For families, the mid-summer holiday of the Fourth of July is fun and we all look forward to this break.

This year, due to the lack of rain and a statewide ban on personal use or sell of fireworks, some local area fireworks shows have been canceled. Look in your newspaper for the latest schedule. (Editor’s Note: See the schedule inside the summer edition of Seniors Today, inside today’s newspaper.)

But don’t let the lack of firework shows “rain” on your family’s celebration of the Fourth. Turn the sparkle of the holiday toward home fun!

As we know, babies, toddlers and most preschoolers truly benefit by staying in a routine and predictable schedule. It makes the holiday more pleasant for young children and their parents. So staying at home won’t disturb this age group.

As for other age groups, mixing it up with various activities is sure to help things, particularly if you can’t attend a fireworks display.

As an early-childhood teacher, I wanted to make a few suggestions that I know you and your family will enjoy doing at home in celebrating the Fourth!

As you plan activities, snacks and meals, think along the lines of red, white and blue!

• Pick up red, white and blue crepe paper. (Crepe paper rolls are inexpensive.) Cut off about foot-long strings of crepe paper in these colors. Young hands love to wave the colors as you march around the house or yard.
• You and your child can decorate the mailbox outside your home and inside your home. (Small flags are inexpensive.) Even though young children usually cannot sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” they can get familiar with the tune as you point out different parts of the flag.
• Jello is such a favorite food for young children. Having your young child help you to mix up red and blue Jello is so much fun for her and she can learn some new skills on measuring and color. Jello Jigglers are a favorite too!
• There are many yummy fruits that proudly display the Fourth of July theme! Watermelon is a tradition in a July 4 celebration. Strawberries and blueberries can come together to top off a patriotic cupcake.
• Put a little red and blue food coloring in the water in the ice cube tray. The children will love to have Fourth of July ice cubes chilling down their favorite drinks.

Happy Fourth!

Beth Pinyerd lives in Daphne and serves as director of younger children at Faith Family Fellowship in Spanish Fort.

Her column appears regularly in The Bulletin.