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Celebrate the 4th of July with Creative Family Activities and Delicious Treats
The 4th of July is a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. However, keeping these gatherings fun, creative, and fulfilling while staying on a budget can be a challenge. Many of my own summer days have been filled with tie-dying T-shirts, tossing water balloons with the kids, swimming, hiking, and camping. Our family foods have included a classic creation of S’mores around a campfire, after enjoying a fire roasted hot dog, or at times sinking our teeth into a delicious steak. While these activities and foods are traditional for others, they can come with a cost that is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Despite this, games and good food are an integral part of the holiday experience, and how to be creative is more important than ever.
Creative Family Activities
Thinking up new family fun activities that engage all ages can sometimes be daunting. Here are a few ideas to consider that are both creative and budget-friendly:
Patriotic Pebble Art
Materials Needed: Smooth pebbles or rocks (collected from local beaches), Acrylic paints (red, white, blue) and Paintbrushes.
Instructions:
- Take a family trip to the beach and collect smooth, flat pebbles.
- Wash and dry the pebbles at home.
- Paint the pebbles with patriotic designs such as stars, stripes, and flags.
- Let the paint dry and share with family, trade them, play hide and seek, make a checker board game, balance games by stacking them, or simply keep them as memorabilia.
Nature-Inspired Fireworks Art
Materials Needed:Black construction paper,White glue, Salt, Watercolors or liquid watercolors, Paintbrushes
Instructions:
- Use white glue to draw fireworks shapes on black construction paper.
- Sprinkle salt over the glue while it’s still wet and shake off the excess.
- Let the glue and salt dry completely.
- Use watercolors to paint over the salt. The colors will spread and create a fireworks effect.
Shell Mosaic Flags
Materials Needed: Seashells, Cardboard or wood boards, Glue, Acrylic paints (red, white, blue), Paintbrushes
Instructions:
- Collect a variety of shells from the beach.
- Arrange the shells on the cardboard or wood board in the shape of a flag or other designs.
- Glue the shells in place and let them dry.
- Paint the shells, use different designs, dots, or textures.
Plant Prints on Paper
Materials Needed; Clipped plant leaves, flowers, and stems, plain paper, string, large bowl or bucket, twine or string, brick or heavy rock, and hot water. *Adult supervision required.
Instructions:
- Collect a variety of natural leaves, flowers, and stems
- Place objects on paper in a small arrangement, and layer with paper.
- Repeat the layers, using paper, and natural objects stacking them on top of each other.
- Take twine and wrap around the paper, tying it tightly so the leaves and flowers will not slip out.
- Place stacks of paper into a bucket or bowl, weigh this down with heavy rock or brick and carefully pour hot water (preferably boiling) over the paper and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Remove from water, and unstack the paper. Hang and dry the prints, and enjoy the natural dye from the found objects.
Colorful Tee Shirt Hugs
Materials Needed: White tee shirts, Acrylic paint or fabric paint (non-toxic)
Instructions:
- Have each family member, and friends wear a white tee shirt.
- Cover arms and hands in paint, using paint brushes, or simply rubbing onto arms and hands.
- Hug each other, leaving paint prints on the tee shirts.
- Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Easy clean-up, with water and soap.
Not only is the art that created wearable art,it has an additional benefit because it is known that hugging someone for at least 20 seconds can increase happy feelings and promote an improvement in relationships and overall mood.
Delicious and Healthy 4th of July Treats
Coming up with delicious and healthy meals is also a challenge, and does not need to be. Concord has a weekly farmers market on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12 noon where you can gather many of these goodies mentioned below all in one spot. Here are a few snack and food ideas to consider this holiday season:
Fresh Fruit Delights
New Hampshire has many amazing pick-your-own farms with an abundance of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. These fruits are delicious on their own and can be easily tossed on top of some locally sourced Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey to sweeten the treat. Abbott Hill Creamery has an amazing yogurt every Saturday at the market!
Homemade Popsicles
Another great treat is making your very own popsicles from the pureed fruit. Here’s a simple recipe for strawberry ice pops:
Strawberry Ice Pops Recipe:
2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Blend the strawberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid.
