Storytime & Craft: 4th Of July

Can you believe it's already July?  I know the months of the year and I knew that July was coming-- but it's here, now!  Not only that, but we are a day away from celebrating the birth of our great country, the United States of America!  I love all the red, white, and blue, parades, and fireworks; I am looking forward to it all.

In the meantime, Tyler and I read a couple of books and did a few crafts to get us in a celebratory mood for this once a year occasion. As I was mentioning above that my disbelief that it's already July made me realize the other day that I had to get to the library and get some Fourth of July themed books-- well, with this realization being only four days ago, I had slim pickings at my library, but here is what we ended up reading:

   

For the first craft, we made 4th of July fireworks!  With the exception of how we made our fireworks, this idea isn't anything new.  

Supplies: black construction paper, paint, fork and glitter.  

I put dots of paint all over Tyler's paper and here's the catch, with a fork, Tyler spread the paint around to make "fireworks."  Then, he sprinkled a mass of glitter all over them :  )  We are still finding little specks of glitter every now and then!  I wasn't exactly sure how this would turn out, but he and I are both pleased with our fireworks!

The second craft was easy-peasy and very low mess!  We made 4th of July themed paper lanterns.  I saw this idea in a local parents magazine and knew we had to do it!  

You'll need:

12x12 paper

stickers

stapler

scissors

ribbon

I started one paper lantern and Tyler later joined to decorate the other two sheets of paper I had recently purchased; have I mentioned that we are only a walk away from a craft store... I'm spoiled : )  Although, because it's so convenient, I want to go all the time!  Anyways, decorate your paper first with stickers, a hole punch, ...whatever suites your fancy!  

Next fold it in half, and begin to cut slits beginning at the folded edge leaving 1-2 inches (uncut) at the top.  

Carefully open it up and bring the vertical edges together and staple at the top and bottom (or glue, but staples were much easier and faster!)

Not a must if you are not hanging them, but finally staple a strip of ribbon to the top of your lantern and hang!  

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!!