This can take any shape you want it to and you can opt to decorate cupcakes, cookies, ice cream sundaes, sheet cakes... anything you want. Not only can you use food coloring to tint the icing or the whipped cream, but the possibility for red, white, and blue toppings are endless and range from fresh produce (berries and bananas) to sprinkles.

Parents Magazine has a great game to keep the kids occupied. Decorate cleaned out tin cans with red white and blue duct tape. Set them up in pyramids and let the kids take turns aiming bean bags at them to knock them down.

Don't be afraid of the noise on this one. Give them toy drums, recorders, whistles, etc. You can teach them to sing a simple patriotic song or get a recording and have them "play along" as they walk down your street. Some kids can decorate their tricycles and riding toys with streamers and red, white, and blue stickers to ride in the parade. Get your extended family or all the kids in the neighborhood in on the action, too.

No Time For Flashcards has a pretty easy flag placemat craft for little ones that calls basic craft materials (glue, scissors, and construction paper). If they have enough patience, you can have them make several and use them at your holiday barbecue.

Decorate your toast, pancakes, or waffles with cream cheese, blueberries, strawberries and bananas.

Check out the Life With the Littles blog for a toast and fruit flag and tons of amazing red, white, and blue snacks — everything from flag-colored Rice Krispie treats to jello parfaits and dipped pretzel sticks.

A box of sidewalk chalk can keep the kids busy for ages. On July 4th, take out the red, white and blue chalk and let them go crazy. Make star templates for them and they can trace them all over the driveway. They can even create their own driveway art fireworks display by drawing "explosions" of any color.

What could be more American than going to a baseball game? Older toddlers may be the perfect age to be introduced to a minor league park. Ticket prices are pretty reasonable and many of these have between-inning entertainment. Some ballparks even have playgrounds and trains running around them. Throw in a hot dog and, if you are lucky, fireworks at the end, and it's an all-American way to celebrate.

You may be able to do a little cheating here since little kids can be unpredictable and the fireworks are probably after bedtime, so let them wear their jammies. If you know there are fireworks being held at a local ballpark or someplace similar, park a little bit away from the event and get out and watch in front of your car (you may want to bring little chairs or a blanket to sit on). With strategic parking, you may be able to get them back into the car quickly and avoid the traffic.

Find a few easy to sing patriotic songs, including these July 4th songs and rhymes from Twiggle Magazine, and teach them to the kids.

You can let them go to town with red, white, and blue fabric paint or get ambitious and have stars and stripes stencils for them to use. After they dry, they can either wear them in their own parade or in your town's parade, if you go.

With a dish brush and some washable paint, Crafty Morning came up with a way for the kiddies to create their own fireworks on paper. You can use other things around the house, too, including paper towel rolls that are cut on the ends.

Many towns have parades. If you can corral the kids long enough, pull out those strollers and wagons and head over. You can even decorate your ride with some red, white, and blue ribbon and find a mini flag for your little one to wave.

Break out some July 4th-themed classics like F is For Flag ($4, Amazon), The Night Before the 4th of July ($5, Amazon), and Fourth of July Mice ($4, Amazon). For something a little different, grab a blanket and have an outdoor reading party.