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With Fourth of July right around the corner, everyone has fireworks on the brain. Where I live, the stands are on every single corner, offering tons of exploding trinkets at dirt cheap prices! While fireworks are something that so many of us seem to love this time of year, they are also an incredibly dangerous trend that only continues to gain more popularity. This list of safe fireworks alternatives can hopefully help you enjoy the holiday without the dangers!
As someone who works within the healthcare field, I can tell you first hand that this time of year, hospitals all over the country are stocking up their burn units and preparing for their busiest time of the year. From kids who held fireworks in their hands to adults who caught bottle rockets to the face, this holiday brings so much opportunity for our loved ones to get injured. Now, I won’t say everyone should give up fireworks and have a nice quiet Fourth of July, but I do often see young kids playing with fireworks without an adult’s help and/or guidance.
Being the mom of a 6-year-old, the thought of letting my son play with something that is meant to explode has never been something I could get behind. Because of this, we have found so many fun alternatives for the kids to enjoy, while the adults handle the actual explosions.
Safe Fireworks Alternatives
1. Glow in the Dark Bubbles
If you add just a little bit of Glow in the Dark Paint to your bubble solution, you’ll have glowing bubbles!! Everyone loves bubbles but bubbles that glow in the dark? The kids might just steal the show from the adults with this awesome idea!
2. Confetti Poppers
Everyone remembers those little bottles that had a string you could pull to make them pop and release confetti, right? Well, there are patriotic Fourth of July versions of these that are PERFECT for the younger kids that aren’t quite old enough for sparklers. They make the fun noise, they shoot confetti everywhere, and they don’t require being lit on fire to work! These are safe fireworks alternatives everyone loves!
3. Make Your Own Colorful Flashlights
In my family, when we were young, we use to love to run around outside just after dark playing flashlight tag. Remember those good ol days? Well, I invented something even more fun for my kiddo and his friends to play! I take these mini LED flashlights (super affordable on amazon) and I either color the lenses with sharpie or place a piece of colored tape over the lenses to create super affordable and easy to make festive flashlights!
Even More Safe Fireworks Alternatives
4. Fill Balloons with Confetti For the Kids to Pop
The Fourth of July is all about loud noises and things exploding, right? Well, sort of! My favorite thing to do for the kids is to fill a ton of balloons with confetti and let them pop them! Not only do they get to run around stomping on them, squeezing them, sitting on them, or otherwise finding ways to pop them, they also get to enjoy the burst of confetti inside! You can order a bag of balloons cheap right here!
5. Glow Sticks
Everyone loves glow sticks, and this time of year is no exception! The kids don’t have to miss out on the colorful light-up fun just because they’re too young to play with fire! These patriotic glow stick bundles are a genius way to get the kids involved in the fun while still keeping everyone safe!
6. Silly String
What better way to let the kids run off energy and have a blast than to let them shoot silly string everywhere? Face it, we all know silly string can be an annoying mess BUT Fourth of July always creates a huge mess outside anyway! There is always remnants of the fireworks covering the street and driveway the next morning so as long as you’ll be out there cleaning up, might as well hose off some silly string too!
7. Firework Light Show
I have definitely saved the best for last! Let the kids handle the best part of the light show with this Light show! ZERO fire or gun powder involved! This is a truly amazing idea for the kids to have their very own fireworks show without any of the dangers. Definitely qualifies as one of the best safe fireworks alternatives you’ll find!
There you have it, an entire list of safe fireworks alternatives to involve the kids without worrying about someone losing an eye! The Fourth of July can be extremely stressful for some of us moms, constantly worrying whether or not that next boom will misfire or shoot in the wrong direction. While we may not be able to convince the men to take less risks, these are all awesome ways to make sure the kids get to have fire-free fun!
Add in some s’mores making over the fire pit and maybe a sidewalk chalk drawn flag or two and this holiday was MADE for the kids! However you spend your holiday, don’t forget to relax, be safe, and most of all, enjoy your family and friends!
Need ideas for what to make for your Fourth of July party? There are some AMAZING recipes here!