Celebrating 4th of July with an Art Project

I can’t believe the 4th of July is already here! We normally celebrate it with some side walk chalk and swimming during the day followed with the firework show at night. This year we decided to add an art activity with all the other festivities. This “firework” painting project is a lot of fun and a must for any of those children who are not fond of the loud “BOOM” that comes along with fireworks.

My son normally will only watch fireworks from a window or with us covering his ears. He has always been more sensitive to any type of loud noise, and fireworks are definitely loud! This art activity got him thinking about how much fun and how pretty those fireworks can be.

Celebrating the 4th of July with an Art Project

Items needed for this activity:

  • Paper plates
  • Empty paper towel/toilet paper roll
  • Paints (acrylic or any other type of washable paint)
  • Scissors: for cutting the slits on the end of the cardboard rolls
  • Optional: glittery puffy paint for added fun

Step 1:

Prepare the area for the art activity. This can be by setting it all up outside or by placing newspaper on a table where the painting will take place. I just went for it this time without any newspaper, and luckily it all came out well. 😉

Prep those ‘firework’ paint brushes. Take the empty paper towel roll and cut it in half to get 2 paint brushes. Next take the 2 cardboard rolls or just a toilet paper roll and cut 1/2″-1″ slits into one end. Then flare those strips outwards.

Step 2:

Allow your child to pick out the paint colors for their fireworks. Place these paint colors on a paper plate. I would suggest giving each child their own plate with paint. It is very difficult to not mix some of these paint colors by the end of the activity.

Step 3:

Place a clean paper plate in front of your child along with their ‘fireworks’ paint brush. To create the fireworks, dip the slits of the cardboard roll into the paint and gently press down onto the clean paper plate similar to when using a stamp. And ta-da!

My kids had a lot of fun with the 4th of July art project! As you can tell, my son imagined his fireworks as one big swirly mess.

What special activities or crafts do you plan with your kid(s) for the 4th of July? I would love to add to our list of things to do!

Wishing you all a happy and safe 4th of July!

Clair
Clair is a former science teacher turned stay at home mommy to 3 kids, Ryleigh (6), Brady (5) and Chloe (1). She is originally from Mississippi and moved to Louisiana after meeting her husband at Mississippi College. She can’t imagine living anywhere else now. The culture here in Louisiana is the best: from the great food to cheering on the LSU Tigers. Her background in science has her loving to incorporate all things science while at home with her kids. This has led her to the world of blogging! Her blog, The Sprouting Minds, includes all things ‘mommy’ as well as those engaging kid activities. She hopes she can spread the love of science to other families as well as encourage mothers along the way.

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