Looking for some frugal tips for celebrating Independence Day (aka, the 4th of July)? There are so many great ideas out there right now, and I’m happy to be the host for this week’s All Things Family blog carnival, where our theme is 4th of July fun. Some of you have submitted your great ideas, and I have also included some of my favorite ideas that I’ve seen around in the past week.

4th of July Cupcakes:

Cupcakes seem to be a hot idea for your festivities this year! Cheryl at Tidy Mom has a great post about Patriotic Cupcakes.

Cindy at Skip to My Lou has a different take on red white & blue cupcakes. I love the star candy topper and the sprinkles! (p.s. don’t forget to check out all the great crafts at Cindy’s Craft Camp)

Shelley posted these yummy-looking cupcakes at How Does She? Are you getting your cupcake-making gear out now? Wait, I have one more!

Linette G. presents Fun 4th Of July Cake and Cupcake Ideas posted at The Kid’s Birthday Fun Review, saying, “For your 4th of July party, or just to have fun making with the kids.”

4th of July Printables:

Wendy provides six fancy Printable Patriotic Pinwheels at Craft Jr.

Jen posted some July 4th Games for Preschoolers at Projects For Preschoolers.

Char provides Patriotic July 4th Printables at Printables4Kids, and a free Printable July 4th Invitation.

Check out this excellent 4th of July printable roundup at Living Locurto. (This photo is of a printable July 4th party pack from Tweedle Dee Designs).

Other July 4th Crafts and Activities:

Check out my Patriotic Ribbon Bracelets (great for rhythm activities, and fun before dusk) at AmazingMoms.

Or, try my paper patriotic bracelets as a fun afternoon activity for the kiddos. These also work as cute napkin rings. (Find ’em at Amazing Moms).

Kristle Jones presents Project Idea: Colored Rice posted at Will Blog for Babies, saying, “A Craft Project for Kids of All Ages–make your own colored rice craft. The colored rice can be used in lieu of sand in a sand box or as decorative art on a piece of paper with glue.” This would work for a fun tactile activity on Independence Day, if you dye the rice red and blue.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Cheap Barbecue And Safe Fireworks: Our Fun Family Extravaganza posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “Wanted to share how we spent 4th of July a few years ago. We’ll be doing this again! Here are cheap ideas to spend the day.”

Other Crafts and Frugal Tips:

Beth Ziesenis presents Photovisi: Create a photo collage in minutes posted at Cheapskate Freelancer, saying, “Thumbnail review of Photovisi a free site that allows your family to create a collage in minutes.”

Clare Swindlehurst presents How to Make Your Child the Belle of the Ball with a Princess Slumber Party posted at Operation Pixie Dust, saying, “If your little girl is a fan of the Disney princesses like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Jasmine then a princess slumber party could be the perfect way to celebrate her birthday this year. In this article I’ll give you some great ideas for invitations, decorations, prizes and activities to help you throw your little princess a fabulous slumber party.”

Elizabeth Baldwin presents Learning Letters posted at Learn Live Laugh, saying, “A great resource for moms of children 0-5 who want to make every day full of fun learning opportunities.”

Random Jan presents Homeschool Headstart Bazaar 2010 posted at Creative Hemispheres, saying, “My 7 year old son and I joined a Homeschool Bazaar where we sold various crafts and we made.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of all things family using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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