Share this craft with your kids for a safe and fun 4th of July
Sparklers and fireworks are amazing to watch, especially when you’re a kid, but they are far from safe as a plaything. Your kiddos can create a rocket they can play with all day long with this simple 4th of July craft. This is a pretty easy 4th of July craft, one that you likely have everything on hand for. The only real must haves are empty toilet paper rolls, colored paper, scissors and glue. If you want to get fancy, you can use hole punches to create extra decorations for your rockets.
Create the colorful strips
Start by cutting 3 inch strips of colored paper. Each rocket requires 4 strips, so keep that in mind when choosing your colors. I went with red, white and blue for a patriotic look (since this is a 4th of July craft), but you could let your little ones pick their own colors. Cut a fringe into each strip, about 2 inches deep. Roll the fringe pieces around a pencil or pen to curl them up. It adds a lot of texture to your rocket.
Build the rocket body
Starting with the bottom row, add the layers one at a time, using a little glue. You can add your strips in any color order you want, but in my opinion, alternating light and dark colors gives you the best look. You could use yellow or orange at the bottom to give your 4th of July craft a “fiery” look!
Create the rocket's top
For the rocket’s top, cut a 4" circle in the color of your choice. Cut a slit from the edge to the center of the circle. Using glue to hold it in place, overlap the edges of the circle to create a cone shape. A thin bead of glue around the top of the toilet paper tube is all you need to secure the top of your rocket. I suggest holding it in place for a few seconds to let the glue get tacky before flipping your rocket right side up.
Add a handle
Once dry, you can add a Popsicle or craft stick to the inside of the bottom of the toilet paper roll to create a handle for your rocket. Now your kids have a cute 4th of July craft that they can play with inside or out, and you don’t have to worry about anyone playing with fire! My little guy had a great time playing outside with his rocket this afternoon!
Do you have big plans for July 4th? We’re heading to the mountains to enjoy summer sun and all the beauty of nature, but of course we’ll catch a fireworks show too!
Remember to prioritize safety during your Independence Day celebrations and engage in fun crafts like this one to keep the festivities enjoyable for everyone.