Campfire Banana S’mores
An old favorite of mine is taking the S’mores ingredients and placing them in a slightly peeled banana, stuffing it with chocolate and marshmallows. I slice the banana lengthwise, and leave the skin on. Place the chocolate chips or pieces into the sliced part of the banana with marshmallows, and even graham crackers, then wrap it in foil and let it roast in the coals of the fire. If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it—it really is a delicious treat to eat right out of the banana boat skin with a spoon. Okay, the market might not have bananas, but I had to include this one because it is truly a yummy twist on the classic s’mores.
Grilled Skewers
For those looking for something more savory, let's not forget about grilling. How about grabbing some amazing locally grown onions and peppers, skewering them with pieces of chicken,beef or Bison, marinating in your favorite seasoning, and grilling until done to your liking? The best part is that when things are skewered, it becomes a meal on a stick and cleanup is a breeze. Marsh Meadow Bison, Hop N Hen Farm, Miles Smith Farm, and many many more are at the market with unsurpassed quality at any local grocery store.. Here is a go-to recipe of mine for marinating meats and veggies;
Marinade Ingredients;
½ cup Brown sugar
¼ cup Soy Sauce
¼ cup Rice Vinegar
¼ cup Sunflower oil (Sunfox Farm in NH has the best!)
4 cloves smashed garlic
Join Us at Capital Art Therapy LLC
Wanting more structure to access your creative side? At Capital Art Therapy LLC, we’re passionate about helping our community discover the joys of art. This summer we are offering a variety of affordable classes for youth ages 6 to 15 with Margaux Thibeault an art educator, to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster a sense of community. She will provide guidance and support to help participants on their creative journey.
This summer, we hope you can take advantage of one of the art classes and gain a boost in confidence and foster a deeper sense of well-being. To learn more about our classes, visit our website at capitalarttherapy.com or follow us and sign up at eventbrite.com.
Written by Susan Riedl
Susan is the owner of Capital Art Therapy LLC and is an artist, art educator, and art therapist in private practice and resides with her husband, and dog Nova in Concord NH. She can be seen making street chalk drawings on Saturday mornings during the Concord Farmers Market located on state street next to the Capital.
Images
Additional Info
Related Links : https://capitalarttherapy.com/
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Celebrate the 4th of July with Creative Family Activities and Delicious Treats
The 4th of July is a fantastic opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. However, keeping these gatherings fun, creative, and fulfilling while staying on a budget can be a challenge. Many of my own summer days have been filled with tie-dying T-shirts, tossing water balloons with the kids, swimming, hiking, and camping. Our family foods have included a classic creation of S’mores around a campfire, after enjoying a fire roasted hot dog, or at times sinking our teeth into a delicious steak. While these activities and foods are traditional for others, they can come with a cost that is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Despite this, games and good food are an integral part of the holiday experience, and how to be creative is more important than ever.
Creative Family Activities
Thinking up new family fun activities that engage all ages can sometimes be daunting. Here are a few ideas to consider that are both creative and budget-friendly:
Patriotic Pebble Art
Materials Needed: Smooth pebbles or rocks (collected from local beaches), Acrylic paints (red, white, blue) and Paintbrushes.
Instructions:
- Take a family trip to the beach and collect smooth, flat pebbles.
- Wash and dry the pebbles at home.
- Paint the pebbles with patriotic designs such as stars, stripes, and flags.
- Let the paint dry and share with family, trade them, play hide and seek, make a checker board game, balance games by stacking them, or simply keep them as memorabilia.
Nature-Inspired Fireworks Art
Materials Needed:Black construction paper,White glue, Salt, Watercolors or liquid watercolors, Paintbrushes
Instructions:
- Use white glue to draw fireworks shapes on black construction paper.
- Sprinkle salt over the glue while it’s still wet and shake off the excess.
- Let the glue and salt dry completely.
- Use watercolors to paint over the salt. The colors will spread and create a fireworks effect.
Shell Mosaic Flags
Materials Needed: Seashells, Cardboard or wood boards, Glue, Acrylic paints (red, white, blue), Paintbrushes
Instructions:
- Collect a variety of shells from the beach.
- Arrange the shells on the cardboard or wood board in the shape of a flag or other designs.
- Glue the shells in place and let them dry.
- Paint the shells, use different designs, dots, or textures.
