July 4th Family Fun Friday

This is my Fun Friday Red, White and Blue Spectacular. If you're not at the beach this weekend, and you are looking for something to do with the family,look no further. Here are my picks for some fun things to do with the kids this weekend.

1. It's July 4th weekend and Philadelphia wouldn't be complete without it's Annual Wawa Welcome Back America Festivities, going on all this week, ending with a bang! Build lasting memories and traditions by attending festivities fit for everyone in your family. Through out the weekend, you can enjoy such festivities as All you can eat Ice Cream, Wawa Welcome Back Block Party in China Town, The Independence Day Parade and Free Neighborhood Concert and Fireworks Celebration viewable from Penn's Landing and the Camden Waterfront with the grand finale Fireworks Sunday on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Check out their website for more information and a schedule of events.

2. When my daughter was 18 months old, we went to the River Sharks and stayed until after the game for their fireworks, big mistake. My daughter was so overwhelmed and afraid of the noise, she fell asleep. Then last year when we took her to see fireworks at Cherry Hill West, she jumped into my lap once the noise started. To say the least she is not a fan of fireworks. But she may go for something like this. The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill, New Jersey is celebrating America's Birthday this weekend with Silent Fireworks, Patriotic Crafts and a Sing a long celebration. Did someone say silent? Right up her alley!

3. Lakeshore Learning Store and The Home Depot are offering Free Activities for kids this weekend, and what holiday would be complete without a great holiday craft? Join Home Depot in their monthly Kids Workshop on Saturday from 9:00am to noon and help your little one build a Periscope, then pop on over to the Lakeshore Learning Store between 11:00am to 3pm and make some super cute Patriotic Drums. All Free.

4. Longwood Gardens will be showcasing their Fireworks and Fountains Spectacular, Sunday July 4th at 9:15. And if you've been to Longwood Gardens, you know they always put on a crowd pleasing show, no matter what the event. If you're not able to make it Sunday or you liked it so much you want to go again, don't stress, their Annual Fireworks and Fountains Show will be happening every Sunday throughout July and August!

5. Join Skippack Village for their 4th of July Parade and Fireworks. The parade starts at noon and travels right down Route 73, through the heart of Skippack Village, followed by a BBQ at 3:00pm, and then they'll have you oohing and aahing as you top off the evening with their fireworks display starting at dusk in Palmer Park. Make it a day at Skippack as you browse thru many of the vendors and crafters that will be on hand. Fireworks, food and shopping? Now that's my kind of party!


You don't have to go out to have a great 4th of July, after all, some of the best memories are those we make at home. Here are some great things you can do at home with the kids.

1. What kid doesn't love to make a mess with water, straws and paint? Here they can make a mess and call it a work of art. Looks like a great idea too. Check out Family Fun's Firework Art. For all you non-crafty people out there, that would be me, this is an easy easy one. They recommend making this art on a piece of paper or card stock. But you can probably switch it up a bit, using fabric paint and a plain white t-shirt. Your child can make their own Fireworks t-shirt to commemorate this special day!

Check out the Family Fun website! They have some great crafts ranging from Patriotic Pedicures, Pom-Poms and Twirlers.

2. In my opinion, the best crafts are the ones you can eat later. We love making simple cupcakes, decorating them using icing and holiday colored rainbow jimmies. Simple to bake and everyone joins in on the fun. But here is a great recipe I found from Taste of Home that I will be making this weekend. It's an Old Glory Desert Recipe: Fresh Fruit Pizza. They use refrigerated cookie dough for the crust, a cream cheese icing and fresh fruit for the topping! The kids could help you decorate this one, just be prepared to "let go". I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Time for desert?

3. Teach your child to love and be proud of the country they live in. In an article on Parents.com, 10 Way to Teach Kids to Love America, they encourage using the inspiration from the holiday to teach your kids about the patriotism. Among them are teaching your child about Our People, Our Communities, Our Flag and Our Pledge.

Speaking of the Pledge of Allegiance, here's my daughter's version:

Have a Happy 4th from my blog to yours!