Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

Creativity can light up a fireworks-free Fourth

For many people, the Fourth of July is all about the rockets' red glare.

But Independence Day doesn't have to be about the bombs bursting in air. In fact, there are plenty of fun, safe, fireworks-free ways to celebrate the patriotic holiday in your own back yard.

A look at 10 fun things to do this July 4:

1. America the Beautiful: Print patriotic songs and sing away. As a bonus, if you try really hard, your family could rival fireworks decibel levels with its singing. Find lyrics at www.usa-flag-site.org/
2. Independent crafts: Help your kids create patriotic crafts, such as red, white and blue pinwheels, or a U.S. flag made from Popsicle sticks. Decorate your house, your block or get the entire neighborhood in the spirit with your creations. Find designs at www.enchantedlearning.com
3. Lots of pop: Go to a party store and stock up on noisemakers, streamers and confetti shooters so you can have bombs bursting in air, just without the sparks. Couple the noisemakers with the patriotic singing and you'll definitely give all those bottle rockets a run for their decibels.
4. >Reduce, reuse, recycle: Better yet, make noisemakers with common household items. Fill an empty soup can with pennies or dry beans, then tape sturdy red, white or blue construction paper over the top. Get creative with the decorations and then shake, shake, shake away.
5. All rocket, no glare: There are plenty of high-flying toy rockets that are propelled without the need for fire. Some are launched slingshot-style, while others use pressurized air or water, or baking soda and vinegar reactions. Stop by a discount, toy or educational store and pick up some on the way to a nice, open park. These suckers need plenty of space.
6. Yankee Doodle marathon: Invite friends over to watch Fourth of July movies. Films to get you in the Independence Day spirit include "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "1776" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever." Pop a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy.
7. Water-loo balloon battle: Turn your back yard into a wet battleground with an arsenal of squirt guns, water cannons and sprinklers. For heavy shelling, buy a couple of bags of red, white and blue balloons and let the soaking begin.
8. Stars & Stripes fashion show: Make star-spangled fashions with patriotic-colored construction paper and streamers. With scissors, tape and glue, you, too, could be wearing Uncle Sam's top hat or holding the Statue of Liberty's torch. You might want to do this far from suggestion No. 7, because these styles definitely are not waterproof.
9. Four score skits: Get historic by re-creating great speeches. Have the kids read parts of the Gettysburg Address, Declaration of Independence, Constitution and more (see www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html. Or get creative and make up a skit and song about the Founding Fathers or whatever part of history interests you. Be sure to have everyone wear their star-spangled fashions.
10. Fiery food festival: Start a four-alarm fire without lighting a match. Head to the grocery and stock up on the hottest, spiciest, most scorching food you can find. Bring back salsas, sauces, chilies, Buffalo wings, sausages and anything else that will make you sweat -- and see who can stand the heat the longest. I suggest cooling down with the water balloon fight afterward.

Bee staff writer Lisa Millegan and editors Jim Silva, Deke Farrow and Pat Clark contributed to this report.