Red, white, and blue…plus fireworks, too! Get ready to use this patriotic preschool theme to celebrate the beautiful USA.
Here you’ll find book ideas, art and craft activities, along with literacy, math, and social-emotional learning fun! You’ll also find the whole list of ideas at the end of this post in a free download of preschool lesson plans.
Free Fourth of July Lesson Plans and Activities
Independence Day is a special time of the year, and definitely cause for celebration! It’s the perfect time to learn about the American flag, discover the beauty and wonder of fireworks, and enjoy family time with activities like parades and barbecues.
Preschoolers love the excitement of this time of year, and it’s so fun to incorporate hands-on learning with fun sensory activities!
FAQ About a Fourth of July Preschool Theme
You may have a few questions about teaching a Fourth of July preschool theme, especially since it’s a little abstract compared to more popular preschool themes. Check out these frequently asked questions for how to teach your preschoolers about the Fourth of July.
Begin teaching preschoolers about Independence Day by learning about the American flag. Identify the colors, count the stripes, and even count how many stars…50, wow! Sing patriotic songs like Yankee Doodle Dandee and the National Anthem, talk about different ways that people celebrate the holiday, and read Independence Day books. Feel free to enjoy a picnic with lemonade and watermelon, too!
Host your very own parade and family picnic! Invite everyone to wear red, white, and blue, and wave a flag proudly. Play patriotic music and make firework paper crafts for all to enjoy. Turn your dramatic play center into a jewelry station and make necklaces and bracelets of red, white, and blue! Make sure to have a Fourth of July sensory bin, too.
Show students a map of the United States. Point out where they live on the map and share the city and state. Allow children to ask questions about the map. Ask children if they have family that lives in a different state, then help them find that location on the map. Encourage children to share what they love about where they live and draw a picture of their home and family.
Hands-On Preschool Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
Learning about the Fourth of July is such a blast…literally! Here are some great hands-on activities to keep with your Fourth of July lesson plans.
Literacy Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
USA Flag with Star Names – Celebrate our flag with this fun activity! Cut out strips of red, white, and blue paper and glue them onto a blank piece of paper to resemble the stripes on the flag. Cut out some paper stars–one for each letter of your preschooler’s name–and assist your preschooler in writing a letter on each star. Mix up the stars and invite your preschooler to glue them in order on their flag. Glue the flag to a popsicle stick and wave it proudly at your holiday celebration!
F is for Flag – Go to YouTube and listen to the book The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wings. After listening, work together to create a poster of all the ways that your family will celebrate the Fourth of July. Will you watch/participate in a parade? Make holiday treats? Or enjoy fireworks after dark?
Don’t Forget Picture Books!
One of the best ways to teach preschoolers about any theme is by hand-selecting the highest quality picture books! This is a book list for our most-loved picture books for a Fourth of July theme.
Math and Science Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
Count the Sparks – Practice counting with this Fourth of July math game. After twisting multiple red and blue pipe cleaners together to make fireworks, set them aside. Write different numbers on a large poster board. Now count and match, or dip the fireworks into paint and make your own colorful counting firework display!
Fourth of July Bracelets – This fun hands-on activity is great for counting, patterning, and working on those fine motor skills! Grab some red, white, and blue beads and pipe cleaners and let the fun begin! Make patriotic jewelry and count along.
Fireworks in a Jar Experiment – Mix oil and food coloring together in a shallow dish then add to a clear jar filled with water. Watch the water fireworks explode! Encourage your preschooler to ask questions and repeat the experiment in a different order. Try adding the food coloring right to the water; did anything different happen?
Playful Learning Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
Red, White, and Blue Marble Art – Tape a piece of paper to the inside of a box. Add some dollops of red and blue paint, then drop in a marble. Tip the box to make the marble roll around and be amazed at the artwork created. It will look like fireworks!
Draw a Treasure Map – Draw a treasure map and have an indoor treasure hunt! Tape a final spot with an X on the floor and draw a simple treasure map that contains clues to find the objects.
Making Fireworks Loose Parts – This is a simple activity. Offer your preschoolers a sheet of black construction paper (for the night sky) and some “loose parts” like q-tips and straws. Invite your preschooler to cut them and arrange them into fireworks. After it’s dry, feel free to use watercolor or tempera paints to make a colorful presentation!
Social-Emotional Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
What Does it Mean to be an American? – Go to YouTube and read What Does it Mean to be an American? by Rana DiOrio. After reading, discuss what our jobs are as Americans. How can a preschooler be a good citizen/good American? Help your preschooler come up with a list of things they can do to show that they can be truly patriotic on this Fourth of July. Consider adding a new tradition – a “Patriotic Parade” around your neighborhood or community, doing random acts of kindness for others, or choosing to make someone’s life a little easier.
F is for Flag – Our flag is a symbol of pride for the people of the United States. The stars and stripes represent our nation’s history. Encourage your preschooler to create a flag that represents their history and unique traits. Using a piece of paper, markers, glue, and any other materials available, invite your preschooler to decorate an All About Me flag that spotlights their favorite things, shares information about themselves (siblings, pets, family members, etc.), and is unique and interesting. Be proud of who you are!
Just Plain Fun Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
Fourth of July Music Shaker – With just some dried noodles, paper plates, and some colorful paper, these festive musical shakers are great for celebrating and partying with! Place the dried noodles inside a folded paper plate and add colorful stars and stripes.
Fourth of July Sensory Bin – Color some dried rice and make an interesting bin full of all things red, white, and blue. Add in tweezers, spoons, or measuring cups to make it hands-on and full of fun.
Fourth of July Scavenger Hunt – Go on an entertaining scavenger hunt around the neighborhood or town to get you excited for all the festivities!
Get Online Activities for a Fourth of July Theme
Online Story – Go to YouTube and listen to the story F is for Flag by Wendy Cheyette Lewison. After listening, answer any questions your preschooler might have about our nation and its symbols. What makes your preschooler proud to be an American? Use this story to add on to the social-emotional component listed above.
“America to Me” Song – Join Jack Hartmann and kids from around the country in celebrating our country with this song!
Boom Go the Fireworks – Listen along with Benjamin Bear as he shows off his patriotic pride and enjoys the fireworks display.
Red, White, and Boom Story – Enjoy and read along with this patriotic story that shows lots of ways we can celebrate Independence Day, whether at the park, beach, or a parade!
Get Your Free Fourth of July Lesson Plans Here
Want to include these Fourth of July activities in your lesson plans? Ready to grab your free printable lesson plans with all these awesome Independence Day theme activities for preschoolers?!
I’ve made a printable for you. Just fill out the form below and it will be sent to your inbox. Hope you love it!
Try these Fourth of July Items in your Preschool
The Fourth of July is a fun preschool theme when you have the right materials. Here are some of our favorite preschool materials for the theme.
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
