I have great memories of July 4th growing up, and I want that for my kids too! BUT some fireworks at parties scream and whistle, and it doesn’t get dark here in the summer before 8:30pm which is when my kids are usually asleep. So…how can we have a kid friendly 4th of July?

The biggest life saver we discovered 3 years ago was earmuffs-the kind they use at the shooting range! You know, those really thick padded earmuffs like these so you don’t lose your hearing? I also put them on my baby one time when my husband and I wanted to go to the movies on a date but I was breastfeeding and couldn’t/didn’t want to leave him. Anyway, we got a pair for each of the kids at Harbor Freight and it was so much more enjoyable for us at the firework party! One tip is to set fireworks off on a flat piece of cardboard over your driveway or grass. We set them off last year directly on the driveway and it made a ton of black marks I couldn’t get off easy!

My husband enjoys doing a BBQ on the 4th as long as he’s not having to work! I always love the smell of a great BBQ! Our kids love hot dogs but never really eat the buns so I rarely buy hot dog buns. You can do a fruit tray and vegetable tray with dip and set out the sprinklers in the back so the kids can run around in the water while you grill up whatever!

Another thing we do for the 4th of July is purchase festive things that can be set off and seen in the day-like the army parachute guy firework-it’s become a favorite tradition our kids enjoy doing during daylight hours. My baby is always scared of sparklers so I make sure to get glow in the dark sticks for that. Colorful smoke balls are super fun in the day as well. Popsicles to end the night make an awesome memorable time for the kids! If there aren’t fireworks allowed you can always settle for a different variety of glow sticks or make cupcakes with candles in them to celebrate the birthday of our country! Kids love blowing those candles out over and over if you are willing to keep lighting them ;D Happy Fourth of July!