
Play patriotic music that pays homage to America. Children don’t need to know the words they can simply dance and march. Some song suggestions:
- “You’re a Grand Old Flag”
- “Yankee Doodle”
- “Stars and Stripes Forever”
An excellent compilation CD is “Songs of America” [Cedarmont Kids, 2002] which contains 13 lively American favorites.
Independence Day Books for Preschoolers
Hats off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert and Gustaf Miller [Puffin, 2002] is an energetic, rhythmic, rhyming story of how the townspeople of Chatham, Massachusetts celebrate Independence Day.
The Story of America's Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry and Stacy Venturi-Pickett [Candy Cane Press, 2000] is a board book which does a great job of briefly, yet effectively, explaining the importance of the 4th of July.
Corduroy's Fourth of July by Don Freeman and Lisa McCue [Viking Juvenile, 2007] is a colorful board book that details Corduroy and his friends enjoying fun festivities throughout Independence Day.
It is important not to overwhelm small children with complicated concepts. Keep your Independence Day activities straightforward and fun. Celebrate with simple, symbolic arts and crafts, music and movement with a fourth of July or patriotic theme, and informative nonfiction or fiction books about Independence Day.
