Happy Fourth of July y’all! We only have a minute before running to the pool and doing all the things but I wanted to share with you some SUPER QUICK last minute ideas….so basically if you read all the words in this post…that’s about how long it takes to do any of these ideas to celebrate our Independence day! God bless America!
IDEA – Wrap up in an American flag and take some photos! It would be a great tradition – just don’t let that flag hit the ground!
IDEA – Pop a couple 99cent flags in your potted plants or in a vase for a quick pop of patriotic decor!
IDEA – Play glow stick games in the dark while waiting for fireworks! Make sure the glow sticks are in red white and blue!
IDEA – Decorate a wagon, a power wheels, a bike, or yourself with red, white and blue streamers. Have a mini parade!
IDEA – Use red, white or blue table items for a festive meal – use patriotic hats or mini flags as an inexpensive way to make a USA centerpiece.
IDEA – Strawberries, blueberries, and whipped topping make for a very festive fourth! You can create a flag with food or a parfait of patriotism.
IDEA – Wait for the sun to go down and get a patriotic sunset picture. It’s FREE!
IDEA – Make sparklers ten times more fun with a camera. Here is a post about how to capture the sky writing!
And I snagged a ton of other ideas from Instagram. Each of these have the source of the idea linked to the picture so be sure to give them a follow! Here are three more ideas for patriotic fun!
IDEA – Paint rocks with red white and blue. Recreate your favorite moments!
IDEA – Carve Happy 4th into a watermelon or any other patriotic saying!
IDEA – Create a rag flag with old fabric scraps and a stick with string. It’s so simple but would be a fun activity if the pool isn’t your thing!
There are so many other great ideas to celebrate the fourth! Just remember to stay safe and have fun!
Although I’ve been a reader of your blog for a long time, I’ve never felt the need to comment until now. Although you may think it’s “fun” to drape yourself in the flag, I find it disrespectful to what the flag stands for and to the military who have fought and died to protect the freedoms we as American’s enjoy. The flag is not a piece of clothing or something to “drape” around you like a cape, it’s a symbol of the United States of America. As the daughter of an Air Force Veteran and wife of a Navy Veteran, I hope you’ll take the time to read the official Flag Code for the proper use of the flag.
No one is supposed to wear an actual American flag in any way. It is considered disrespectful. Look it up. I am not referring to festive Americana apparel. Happy 4th of July.
Yikes, who brought these two ^?
Cute post!
I personally find it far more disrespectful that we have a president who is attacking those democratic institutions that our brave military heroes actually fought and died for – the free press, the judiciary, the electoral system, the FBI and intelligence community, etc. They didn’t fight for a piece of cloth, but rather what that cloth is supposed to represent. If Katie wants to wrap the flag around her adorable kids for 2 seconds, I am 100% ok with that. Considering all the things we should actually be outraged about as Americans right now, this doesn’t even register.
Happy 4th Bowers! God bless your sweet family and God bless America!
Love the idea of the kids photo with the flag, and doing it yearly. For everyone that says it’s disrespectful, I understand why, but also- its a representation of being proud of your country. If you dont like the idea then dont do it, and teach your kids and your family the way you believe. Forcing your opinion on someone else isnt going to change their actions, it’s just going to make you look angry and resentful. Get over it.
Don’t Olympians basically “wear” or drape the the flag around themselves after a win? Would you consider that disrespectful? Not trying to be snarky, genuinely curious. It seems like there are tons of photos like this around and I’ve never seen any backlash about it.
Oy, Katie. I had to cringe when I saw the first pictures on your post. The American flag is not supposed to be worn or caped. It shows disrespect.
Great ideas – except draping the flag around yourself and your children. I understand that you are trying to show your patriotism, but the American flag is not intended to be worn on clothing or draped around a body like a towel or blanket – it comes across very insensitive.
I’m not being snarky either but I understand that some will perceive it that way. Just because the pictures are cute doesn’t necessarily make them right according to the United States Flag Code.
Actually, Olympians don’t drape the flag around. They usually carry it behind them letting it wave freely. Here is a great article discussing the difference. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/stop-draping-the-flag-around-your-shoulders
THANK YOU BETHANY, exactly… its not like this is a “new” idea. It’s been around for a long time and people that are representing the country do this. Lay off Katie. Go find somewhere else to be snarky.
Sorry you seem to be so angry over my comment. I was not being “snarky”, just voicing my opinion that the flag should be respected more with the hope that Katie and her husband would teach their children that concept, which they probably do or will do as they get older. Most people don’t know that there is a “Flag Code” with guidelines on the proper way to display and treat the flag.