4th of July Paper Plate Shakers
Preschool crafts for 4th of July are such a fun way to celebrate! In this simple music shaker craft, preschoolers will love decorating and shaking along to patriotic tunes, especially if you bring it along to a parade! It’s perfect for tiny hands, encouraging creativity and fine motor skills.
You’ll fall in love with watching children proudly make noise and wave flags as they learn about this special holiday. We love making our own patriotic crafts. This patriotic preschool music shaker is one of our favorite 4th of July kid crafts!
Music….it’s good for the soul and the brain as well as overall development! Music soothes, connects, heals, and is one of the things that sets humanity apart from other species. Music can break down cultural barriers and connect people, in spite of differences.
So, get ready for a bright, sparkly Independence Day shaker craft that’s easy and engaging! All you need is a paper plate, some craft paper, and other common materials you already have on hand.
This craft not only keeps little hands busy, but also sets the stage for a lively musical celebration, and it’s super easy to tweak for all ages and skill levels. Use it in the classroom for a little parade around the school yard, or have your preschoolers break them out under the fireworks display with their families.
Read this: Low Prep 4th of July Printables for Preschoolers
What Kids Learn from This Activity
This 4th of July music shaker craft supports a variety of foundational skills in preschoolers.
SKILL #1: Fine Motor Development
This paper plate craft is loaded with fine motor skill development! Placing stickers, cutting ribbons, and filling containers all require careful hand movements. These actions support the development of the small muscles in children’s hands and fingers.
SKILL #2: Creativity and Artistic Expression
Decorating their own shakers gives kids the chance to make fun choices and show off their personalities with colors, shapes, and designs that are all their own. Now, we did. make these for the 4th of July, so I show my preschoolers how to make a flag with construction paper, but really, it’s up to them.
SKILL #3: Early Music and Rhythm Skills
As children shake their instruments, they explore different sounds and rhythms, cause and effect. They learn to control volume by changing the way they shake the container, and this kind of musical exploration builds listening skills, plus it’s super fun!
4th of July Music Shaker Craft
As usual, I tried to keep this activity as ‘kid made’ as possible (as you can tell from the uneven lines and the crooked stars!) because that’s the aim of any of our crafts. While it’s easy to step in and do things for them, we want them to do as much as they can themselves.
Materials
- Paper Plates
- Red Paper
- Blue Paper
- White Stars – we cut our own out but you could always use white star stickers if you prefer
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pasta (we used Penne but any larger pasta works well – try to avoid macaroni as it falls out easily)
- Stapler
How to Make a 4th of July Music Shaker Craft
With just a few basic steps, you will have these diy music shakers ready to roll for those picnics and fireworks celebrations! It’s an easy craft that your kids will love! And, a kid friendly art project to show their pride in the red, white and blue!
Step 1: Cut the Starts and Stripes
You will need to start by cutting out some stars (if you’re not using stickers) and having your child cut some strips of red paper (assist them if needed). Cut out a rectangle shape from the blue paper, as shown in the picture below.
Next, fold the paper plate in half.
Step 2: Assemble the Craft
Glue the blue rectangle to the top right of the plate.
Glue on the stars.
Have your child glue on the red strips of paper. It’s fine if they go over the edge of the plate as you can cut them off afterwards.
Staple around the edge of the plate, leaving a small gap so that you can fill it with pasta.
Fill the plate with pasta and staple up the open gap.
Enjoy your shaker!
Read this: 4th of July Small Pack
4th of July Crafts for Preschoolers
Looking for more paper plate shaker crafts? Check out this collection.
- Firework Themed 4th of July Process Art
- Patriotic Star Wand
- 4th of July Noise Maker Craft
- Washi Star 4th of July Craft
- Bald Eagle Popsicle Stick Craft
- Red, White, and Blue Fan Craft
- 4th of July Star Suncatchers
- 4th of July Paper Lantern Craft
- Independence Day Handprint Craft
- Patriotic Friendship Rocks
- 4th of July Paper Plate Crowns
Have fun making your July 4th music shaker – I’m sure it will be a fun addition to all your patriotic 4th of July crafts for kids! From paper plate shakers to egg shakers, we just LOVE homemade shaker activities for kids!
Oh, and do I need to mention that these would be fantastic for a parade?!? Who doesn’t want a parade of children with music shakers marching through the house or preschool? Personally, I love the idea! Have a safe and musical Fourth of July!
FAQ About Teaching 4th of July to Preschoolers
Simply put, the Fourth of July is the United States’s birthday. We celebrate becoming a free nation on July 4th. But a 4th of July celebration may not look like other birthday parties preschooler have attended.
Here are some common 4th of July traditions preschoolers might be familiar with:
~ backyard barbecues
~ wearing red, white and blue
~ parades
~ pie baking contests
~ waving mini flags
~ fireworks
Like all thematic lesson plans for preschoolers, Independence Day lesson plans should include a balance of math and literacy activities, crafts and sensory activities.
Try this 4th of July craft that is a music shaker, and this stars and stripes 4th of July sensory bin. Or, make this famous playdough recipe in red, white and blue and set up a playdough invitation to play.
There are so many fun ways to celebrate the 4th of July with kids, even preschoolers and toddlers. This flag mosaic is beautiful and can be a team art project. Make some pastel star art to hang up for a party, or make some safe fireworks in a jar.
I’m Carol, an Australian Teacher and the Mum of 2 toddlers who have LOTS of energy. I spend my days finding simple and fun activities to keep them both busy and love sharing our crafts and activities with you. I believe that toddler activities don’t have to be expensive, and that simple activities can provide great learning opportunities for young minds.
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