Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by Masha Eretnova
Looking for fun, affordable, and engaging 4th of July crafts to spend time with your toddler?
These patriotic projects are best for 1 to 3-year-olds and will keep their hands busy!
Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering or just want a creative afternoon at home, these crafts provide a perfect blend of fun and developmental benefits without turning the whole house into messy playground.
See also: 20 Memorial Day Crafts For Kids
Q-Tip Painted Firework Craft
This Q-tip painted fireworks craft uses black paper and bright paint to create bold, colorful bursts. Toddlers and young kids dip cotton swabs into paint and stamp out firework shapes, which makes it easy for even little hands.
It’s great for toddlers and preschoolers, helping them work on fine motor skills while having fun.
Get the tutorial: Q-Tip Painted Firework Craft
Torn Paper American Flag Craft
Tear and glue your way to a toddler-friendly American flag with this torn paper craft. Kids use strips of red, white, and blue paper to fill in a flag outline, giving it a handmade, textured feel.
Great for toddlers and early kindergarten.
Get the tutorial: Torn Paper American Flag Craft
Fireworks Craft for Kids
This simple fireworks craft uses just colored torn paper. Kids can finish it with sparkle and make it at home or classroom.
Best for preschoolers to early grade schoolers, it’s a fun way to celebrate the 4th of July.
Get the tutorial: Fireworks Craft for Kids
Patriotic Paper Plate Craft
This patriotic paper plate craft turns basic supplies into a fun red, white, and blue decoration. Kids upcycle a paper plate, color cut-out stars in flag-inspired colors, and arrange these stars around the plate – it is that easy!
It’s a great fit for toddlers to elementary kids, helping with color recognition and fine motor skills.
Get the tutorial: Patriotic Paper Plate Craft
Firework Art Activity
This nature-based paintbrush craft lets kids make their own brushes using twigs and natural materials like grass, leaves, and flowers. Once assembled with string or elastic bands, kids can dip their custom brushes into paint for a sensory-rich art experience.
Great for kids of all ages.
Get the tutorial: Firework Art Activity
Handprint American Flag 4th of July Craft
Here’s a creative way to celebrate the Fourth of July with this handprint American flag craft. Kids paint their hands to form the blue field and red stripes, then stamp them onto paper to make a flag-like design.
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, it’s a great keepsake and helps teach flag colors and patterns.
Get the tutorial: Handprint American Flag 4th of July Craft
4th of July Craft – Noisemaker
Make some noise with this DIY 4th of July noisemaker using paper plates, beans, and paint. Low-cost fun craft kids will love!
Great for toddlers and young kids, it’s an easy sensory craft.
Get the tutorial: 4th of July Craft – Noisemaker
Fork Painted Firework Craft
This fork-painted fireworks craft uses red, blue, and green paint with a plastic fork to stamp out firework bursts on black paper. The fork creates streaky patterns that mimic real fireworks exploding.
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, it’s a mess-free way to explore art and holiday excitement without learning brush skills.
Get the tutorial: Fork Painted Firework Craft
Patriotic Firework Handprint Craft
This handprint firework craft starts with a painted handprint, then adds glittery lines radiating outward to mimic an exploding firework. Kids can use red, white, and blue paint along with sequins or stars for added sparkle.
Great for young kids, it’s a keepsake-style craft that blends art and patriotic celebration.
Get the tutorial: Patriotic Firework Handprint Craft
Pineapple Stamping Fireworks Craft – Preschool
Using real pineapple tops, kids stamp fireworks onto paper with red and blue paint. The natural shape creates starburst patterns, and each print is unique.
Ideal for preschoolers, it’s a sensory-friendly painting activity.
Get the tutorial: Pineapple Stamping Fireworks Craft – Preschool
4th of July Window Clings
These 4th of July window clings are made by tracing shapes onto plastic with school glue, then coloring with markers and adding glitter. Once dry, the clings peel off and stick to glass.
Best for older kids, it’s a fun way to make reusable window decor.
Get the tutorial: 4th of July Window Clings
Shaving Cream Fireworks
Shaving cream and food coloring create a marbled firework effect in this sensory painting craft. Kids swirl colors into the shaving cream, press paper onto it, and scrape off to reveal vibrant designs.
Perfect for preschoolers and up.
Get the tutorial: Shaving Cream Fireworks
Toilet Paper Roll Firework Craft
This Patriotic Craft for Kids uses toilet paper rolls and paint to create festive firework art. With bright red, white, and blue colors, kids can stamp unique bursts onto paper, mimicking real fireworks in the night sky.
It’s an almost mess-free way to celebrate patriotic holidays while improving fine motor skills.
Get the tutorial: Toilet Paper Roll Firework Craft
Masha Eretnova, born in 1991, is a Buenos Aires-based certified teacher, artist, and member of the Professional Artist Association with 20+ years of personal painting journey.
She started painting and drawing very early and is now an international abstract artist and educator passionate about acrylic painting, gouache, and crafts.
Her works are part of international exhibitions and contests, including ArtlyMix (Brazil), Al-Tiba 9 (Spain), Exhibizone (Canada), Italy, and many more.
Besides her artistic pursuits, Masha holds a post-grad diploma in Teaching Film Photography and 2 music school diplomas: piano and opera singing.