We expect to hear plenty of ooh’s and ahh’s to accompany all the bright and sparkly things we’ll see on the Fourth of July, but I hope to eliminate any ow’s with these safera alternatives to sparklers that they can enjoy on Independence Day. Or heck, all summer long. I hope these 6 fun Fourth of July crafts for kids help create a safer holiday for all.
Related: Free printable Fourth of July temporary tattoos
Pipe Cleaner Sparkler Craft for Fourth of July (tutorial, Kix Cereal)
Metallic pipe cleaners make great faux sparklers, especially in red, white, and blue colors. Follow the easy Pipe Cleaner Sparklers tutorial at the Kix Cereal blog (yes, really — they have some great craft projects there) and then let the kids wave them at the parade or just run around the yard with them at dusk.
Red-White-and-Blue Ribbon Wand Craft for Fourth of July (tutorial, Cool Mom Picks)
Last year, we shared this fun 4th of july craft for kids and we still love it. Just grab some colorful ribbons and our instructions for a red-white-and-blue ribbon wand complete with a hidden bell inside if you want to make shaking it even more fun. Then, enjoy your fire-free decorations as the kids put on their own show.
Related: 9 fun, easy, no-bake 4th of July party treats kids will love
Sparkler Firework Craft (tutorial, Kids’ Craft Room)
Colored cellophane and tin foil create an extra-sparkly sparkler as shown on Kids’ Craft Room’s Sparkler Firework Craft. This UK mom uses “fire colors” for her sparklers which look great, though I’d probably go more all-American on Independence Day with red, white, and blue colors. (No offense, UK!)
Patriotic Tinsel Sparklers for Fourth of July (tutorial, Modern Parents Messy Kids)
Those random bundles of patriotic tinsel I always see in the craft store–what exactly are they used for? Well now I know they can become festive Fourth of July sparklers for kids to wave at everyone they see. Just check out Modern Parents Messy Kids’ instructions so that your tinsel wands last through the day.
Paper Sparklers for Fourth of July (tutorial, Momtastic)
Though the tutorial at Momtastic for these paper sparkles for kids uses vellum paper, I think that regular card stock would be perfectly fine for making a sparkler prop for Fourth of July photos.
Safer Fourth of July Sparkler Holder for Kids (tutorial, Somewhat Simple Living)
Going with real sparklers? Hey, I don’t blame you. So I love this idea for turning a plastic cup into a safety shield for kids’ tender hands. Kids can either hold onto the “hidden” sparkler inside the cup, or place it down somewhere as a sparkler stand if they’re nervous to touch it. Check out the tutorial at Somewhat Simple Living.
Happy Fourth everyone!
