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For many of us, history and civics were right up there with Brussels sprouts and cleaning our rooms. But history can be fun. Really! Why not celebrate Independence Day all month? To get your family started, here are some activities you can do with your children to help them learn more about their country and the importance of being a productive citizen.

Sing or listen to patriotic music:“Yankee Doodle,” “Shenandoah,” “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin, America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. Talk to your children about the significance of the music during the era that it was composed. Older children can help with the research.

 

 

Create a simple book about what it means to be an American. Little ones could decorate pages with stickers and blue and red crayons, dictating while Mom or Dad writes down their ideas. Older kids could write a story or essay and create their own art for the book.

 

 

 

Visit the library and check out ageappropriate books about the 4th of July or the Revolutionary War to read with your children.

 

 

 

Choose a family activity to better your community: pick up litter, begin a recycling effort, conserve energy or water, buy products from local farmers and business owners, help an elderly neighbor maintain his/her yard, volunteer with a non-profit group of your choice.

 

Read and discuss patriotic poetry: “America for Me” by Henry Van Dyke, “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Our Duty to Our Flag” and “A Patriotic Wish” by Edgar Guest, “Caesar Rodney’s Ride” (traditional).

 

 

 

Hang a flag inside or outside your home. Visit the following sites and discuss the history, significance and proper treatment of the flag: www.usflag.org and www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html.

 

Write letters to soldiers to thank them for their patriotism.

 

 

 

Read and discuss the Declaration of Independence.

 

 

 

Help your child write a letter to a senator or member of Congress about an issue important to your family.

 

 

 

Help your kids create a patriotic board game using historical references. For instance, print a picture of George Washington from the internet for a space that says, “Tell a lie, go back two spaces.” Older kids can use more sophisticated references and do more of the creating on their own.