Easy 4th of July Outfits for Your Kids

— -- If the annual red T-shirt and blue denim shorts are getting a bit old for July 4, consider some creative yet easy ideas courtesy of the DIY specialist, Pinterest. Here are some new ways to dress the kids in red, white and blue this Independence Day.

The Patriotic Fohawk

You will need:

• • Pomade
• • Comb
• • Red and blue washable markers
• • White chalk
• • Blow dryer

Directions:

• • Begin with a wet head and run the pomade through the whole head of hair.
• • Style the fohawk, brushing all the hair into the center.
• • Blow dry the hair completely.
• • Color red marker through the front section of the fohawk, then shade the middle with the white chalk and the back with blue marker.
• • Spray with hairspray for extra firm hold.

Handprint Flag Shirt

You will need:

• • Plain white T-shirt
• • Blue and red acrylic paints
• • Tray or plate for paint
• • Paint brushes (optional)

Directions:

• • Pour the blue paint into the tray and dip your child’s hand. Careful not to miss a spot!
• • Press the hand to the top corner of the shirt.
• • Using your fingers or a brush, paint the red stripes.
• • Let it dry and wear!

Stars and Stripes Sneakers

You will need:

• • Plain white canvas sneakers
• • Red and blue permanent markers
• • Star-shaped stencil (drawn or printed out)

Directions:

• • On the outside of each shoe, create a grid of horizontal lines half of an inch apart.
• • Color every other stripe in red.
• • On the inside of each show, trace the star leaving some space between the stars.
• • Color the area surrounding the stars blue.

Bandana skirt

You will need:

• • Red or blue bandana
• • Half inch wide elastic that is about one inch longer than your child’s waist measurement
• • 1 ½ yards of lace trim
• • Matching thread
• • Safety pin
• • Iron

Directions:

• • Cut the bandana exactly in half .
• • Place one piece on top of the other, perfectly aligned and with the cut edges on top.
• • Pin and sew a quarter inch seam down each side.
• • Fold the cut edges over one quarter of an inch and press with iron. Fold it again about three quarters of an inch and press again. This creates the casing for the elastic.
• • Sew the bottom of the fold down, leaving a large enough opening for your elastic.
• • Pin and sew your lace trim to the bottom of the skirt from the inside.
• • Use the safety pin to thread the elastic through the top of the skirt.
• • Sew the skirt closed (you’ll probably want to do this with a sewing machine).
• • Sew the remaining openings closed and voila!

Patriotic Crown

You will need:

• • Paper plate
• • Scissor
• • Blue paint
• • Paint brush
• • Red and white cardstock, cut into triangles
• • White star cutouts or stickers
• • Glue
• • Double-sided tape and regular tape
• • Thin elastic
• • Hole puncher

Directions:

• • Cut the paper plate in half. Using the outside of one half as a guideline, cut a curve in the flat side of the other half.
• • Paint the curved paper plate blue.
• • Once it’s dry, punch a hole in each corner.
• • Flip the plate, and on the unpainted side, use the double-sided tape to fasten the triangles, alternating red and white, around the perimeter.
• • Fasten the elastic through the hole punches.
• • Decorate the blue portion with the white stars.

Check out other neat ideas here.