Red, White, and Blue

Penny Spinner

Make a fun and easy top at home. Watch the colors and patterns blend together as it spins! For the spinner template and detailed instructions click the button below.

See how a penny spinner works by clicking on the video below!

Fireworks In a Jar

Watch a dazzling display of colors with this fun experiment about density. Water is heavier than oil, but when you add carbon dioxide it sends the colored water floating, until the gas is released.

Don't have Alkaseltzer? Try the simplified version. The food coloring is heavier than the oil, causing it to drop down into the water.

Magic Milk

Mixing soap, milk, and food coloring? Seems silly, but as soap attaches to the fat particles in the milk it breaks the surface tension and sends the colors running! Create a swirl of colors with this cool activity.

If I Ran for President Read-Aloud

Our Red, White, and Blue read-aloud is If I Ran for President By Catherine Stier and illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath. This story is about the long road and hard work it takes to become the president of the United States. Learn about the ins and outs of running for president and how the electoral system works in this story read by Lonnie Chavis, Parker Bates, and Mackenzie Hancsicsak. Click the button below to watch this fun read aloud.

Stars and Stripes

Make some cuts and folds to create your own red, white, and blue free form art from home! These stars and stripes will add the best snap, crackle, and pop to your Fourth of July celebration! For detailed instructions click the button below.

Materials Needed

Do not be afraid to improvise materials if you do not have the exact thing!

Stars and Stripes Craft: glue or glue stick, paper (one blue paper, one white paper cut into 2 in wide strips, one red paper cut into 2 in wide strips), 5-6 white stars or buttons or ribbon, can use other materials like tissue paper, fabric, printer paper, ribbon, etc. , scissors

Penny Spinners: spinner template. cardstock (light weight food boxes work also), scissors, coin, and coloring supplies (pencils, crayons, markers, etc.)

Fireworks Experiment- Kit includes: Effervescent tablets like Alka Seltzer, food coloring, oil (vegetable, mineral, baby, or similar), water, and jar or glass

If there are fireworks displays in your community remember safety first. Click the button below to see tips from KidsHealth for how to keep safe around fireworks

Learn more about all the signers of the Declaration of Independence before and after the Revolution by clicking the button below.

Food plays a big part in many 4th of July celebrations. Click the button below to learn more about the history behind some of these holiday favorites.

Click the button below to learn more about the process involved in creating and signing the Declaration of Independence with this resource from National Geographic.

Learn more about the flag that inspired the national anthem, including an interactive flag for exploring its creation and conservation. Click the button below for more.

Click the button below to learn more about the history of other holidays observed in the United States.