Tips for a Fun and Safe 4th of July

Where are you spending the 4^th of July? The park? The beach? If you have a long drive ahead of you, you’ll need something to keep the kids entertained. Here’s a free summer word search printable from Teacher’s Square!  This word search is a great activity for kids with a beach theme, which is great for summer! http://www.teacherssquare.com/PDF/Teacherssquare/FunAtTheBeachWordSearch.pdf

 

But there’s a lot more that goes into a celebration besides just surviving the journey there. Below we’ve compiled some tips to keep you and your children safe during the 4^th of July, no matter where you’re celebrating.

Tips for:

Spending the 4^th at the Park

- Arrive early. A lot of people head to the park to watch fireworks, picnic out, and have some fun family time. If you want a good spot you need to arrive long before the fireworks begin.

-Bring food. Anyone will get hungry while spending a full day at the park. You should pack a variety of foods. Bring sandwiches for a meal, but also bring things to snack on such as pretzels, apples, and anything else you can think of!

-Choose somewhere with bathrooms nearby. This is especially important for those of you with younger children, who will need a bathroom and need it right away. It might be a good idea to bring toilet paper, as bathrooms tend to run out quickly on holidays. 

-Use a lot of sunscreen. This not only prevents sunburns, which can ruin a fun day out, but it also helps to prevent skin cancer. Teach your children early about being safe in the sun.

 -Bring entertainment to last the whole day. Some examples? Footballs, soccer balls, Frisbees, books, magazines, cards, and tons more.

- Keep a close eye on kids. Let them run around and play, but children, especially young ones, are more likely to get lost in large crowds. Relax, but be wary.

Spending the 4^th at the Beach

-Bring sunscreen and apply it often. You and your children will be in the sun a lot, so it’s important to keep skin protected.

-Bring water. Staying hydrated in the heat is essential. It is easy for children in particular to get dehydrated and overheated.

 -Have a change of clothes for the fireworks. Not only will it be more comfortable, it will save time after the fireworks end. You can head straight for the car instead of joining the lines of people going to change.

 -Bring food or money for beachside dining. You can’t forget to eat!

-Keep a close eye on kids, especially when they’re playing in the water. Drowning is a serious risk while playing at the beach, especially if you’re at the ocean instead of a lake. Tides can pull inexperienced and experienced swimmers alike out into deeper water. If your children are younger, go with them into the water or send an older sibling with who can watch them.

Spending the 4^th at Home 

-Shop in advanced. It will only stress you out if you have to run to the store on the 4^th to get things for the day. Have that done already.

-Have games for kids. Whether you make up activities, have yard games, or indoor games, make sure there’s plenty of entertainment to keep kids happy.

 -Practice grill safety at all times if you’re cooking out.

-Watch fireworks from your yard or on TV to celebrate.

- If you have sparklers at home, make sure to use them safely. Children under 12 really should not be allowed to hold them, and any child playing them should be monitored carefully.

- If you may legally use consumer fireworks, do so with extreme caution. Fireworks are dangerous. Keep children back and plan for all types of situations before attempting to set off your own fireworks.

There you have it! We at www.teacherssquare.com wish you all a very happy 4^th of July! Have fun!