Fun 4th of July Crafts

They can also be modified for making crafts for the elderly. Anything using glass, for instance, could be swapped for a quality plastic item. Many of these items can be found at thrift stores too. Or have your group, or employees, volunteers, etc., bring in things from home that they no longer need.

Sometimes we like to use acrylic paints, 3-D (“puffy”) paints, sponges, and stencils to make things super-easy. But you can use your imagination and skills to add details or a look of your own. The instructions here are just general ideas and guidelines for our 4th of July crafts.

This candle painting project can be done either on a wide pillar candle, as shown, or on a more narrow taper candle.

Supplies:
Pillar candle (a battery, flameless style works too!)
Acrylic paint – red, white, blue
3-D craft paint – I used white
Paint brushes
Water container and rag
Star stencils of different sizes
Candle holder for base
Styro or grapevine style craft candle ring
Artificial flowers for around base
Strong glue (if gluing flowers)
Or florist wire
Ribbon for base

Instructions:
Very easy! Simply first clean the candle with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris. I first painted on the squiggly lines, free-form style, with white 3-D paint. Make sure these are far enough down from the top of the candle for burning. I have found though that the candles burn an indentation into the center of the candle, so the outer squiggles do not actually “burn.” (Of course, this is not an issue if you are using a flameless candle).

The tall candle on the left is made much the same way and is set in an old blue bottle as a candle holder; again, surrounded by red, white and blue artificial flowers.


Hand-Painted Wine Glasses

Supplies:
Wine glasses
Glass paint from craft store - red, white and blue
Acrylic 3-D paint; I used red and white
Polyurethane varnish for glass paint
Paint brushes, wide and narrow
Small sponge for painting, if desiredWater container, rag

Instructions:
If you are going to be drinking out of your wine glasses, always begin the design at least one inch from the top so your mouth will not touch the paint.
For the clear glass, first paint on a wide blue stripe either with a piece of sponge, or wide brush. Dry. I next added the stars using stencils, but you can certainly paint some free-hand instead. They are placed in a sort of arch pattern, with one large star at the lower left.

For the blue glass, I just made stars of different colors, using stencils. In both cases, I put a few small stars on the stems and base. Avoid putting paint where fingers will hold the glass, as the paint can wear off.

If you are using actual glass instead of plastic, then after applying the paint, the item must be baked according to instructions on the bottles to set the paint. Then another layer can be added, if desired. You should carefully follow the directions on your paint bottles. If you are using plastic, you would not be baking the item. The squiggles were made last with regular acrylic 3-D paint (I did not use glass paint for these) and it does not need to be baked again. Finally, apply a couple coats of polyurethane varnish for glass paint, to strengthen it. Use these fun 4th of July crafts for drinking or centerpieces.
Be sure to hand wash only; they are not dishwasher safe.

If you’ve made yourself a nice set of hand-painted wine glasses, here’s another one of our 4th of July crafts to go with it – wine glass charms. Very easy to make. Get some fancy narrow elastic from a fabric or bead store, string on some red, white a blue beads (a star is always fun too). Put on as many as you’d like. I also applied a dab of acrylic paint on each of the ends to keep them from raveling, and for added decoration. Tie the elastic so the circle can stretch around the bottom of the wine glass and slide on, yet is not too loose to fall off. Glass painting can also be done on tumbler-sized glassware, and the charms would be adjusted in size to match.

And don’t forget add little patriotic treat to your 4th of July crafts and activities. These white chocolate covered strawberries are simple to make. (You could use giant pretzel sticks too, with red and blue sprinkles). After dipping a strawberry in the chocolate, simple sprinkle them with candies and add a blueberry (or blue candy). Any combination of red and blue sprinkles, plus either color of candy as a topper (if you don't want a blueberry), works well. And if you don't want to fuss with melting chocolate, try a dollop of whipped cream, or even frosting on top instead.

See full instructions on how to make chocolate covered strawberries at this link.

Painting on clay pots make great 4th of July crafts, and are also very easy to do. For this sample, I put a red, white and blue flower arrangement in the top, and although you don’t see it in the photo, there is also a little flag. This sample is again made with acrylic paints and stencils. (Or you can draw the stars free-hand yourself). A loose stripes and stars theme was used. These pots also look great when painted with bright red or blue paint, instead of white.

Go to this link for full instructions on painting clay pots.


Patriotic Apple Wreath

Making 4th of July crafts from apple wreaths is a good old traditional project. The easiest way is to use dried apple slices from the store – unless you like to dehydrate them yourself, which is another fun activity in and of itself. See the full instructions about how to make these on our Apple Wreaths page, and then just use a red, white and blue bow. Plus add a few artificial flowers by wiring them into the arrangement with florist wire, which you can get at the craft store.

It’s really easy to make this patriotic picture frame, one of our easy 4th of July crafts. And you can use any size. They’re great to give as gifts too. Put in your favorite photo, especially someone you may like to memorialize. They have also been used to display special pictures in memorial services. Photos of veterans look especially nice in these frames. It’s also perfect to use any time, besides the 4th of July and Memorial day. We again used standard acrylics and 3-D paints. Stencils could be used too, for the stars. See the full instructions at crafts for the elderly.

These 4th of July crafts can be used in all sorts of ways, included to hang in windows, from light pulls and chandeliers, on the door, or from the ceiling. Ornaments are not just for a holiday trees! You can make several, they’re so easy (perhaps of different sizes). They hang them at different levels. These would look great in clusters from the ceiling at a party. Find the plastic ornament shapes at craft or thrift stores. For full instructions, you can again find this on our page at crafts for the elderly.

We have lots of great ideas in our craft book, and many can be changed out to suit any holiday or theme – just use your imagination. See more about our book at: Easy Gifts You Can Make.

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