Family activities abound over the 4th of July. According to Bonnie Terry, the 4th of July is the perfect time for a family activity such as a picnic, BBQ,Ball Between the Legs Race, Egg on a Spoon Race, Blowing up a Baloon Race, 3-legged Race, Sack Race, etc. And while you’re at it, do some relay races, an obstacle course, or water balloon toss. Relay races and obstacle courses actually improve several areas of learning including auditory memory, visual memory, laterality, and directionality. Be sure to take pictures!

Go to the fireworks and while you are watching them, be extra observant. Count how may blue, green, red, white, and multi-colored fireworks there are. You can even make a chart for this. Decide which colors were your favorite ones. Was there a style that you liked better than another? This will help you with your observation skills.

You can also look at the different kinds of people that come to view the fireworks. How many little children? How many do you think were school-age? How many teens? How many adults? How many people were dressed in red, white, and blue?

Afterwards, on July 5th, put the pictures together with a quick summary of your day using  a graphic organizer. Then, three-hole punch your summary and keep it in a family notebook. At the end of the summer, you’ll have a great family memory book as well!