Greater Lansing Area Moms is slowing down some and taking a bit of a break this week but not before sharing a few simple ideas to throw in your Independence Day “bag” of fun. Below, find simple – some free – things to do! This is not a to-do list though. We hope it serves as inspiration of July 4th fun with your family and friends.
If you have other ideas, please share, we would love to add to our list. Email [email protected]
🇺🇸 Create a July Fourth playlist! Belt out Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, the Chicks’, Kenny Chesney and more. TODAY Show shared a list of over 40 last year — would you add others? Don’t forget the classics!
🇺🇸 Write a letter to yourself. Why? You won’t remember some details and a note tucked away to find at a later date is a nice reminder of what you did this year. If you have Independence Day decorations, think about putting your note there.
🇺🇸 Stargaze. Take a moment after the kids are to sleep – or if they are still up – have them join in. Look up and let’s see what we see.
🇺🇸 Make a cocktail or mocktail. Greater Lansing Area Moms has a few HERE or search Facebook, Instagram or Google “July 4th Drinks” and you may just find a new favorite.
🇺🇸 Get the outdoor games out – all of them! Bocce, yes! Frisbee, yes! Kickball, absolutely! And play all day. Leave them out until the end of the day and see how much fun you have! Or make a waterpark at home. Or both!
🇺🇸 Enjoy the fireworks. Photos of fireworks are amazing and also can be a little disappointing. Sometimes the images are incredible and sometimes they, well, are terrible. Put down the phone and look up. See the show through the same lens as the rest of your family.
Yet…. If you are set on getting a photo of fireworks, consider this. Position yourself behind your kids, get your phone down very low and angle the phone so that you are looking at the fireworks like your kids through the phone. Then when it is time to take the photo, touch the screen where the fireworks will be, just not on your child/children. It will look something like this (and hopefully better photos this year)!
🇺🇸 Chalk. Chalk the walk, the driveway, and if you are going somewhere, bag up a handful of pieces of sidewalk chalk and keep them busy – if your destination is okay with sidewalk chalk – and decorate with stars, stripes, fireworks and more! HERE is a link to lots of ideas and inspiration on Pinterest.
🇺🇸 Create a care package and send it to a soldier. Soldiers’ Angels offers ideas and guidance of what things can and cannot be sent. And include a note or ask the kids to draw or paint a photo. Also, before you send, you may want to decorate the outside of the box too! USPS offers free shipping kits too!
🇺🇸 When you are driving to wherever you are going with the kids, play red, white and blue iSpy.
🇺🇸 Speaking of red, white and blue, challenge your kids to wear all red or all blue. No way will we suggest all white. We would love to see how they styled themselves.
🇺🇸 Start a new tradition! Or do something new this week, and maybe it will be something you enjoyed so much it becomes your must-do around July 4th.
Feeling inspired? We hope so and we would love to see it! Tag @greaterlansingareamoms on both Facebook and Instagram if you post about your July 4th fun!
🇺🇸 PSA of the day, if sparklers are out have the hose or a bucket nearby!
Have a great July 4th weekend. 😊
More on Greater Lansing Area Moms:
July 4th Fun in the Greater Lansing area
10+ Fairs & Festivals and other Summer Fun in Greater Lansing
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