Guest blog by: Midge

July 4^th would not be the same without being gathered together with my sister and her children.  It has become one of our annual family traditions to spend Independence Day shooting off fireworks and enjoying an evening BBQ.  This year, the dry weather waylaid our regular firework plans due to the dry conditions and extreme fire danger in the area.

We all put our heads together yesterday and came with a few other substitute ideas to use instead of fireworks in the evening. Here are a few of the kid’s favorites…

1. Egg  Fireworks:  We balanced an egg in the middle of our plastic picnic table.  Then, on the count of three we threw our egg at the stationary egg. When, impact happened it was messy but it had the same “basic” effect as a firework.  The kids all thought this was a lot of fun! Don’t try this idea at night because you might just lose an egg in the dark and end up sitting on it or worse yet, hitting your sister by accident (but, I did say I was sorry!!).  An old fashioned egg-throw or egg and spoon race would be fun to add next year too!  It would be an “Egg-stravagant” Independence Day celebration!
2. Independence Snack:  Everyone has to come to the party with a different 4^th of July themed dessert.  From flags on cakes to skewers with strawberries, blueberries and string cheese, the sky is the limit on creative designs!  Click here for our favorites this year: Bowl of Fruit Stars and Fruit Flag. We also celebrated my sister’s and my daughter’s birthday on this day, which added to our sweet tooth and fun party atmosphere!
3. Trivia Game:  Check out obscure websites for Independence Day trivia questions to ask your guests questions such as, “Who first sang the song Yankee Doodle Dandy and why?” and “When was the Star Spangled banner first written and when did it become our national anthem?”  4th of July Factoids
4. Pinterest Fun:  Put “4^th of July” in the search bar on Pinterest and have everyone pick their favorite patriotic pin of a recipe or activity.  Promise to meet again and use that Pin for inspiration for a commemoration of Veteran’s Day.
5. A Different Kind of Fireworks Display:  And lastly, in the absence of fireworks and having kids that still want to stay up late, you could lay out some large blankets on the grass in your backyard, turn the lights off and lay down for some fun and relaxing star gazing.  Spend time in wonder over God’s creation, the seemingly never ending sky as it stretches out before you with twinkling lights.  If you get a chance to see a shooting star, that will be a bonus!!  It will be better than a man made firework show any day of the week!

Did you have fireworks in your area?  What creative non-fireworks activity would you like to add to this list?  What was your favorite part of the Independence Day holiday this year?

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