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Fourth of July
1. Whip up some patriotic pancakes. Start your celebration off with a batch of glorious red, white, and blue pancakes. Follow this Betty Crocker recipe to make red and blue pancakes layered with whipped cream and topped with blueberries and strawberries.
2. Set up backyard games. Get the kids outside and play some fun games to celebrate the Fourth. Try a round of water balloon Wiffle ball with red, white, and blue water balloons subbing in for the balls. You can also set up carnival games like Nerf Gun Targets, where you knock down stacks of plastic cups, ring toss, or beanbag toss. Lowe's has a list of 12 games you can make right now for backyard fun.
3. Make homemade ice cream. Break out the ice cream maker and treat your kids to homemade ice cream. You just need four ingredients—and a little patience—to make a frosty treat.
4. Visit the world's best ice cream shop. Last year, Ted Drewes won the title of Best Ice Cream Shop in the World, but we already knew that. Take the kids down to Chippewa Street for a custom-made concrete that's second to none.
5. Get crafty. Show your USA pride with fun Fourth of July crafts for any age. You can make popsicle stick American flags; necklaces from red, white and blue straws; star-spangled slime; or confetti launchers to celebrate the day.
6. Watch a parade. Continue a great American tradition and find a Fourth of July parade near you. There will be community parades on the Fourth in Frontier Park, Wentzville, and all through Webster Groves—while the grand daddy of all parades, the 135th Veiled Prophet Parade, will march down Market Street on July 1. If you want to get in on the action, Godfrey, Illinois is hosting a DIY bike decorating parade for kids ages 5–11, but you have to register by June 30 to enter.
7. Celebrate with a festival. Fourth of July is a huge day for fairs and carnivals, so you won't have to drive far to get your cotton candy fix. Fair St. Louis is camped out in Forest Park, but there's also Riverfest in St. Charles, Webster Groves Community Days, Ellisville's Independence Day Celebration, and Wentzville's Liberty Fest. If you're more into music, head over to Jefferson Barracks Park on July 1 for the JB Blast featuring the Air Force Band.
