Kids 4th of July Book and Activity

A children's summer craft idea based on a Fourth of July picture storybook. Teach kids about America's birthday while having fun as a family.

Get your primary school age kids excited about America’s Independence Day with an educational activity they can do at home. Use Harriet Ziefert’s Hats Off for the Fourth of July (Viking, 2000) as the basis for a family craft and parade.

What You’ll Need

• Hats Off for the Fourth of July by Harriet Ziefert
• Strips of cardstock
• Construction Paper
• Markers
• Other art supplies

What to Do

1. Before you read the book flip through the pages and look at the pictures. Ask your children to tell you what they think will happen in the story.
2. Read Hats Off for the Fourth of July and talk about what happened in the story. Check to see if the kids’ prediction were correct.
3. Ask them to list the different things that went by in the parade. Reread the book and to complete the list.
4. Discuss the title and then tell the kids they are going to get to make their favorite hat from the story.
5. Use the cardstock strip as the hat’s foundation. Staple the strip so that it becomes a band that fits each child’s head.
6. Cover the band with construction paper to create a motorcycle helmet, a Little League hat, a cowboy hat, or whatever hat they have chosen. The kids can then decorate the hat using art supplies you already have at home.
7. When all the hats are finished have everyone march around the house for a family parade.