Summer Fireworks Tips
by Brenda Hyde
Fireworks are amazing no matter how old you are, but when
you are little they can be a bit overwhelming. This year I wanted
to repeat a few family tips and add a couple of new recipes that
are perfect for the Fourth or any summer celebration. First, if
you have kids under a year, it might be best to plan a home
celebration or at least fireworks you can watch from a distance.
Let's face it, fireworks are LOUD and little ones will often focus
on the sound that is assaulting their little ears and not the pretty
lights. We also found early on in parenthood it was just too late
to keep up tiny kids. For a couple of years Dad took our older
boys to the local fireworks while I stayed home with the baby.
It's often more fun to attend day events such as parades and
festivals. Another note-leave your pets at home. Too many
people and too much noise is not a good situation for babies
or pets.
ATTENDING THE FIREWORKS
When you do go to a firework celebration with everyone in tow, be
prepared. Take lawn or camping chairs, a blanket, a small cooler
with drinks and snacks. Find out ahead of time if there will be
bathrooms-if not, keep the drinks to a minimum, and have them
ready for afterwards. Don't be tempted to park as close as you
can to the fireworks. It's better to park farther away and walk-you
will get out MUCH sooner when it's over! The kids will be tired
and don't react well to sitting in a hot parking lot waiting for traffic.
If you aren't sure how the kids are going to feel about the noise-
such as a first time toddler-take ear plugs. You can buy them at
a pharmacy and they are handy to have around. Have mom or dad
hold the toddler on their lap and when the fireworks start put the
ear plugs in. Usually once they are fascinated by the lights they
will ignore the ear plugs and have a good time!
Remember, the fireworks may be at a safe distance but people aren't.
Sit where you see other families with small kids. You want to stay
away from anyone that is setting off their own fireworks. If you have
to, get up and move. Each year people are injured when they don't set
them off correctly and you don't want to be near someone that doesn't
know what they are doing. Once my husband and I learned these tips
we really had a great time watching the yearly fireworks, and we have
a lot of great discussions and fun while waiting with our kids, who are
now 11, 12 and 4. Bring along riddle or quiz books, a Book of Lists, or
a copy of the Guinness Book or World Records. All of these are great
conversation starters while waiting for the fireworks!
SPARKLERS
I've been using sparklers for many (ahem...) many years each summer.
If you follow a few safety rules they are inexpensive fun for the entire
family. Keep a can or bucket of water next to you to put the finished
sparklers and matches in. Have an adult hand out and light the sparkers.
Kids under five should really have mom and dad, or grandma and grandpa
hold the sparkler with them or at the very least make them stand next to
you while it burns and not run around. You just never know when they
might get the urge to "taste or feel" the sparkler. From the time kids
are tiny, keep going over the rules and explaining what they can do
and not do, so it becomes something do automatically. Light off the
sparklers at home, not in public. You can monitor the situation, and
keep it controlled. I know things get really busy, but never send the
kids out in the backyard, even if they are older, to light sparklers by
themselves. It's just too easy for accidents to happen. Always have
an adult present. Plus, you don't want to miss the giggles!
Lastly, here are a couple of fun snacks to enjoy this summer with the
kids on a nice evening while you watch fireworks or light sparklers.
Bite Size Popcorn Balls
Ingredients:
2 quarts plain popped popcorn
3/4 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup small candies such as M&Ms, candy corn etc.
24 Caramel candies, about 1/2 pound
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
butter or margarine
Combine popcorn, nuts and candy corn in a large bowl; toss to mix.
Combine the caramels, water and sugar in top of double boiler. Heat
over simmering water, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth,
about 20 minutes. Pour over popcorn mix; toss to coat evenly. When
mixture is cool enough to handle but still soft, shape mixture with
buttered hands into small quarter size balls. Place on buttered baking
sheet to finish cooling.
Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn
Ingredients:
3 quarts popped popcorn
1/3 cup melted margarine
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Place popcorn in large bowl. Drizzle melted margarine over popcorn. In
a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. Place popcorn
and sugar cinnamon mix in large paper bag. Fold over the top of the
bag and close bag tightly. Shake until the popcorn is evenly coated.
Makes about 12 cups. (You can use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie
spice for a fun fall treat too.)
About the author
Brenda Hyde is a mom to three, wife, writer and Regional Recipe editor here at Standbesideher.com. She lives in the rural midwest with her family.
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