[SchmennaLeigh]

July 4th is a fun day for our family. We're very patriotic. But, as Nicholas is under a year, I don't know if we will be attending a fireworks display this year. Besides the fact that it will be past his normal bed time (we have no set time but he's usually asleep by 9ish), I fear the noise(s) may be too scary!

So what can one do with a little one at home on the 4th of July? Ideas? What are you doing with your child?

[HBV]

We've been wondering that too---we're invited to a birthday party that night. However, I am wondering if I'm being too paranoid---we went to a friend's for dinner this weekend and they dragged out the karaoke machine. He slept right through it.

During the day on the 4th I think we'll just do what we usually do--- put the flag up, go to the park, maybe do a little pool time. There's a park near us that always has a big flag display on holidays---we might take him to see that.

[StorkWatcher]

Our little A was enthralled by the country and state flag flying outside our ped's office yesterday. (yes, we were at the doctor on a SUNDAY. Baby A had a terrible allergic reaction to who-knows-what. Wicked looking hives. He's on BEnedryl, and we're trying to figure out what might have set it off.)

Hopefully, it will be a little windy so the flags can "wave bye-bye" to you!

I'm hoping the tiny-town fireworks in our neigborhood won't wake him up after bedtime. We'll probably skip a big display somewhere. I remember when my goddaughter was 2 months old during her first 4th celebration. They kept her out for most of the fireworks (but I was really worried that they were too loud for her). She didn't seem to mind them, and slept through part.

I'm pretty sure our little firecracker would be scared of the loud noises.

[jennandsteve]

We took Sophia last year, she was just over 1. She LOVED them and still remembers them, I think. And she is a kid who is afraid of loud noises. Still runs away when I turn on the hair dryer and is terrified of the shop vac.

[Lovebug]

We stayed home, had a BBQ with family and friends and watched the fireworks on TV! Lol. Dh lit up some sparklers and that was our excitement.

--Renee

[StorkWatcher]

Okay - so maybe we'll do our own little driveway fireworks early on - and just pick the pretty, sparkly QUIET things. Our dogs would sure be happy (the greyhound HATES fireworks and thunder).

"Snakes" were always our childhood favorite. I don't know if they even make those any more..... They're probably too boring for today's generation of kids. No bright colors or lights or sounds. Just smoking, growing snakes....

[NDN]

Originally Posted by StorkWatcher

"Snakes" were always our childhood favorite. I don't know if they even make those any more..... They're probably too boring for today's generation of kids. No bright colors or lights or sounds. Just smoking, growing snakes....

Actually, they do still make snakes. We had some last year. When mine were that little, one hated the noise. He acted like it hurt his ears. The other one wasn't bothered by the noise, but he wasn't interested. Mostly, for the first couple years we did snakes and smoke bombs before dark--even little guys usually like watching those things. Then, after they went to sleep we'd set off fireworks in the pasture. That way the older folks could watch through the picture window and would be there in case the babes woke up.

[crick]

I have to find something new for this year as we are in a drought and have fire/firework bans all over the state. Don't even know if the big firework shows are going to be allowed in most places.

Thinking of a bbq with friends and renting a bouncy castle or have some carnival fun in the yard, just don't know if it'll be too expensive.

Jenna...for his age, you might consider putting him in the stroller with the hood up and a thick blanket over it to muffle the noise on the sides. Obviously if it's hot, you'll need ventilation etc., but it still might help. That way hopefully he'll just sleep during the festivities.

[xillini]

We are having a BBQ with family & then go to a parade. In the evening we will be in the country with family away from the fireworks. He goes to sleep around 8:00. Maybe we could try the fireworks in a couple of years.

[megaphonemo]

Our area has GREAT fireworks, so we are giving it a go!! Figure I can always put my hands over her ears. She may actually sleep through them, but maybe too much other excitement with other people around. We went to a memorial day parade and during the 21 gun salute, I tried to put my hands over her ears and she was more annoyed with me than the loud noises..... We'll see on the 3rd (the day of KaBoom!!


Mega