Plant Prints on Paper
Materials Needed; Clipped plant leaves, flowers, and stems, plain paper, string, large bowl or bucket, twine or string, brick or heavy rock, and hot water. *Adult supervision required.
Instructions:
- Collect a variety of natural leaves, flowers, and stems
- Place objects on paper in a small arrangement, and layer with paper.
- Repeat the layers, using paper, and natural objects stacking them on top of each other.
- Take twine and wrap around the paper, tying it tightly so the leaves and flowers will not slip out.
- Place stacks of paper into a bucket or bowl, weigh this down with heavy rock or brick and carefully pour hot water (preferably boiling) over the paper and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Remove from water, and unstack the paper. Hang and dry the prints, and enjoy the natural dye from the found objects.
Colorful Tee Shirt Hugs
Materials Needed: White tee shirts, Acrylic paint or fabric paint (non-toxic)
Instructions:
- Have each family member, and friends wear a white tee shirt.
- Cover arms and hands in paint, using paint brushes, or simply rubbing onto arms and hands.
- Hug each other, leaving paint prints on the tee shirts.
- Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Easy clean-up, with water and soap.
Not only is the art that created wearable art,it has an additional benefit because it is known that hugging someone for at least 20 seconds can increase happy feelings and promote an improvement in relationships and overall mood.
Delicious and Healthy 4th of July Treats
Coming up with delicious and healthy meals is also a challenge, and does not need to be. Concord has a weekly farmers market on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12 noon where you can gather many of these goodies mentioned below all in one spot. Here are a few snack and food ideas to consider this holiday season:
Fresh Fruit Delights
New Hampshire has many amazing pick-your-own farms with an abundance of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. These fruits are delicious on their own and can be easily tossed on top of some locally sourced Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey to sweeten the treat. Abbott Hill Creamery has an amazing yogurt every Saturday at the market!
Homemade Popsicles
Another great treat is making your very own popsicles from the pureed fruit. Here’s a simple recipe for strawberry ice pops:
Strawberry Ice Pops Recipe:
2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- Blend the strawberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid.
Campfire Banana S’mores
An old favorite of mine is taking the S’mores ingredients and placing them in a slightly peeled banana, stuffing it with chocolate and marshmallows. I slice the banana lengthwise, and leave the skin on. Place the chocolate chips or pieces into the sliced part of the banana with marshmallows, and even graham crackers, then wrap it in foil and let it roast in the coals of the fire. If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it—it really is a delicious treat to eat right out of the banana boat skin with a spoon. Okay, the market might not have bananas, but I had to include this one because it is truly a yummy twist on the classic s’mores.
Grilled Skewers
For those looking for something more savory, let's not forget about grilling. How about grabbing some amazing locally grown onions and peppers, skewering them with pieces of chicken,beef or Bison, marinating in your favorite seasoning, and grilling until done to your liking? The best part is that when things are skewered, it becomes a meal on a stick and cleanup is a breeze. Marsh Meadow Bison, Hop N Hen Farm, Miles Smith Farm, and many many more are at the market with unsurpassed quality at any local grocery store.. Here is a go-to recipe of mine for marinating meats and veggies;
Marinade Ingredients;
½ cup Brown sugar
¼ cup Soy Sauce
¼ cup Rice Vinegar
¼ cup Sunflower oil (Sunfox Farm in NH has the best!)
4 cloves smashed garlic
Join Us at Capital Art Therapy LLC
Wanting more structure to access your creative side? At Capital Art Therapy LLC, we’re passionate about helping our community discover the joys of art. This summer we are offering a variety of affordable classes for youth ages 6 to 15 with Margaux Thibeault an art educator, to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster a sense of community. She will provide guidance and support to help participants on their creative journey.
This summer, we hope you can take advantage of one of the art classes and gain a boost in confidence and foster a deeper sense of well-being. To learn more about our classes, visit our website at capitalarttherapy.com or follow us and sign up at eventbrite.com.
Written by Susan Riedl
Susan is the owner of Capital Art Therapy LLC and is an artist, art educator, and art therapist in private practice and resides with her husband, and dog Nova in Concord NH. She can be seen making street chalk drawings on Saturday mornings during the Concord Farmers Market located on state street next to the Capital.
Images
Additional Info
Related Links : https://capitalarttherapy.com/