July fourth can be a fun holiday and many people look forward to the firework displays. But if you have young or special needs children, public firework displays may be way too crowed, scary, and loud. Here’s how to celebrate the 4th of July at home and make it a special holiday for your family.
Skip the nighttime firework displays. Babies, toddlers, and most young school age children benefit from routine and predictable schedules. The lights and loud booms of fireworks can be really frightening. Staying up hours after bedtime to view fireworks at your local park is asking for overexcited children, meltdowns, and cranky little ones the day after. Consider the long walk from the parking, lines for the porta-potty, and the traffic jam after the firework display. Save the public fireworks for school age kids. Everyone will enjoy the independence day holiday so much more!
Have your kids create decorations and food. Make red, white, and blue paper chains, have a flag ceremony, and host a BBQ or a neighborhood parade. Cook up some blueberry, strawberry and whipped cream desserts or use blueberry jelly and ham on crackers or toast to make 4th of July sandwiches. Kids love to celebrate holidays!
Buy some pop-its. Look for them in your local card and balloon party stores. They have a satisfying pop and are super easy for young children to throw to the ground. A box of 50 can last a long time and the little ones enjoy the cause and effect when they get to control the firework.
Sparklers are fun for preschoolers and up. Know your child and manage them as needed to prevent unsafe behavior or burns. Respect their fears and just stick it in the ground to watch from a safe distance if they express concern.
Buy a couple of carefully chosen fireworks. The big packages at chain stores will have a lot of noisy junk mixed in to make it look like a deal. Go to a fireworks store or Internet store and study the height, loudness, and color ratings. You can find some really fun fireworks that rate high on color and low on sound. Seat the kids in a chair a safe distance away and enjoy the display!
Tips:
Take pictures of your fun 4th of July and post them on the fridge. Build upon your family traditions and know you created a relaxing and fun 4th of July for your young children!
Always supervise children when using fireworks.
Buy a couple of extra fireworks and set them off for New years!
