Ideas for teaching kids meaning of July Fourth

NEW YORK (AP) — America traditionally celebrates its birthday with flags, fireworks, parades and barbecues, so how are kids going to get the real meaning behind Independence Day?

Lots of ways. Try some of these:

DISCUSS DISCUSS DISCUSS

For younger children, describe July Fourth as the nation's birthday, said Mary Eames Ucci, education director of the Wellesley College Child Study Center. Tell them the parade, fireworks and hot dogs are for the celebration.

"As children get older, they can begin to understand what independence means," she said. "When you become independent, you get a lot of freedom but you also get a lot of responsibility."

Make it an annual ritual for kids spend a few minutes thinking about and then discussing the contributions they want to make to their country — and to the world, said Debra Condren, a psychologist and mom.

"Help them come up with age-appropriate ideas for short-term, intermediate and long-term ways they can give back to and carry on the cause championed by those courageous leaders who originally fought for our independence," she said.

VISIT A HISTORICAL SITE

If you live on the Eastern Seaboard, you probably have a Revolutionary War battlefield nearby, said Brandon Marie Miller, author of "George Washington for Kids." You can look one up here: www.nps.gov/archive/thst/battle.htm.

For families who aren't close to a battlefield or another historical site, she suggests online trips. Try the virtual tour at the Web site of Valley Forge National Historical Park — www.nps.gov/vafo — in Pennsylvania. It's where the Continental Army set up camp. The site has podcasts for kids ages 8 to 12 covering the significance of 10 locations in the park, along with lessons and activities spanning other aspects of the American Revolution.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens — www.mountvernon.org — has a virtual tour of the first president's home, memory games to learn about the archaeology of the estate and jigsaw puzzles that include a portrait of Washington.

READ ALL ABOUT IT

There are many wonderful children's books about the Fourth of July, said Amy McClure, professor of children's literature at Ohio Wesleyan University.