Our Independence Day Tablecloth

I got the idea from Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett's facebook.  I wanted something fun to do with my girls to help create a fun memory. Who knew a sheet and some fabric paints could be so much fun?

I bought a white, twin-size, flat sheet.  I laid it out on the table.  A word of caution, put newspapers between the sheet and your table.

Amanda recommended putting something in the middle, such as the preamble to the Constitution. I didn't have time for that, so I simply put "God Bless America".

Then, the girls and I had fun using puff paints to decorate the sheet with fun designs, some patriotic symbols, etc.  We almost had a catastrophe when the five year old accidentally pulled the cloth on to of her.  It caused more than a few smudges and ruined one of her shirts.  We covered the smudges the best we could and used up the small bottles of fabric paint.

I thought this was a priceless activity.  The tablecloth can now be brought out on future 4th of July celebrations.  In fact, I may do this with the kids for future holiday celebrations. Can you imagine one for Thanksgiving or Christmas?  I will have to do it in advance though.  Yesterday, we sat the tablecloth - in the hot sun for a couple of hours so it would dry in time for the cookout.  That isn't an option in the winter.