Celebrating can be expensive, can’t it? The money we spend on birthdays, graduations, weddings, and holidays can send a budget reeling! Because of that, I’ve done a little investigating to see what types of things your family could do to celebrate the 4th of July!

Here are some things I found in my hunting:

• Have a neighborhood parade. Encourage families around you to create their own floats. They can decorate wagons, bicycles, skateboards, you name it! Have someone carry or pull in a wagon a CD player with great marching music! You could make homemade instruments to "play" as you march. Hitting pots and pans with wooden spoons makes great noises! Be sure to include pets on leashes!
• Maybe not totally free – but cheap – tie dye red, white, and blue t-shirts for your whole family. You might even wear them in your parade!
• Serve red, white, and blue food all day long. Start with breakfast! Blueberry and strawberry pancakes with whipped cream, white milk, or for fun, add food coloring! Family Fun has a great website where you can get some fun food ideas!
• Go on a scavenger hunt.  Look for red, white and blue items, American flags, patriotic t-shirts, red fireworks, blue fireworks. Take pictures or use a check-off list.
• Have a water play day! This could be just for your family, or you might include the neighborhood. Include sprinklers, hoses, wading pools, water guns and balloons, etc. Not for kids only! Get in there and get wet with them!
• Decorate a 4th of July Tree with red, white, and blue streamers and ornaments.
• Locate someone in your area who is either presently serving in the military or has served in the past. Let your kids help you make cookies to take to their home or maybe decorate their home to thank them for serving our country.
• Of course, there’s always the hometown concert and fireworks! Always a favorite!

Whatever you do, be sure to share with your kids what we’re celebrating as a country. Help them to know how much God has blessed you and your family and the ultimate freedom we have in Christ!

If you’ve got other great "free or almost free" ideas to share, please do!  We’d love to celebrate with you!