Our nation's "birthday" is coming up - a time to celebrate freedom,
family, and the flag. Turn your picnic or barbeque into a red, white and
blue blast, with fake fireworks, fiery food, and family fun. You can
hold the picnic at the park, in your backyard, or a place near your
local fireworks display. Here are some ideas for throwing a patriotic
celebration the whole clan can enjoy.
Wear Your Patriotic Picnic Attire
Get into the spirit by dressing the part. You have lots of options
when it comes to costumes. Before you know it, you'll be ready to wave
the flag.
- Paint each others' faces with non-toxic, washable face paints. Let
the kids paint their parents (and each other) in red, white and blue
stars, stripes, and mini flags. Add glittery stickers for a sparkly
effect.
- Make Statue of Liberty-inspired crowns, sprinkle them with glitter,
and wear them along with crepe paper sashes. Or make Uncle Sam hats and
wear them with red shirts and blue, striped pants.
- Come dressed as a patriot from the past, such as Betsy Ross, Paul Revere, or George and Martha Washington.
Fly the Flag and Colors
No matter where you host the party, make it festive with red, white
and blue balloons, streamers, banners, and swags. Tie helium-inflated
balloons to the picnic tables, wrap the streamers around trees, and hang
banners and swags along the fence or between two trees. For added fun,
fill the balloons with sparkly confetti and let the kids pop them.
Fill clear bowls with red, white and blue flowers or food in
patriotic colors. Some ideas include strawberries, blueberries, and
mini-marshmallows or whipped topping, or candies in matching colors,
such as jellybeans or M&Ms. Anything red, white, and blue will work!
Set the table with a picnic theme, using red and white checkered
tablecloths, accented with blue plates, napkins and cups. Or cover the
table with a white paper tablecloth, provide red and blue crayons, and
let the kids decorate the cloth with stars, sparklers, flags and
flowers. Sprinkle the table with confetti, small American flags, or
silver stars.
Play American marching music and anthems in the background, and then
have a sing-along while you wait for the fireworks to begin.
Family Fun
Make American history come alive and celebrate our country with a few fun games and activities.
- Let the kids make their own American flags using white cotton
handkerchiefs. Tape the hankies to the table to keep them steady, and
then offer the kids markers in red and blue to decorate their flags.
Attach the finished flags to dowels and wave them in the air.
- Play Capture the Flag. Have the kids place their flags on either
side of the yard or play area. On the word "go," see who can capture the
other one's flag first. Or make it a treasure hunt by hiding small
American flags around the area, and let the kids try to find them all.
- Hand out water balloons and let the kids cool off by tossing them
at each other. Or have the family form a circle, fill a balloon with
water, and insert a pin to create a small hole. Pass the balloon around
the circle as fast as you can until the balloon is empty. The last one
holding the empty balloon loses, while everyone gets a little wet!
- Play Volleyballoon. Blow up a balloon, toss it up in the air, and
take turns trying to keep it up. Or string a rope across the area,
divide into equal teams, and play volleyball with balloons.
- Let the kids decorate white helium-inflated balloons with red and
blue markers to look like flags. Tie them around the area and let them
"fly."
Picnic Fare
Make your food double as decorations:
- Serve the strawberry, blueberry, and whipped topping dessert you made as a decoration.
- Keep guests quenched with red cranberry or blue fruit punch drinks. Freeze blueberries in ice cubes and add them to the drinks.
- Make a flag snack platter by arranging cut up fruit (strawberries,
blueberries, bread (white, sour dough), and cheese (jack, swiss) in a
flag or star design.
- Let the kids make cookies using a star-shaped cookie cutter. Decorate it with blue icing and top with red sprinkles.
- Scoop out a half of a watermelon and refill it with fruit, punch,
or raspberry sherbet dotted with chocolate chips to look like a
watermelon.
Stars and Fireworks
When it gets dark, spread out a blanket, lie down, and enjoy the
local fireworks. While you wait, take turns talking about what America
means to you, why you love your country, or who your favorite patriot
is.
Penny Warner has more than 25 years of experience as an author
and party planner. She has published more than 50 books, including 16
specific to parties. Additionally, Warner writes a weekly newspaper
column on family life, penned a column for Sesame Street Parents
magazine and has appeared on several regional and national TV morning
programs. Her latest book, HOW TO HOST A KILLER PARTY, debuted in
February 2010 from NAL/Penguin.
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