By Rebecca Hastings

Thinking of the Fourth of July always brings images of parades and fireworks. These are great ways to celebrate, but there is a lot you can do to have fun with your kids and feel patriotic this holiday. Try these special ideas to celebrate the Fourth with your family.

Get the history basics down. Many families don't even know why we celebrate the Fourth. Sometimes there are even mixed feelings about the holiday considering difficult parts of the nation's history or the current state. You can honor all of those feelings while still recognizing why we celebrate.

The Fourth of July celebrates America becoming a nation. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Today, we celebrate to honor the founding of the U.S. and the freedom it represents. A fun way to share this with kids is with books. Some great options are:

The Story of America's Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry

The 4th of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh

Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus

Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies by Cokie Roberts

Display your flag. Hanging an American flag is a great way to get in the red, white, and blue spirit. If you don't have a full-size flag, your kids can paint or color one to hang in the window. You can even use sidewalk chalk to make one in the driveway. Kids also love the small flags available at this time of year. Try lining your walkway with them or putting one by your mailbox. 

Make patriotic tie-dye. You just need red and blue dye to make a patriotic tie-dye. White cotton shirts or tank tops are perfect for a fun Fourth of July craft to make before the fourth. Have the whole family make them and then wear them to your Fourth of July activities.

Get colorful. Try fun face paint and nail polish for a festive look to go with your shirts. Red, white, and blue stripes and stars are a great way to show your American spirit.

Paint your yard. Grab some grass-friendly spray paint and make your yard the talk of the neighborhood. Spray some red and white stripes for the perfect way to stand out. You can even make star-shaped cut-outs from cardboard as a stencil for the white stars and blue background.

Visit a historic landmark. A family trip to a Historic National Landmark is a great way to feel patriotic for the Fourth of July. You can make it a day trip or a longer getaway to visit a noteworthy place or monument in United States history. Search for National Landmarks in each state online and set out on an educational adventure.

Get crafty. Have some family craft time in honor of the red, white, and blue. You can try a simple craft like painting rocks with stars and stripes to leave around the yard or town. This is great for all ages and doesn't require a lot of supplies. A quick online search for Fourth of July crafts will give you plenty of crafty ideas!

Go on a scavenger hunt. Create or download a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. The list can challenge people to find things like a flag, a holiday shirt, a soldier, or an apple pie. You can customize the list for your needs. This is great to do during a parade or family cookout.

Thank someone. The freedom we have in the U.S. is maintained by dedicated service men and women. Consider visiting a VA hospital, making cards or care packages for veterans, and thanking servicemembers in the community.

Make holiday food. You can eat so many things to represent and celebrate the Fourth of July. Try some of the holiday classics like watermelon and apple pie. You can also make themed treats like a red-white-and-blue trifle or star-shaped cookies.

No matter how you decide to celebrate, remember that it is a privilege to be able to do so. While there is still important change and progress to be made, we can celebrate our country's founding in fun ways. 

Rebecca is a published author and former teacher passionate about authenticity, faith, and family. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate. Connect with her at RebeccaHastings.net and on Instagram.