Fun and Festive 4th of July Ideas

Catch these idea live on KOMO TV’s 4pm news on Monday June 27th

It’s time to celebrate the red, white and blue! For many of us in the Puget Sound area, that means participating in and/or watching a parade!

Here are some great DIY projects to make before you head out to one of the local 4th of July parades. After the 4th of July, enjoy using these projects again at Derby Days in Redmond, July 8th and 9th. The kid’s parade is on Saturday July 9th at 10am. All supplies from Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.

Star Photo Display

This project is a great way to display former and current parade pictures!

Supplies: DecoArt Americana® Multi-Surface Acrylics in Lipstick mixed with DecoArt SoSoft Fine Glitters in Sizzling Red, wooden stray tray (this one measures 10 1/2 inches length and 13″ width), wooden dowel cut to 5″, wooden circle measuring 5″ in diameter, patriotic scrapbook paper and stickers, red, white and blue ribbon, small clothespins, hot glue, glue or Mod Podge and personal photos.

1. Paint the star, dowel and wooden circle red.

2. Trace the back of the wooden star on a piece of scrapbook paper and then trim in 1/2 inch all around. Glue inside the star.

3. Cut five strips of paper 9″ in length and 1 1/4 inches in width and glue around exterior of star.

4. Trace the top of the wooden circle on a piece of scrapbook paper, cut it out and glue paper to circle. If desired, add a round sticker to the center of the circle.

5. Using hot glue, attach the star to the dowel and the dowel to the circle.

6. With hot glue, attach clothespins to inside of star and add photos and stickers,

7. Tie some red, white and blue ribbon along the base of the star.

Painted Popcorn Basket

Make this cute basket for your 4th of July party or fill it with popcorn and bring it to enjoy as you catch a local parade.

Supplies: Basket (this one measures 7″), Americana® Paint in Snow and Country Red, masking tape, a ruler, a bandana, and plastic scoop.

1. Paint the basket white.

2. Measure 3 1/2 inches from the bottom of the basket and tape it off the masking tape.

3. Paint bottom section red (may take multiple coats).

4. Add bandana and fill with popcorn or other food.

5. Scoop with a small plastic scoop.

Craft Stick Flag

This is an awesome craft for kids to make, plus they can wave it as they walk or ride in the local kid’s parade.

Supplies: Six craft sticks, Americana® Paint in Snow, Country Red and Deep Midnight Blue, gold acrylic paint, glue, masking tape, glue dots and foam stars from Darice.

1. Glue five craft sticks together. When dry, flip over and add a layer of masking tape on the back.

2. Tape off an area in the top left corner measuring 2″ inches in length by 1″ inch height. Paint it blue.

3. Paint alternate stripes of red and white.

4. Glue small foam stars to blue rectangle.

5. Paint one craft stick gold and use glue dots to attach to flag.

Patriotic Star Headband

Here’s a colorful project for kids to create. Perfect for the 4th of July or any time!

Supplies: Plastic headband, Bright Minds Glitter Foam in blue, red and gold, Die Cut Machine at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames, using dies #365A (small star) and #74 (star).

Buy the supplies and use the die cut machine at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond for free!

1. Die cut various sizes of stars and stick them on headband.

DIY Canvas Flag

Make a DIY Canvas Flag to display at home or on the parade route.

Supplies: Large canvas flag banner from Canvas Home Basics, two 1 1/8 inch dowel caps from Lara’s Crafts, 20″ long thin wooden dowel, Americana® Paint in Snow, Country Red, and Midnight Blue, masking tape, silver glitter glue.

1. Measure and tape off a 12″ inch ling by 9″ wide rectangle. Draw a large heart in the space and paint the area around it blue.

2. Make 13 stripes and paint every other stripe red.

3. Using glitter glue, write “Land that I love” inside the heart.

4th of July Visor

Keep the sun out your eyes and look patriotic doing it with this darling 4th of July Visor.

Supplies: Red foam visor, Darice Felties alphabet stickers in royal blue, silver foam sheet, Die Cut Machine at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames, using dies #365A (small star) and #74 (star).

1. Use stickers to write out “United States of America” on the visor. Die cut one large and two silver stars from the foam sheet and add them to the visor.

Red, White and Blue Bucket

Kids can make this bucket to collect all the treats and goodies they’ll be scoring at that party or parade.

Supplies: Small bucket (this one is approx 5″ in height), patterned scrapbook paper (double sided fireworks and stripes) “Sweet Liberty” from Echo Park, ribbon and glue.

1. Cut a piece of the striped side of the paper 4 1/2 inches wide and add to bucket.

2. Cut a 3″ inch circle of the fireworks side of the paper and glue to lid.

3. Wind and tie ribbon around bucket.