Fourth of July Fireworks with the Kids
For many people, July Fourth marks the middle of the summer. As a kid, it marked a day where watermelon was guaranteed and fireworks were not prohibited (if only in snap pop and sparkler form).
And now as a parent, viewing a firework display on the Fourth is a family tradition. The kids buzz about going to watch fireworks for weeks in advance, especially since the city puts on a big show. So, with the Pfirecracker Pfestival quickly approaching, here’s a parent’s guide to firework watching with the kids.
Tip 1: Don’t take the kids.
Just kidding. Without the kids you’d just be sitting in the 95 degree darkness slapping mosquitos and staring in the general direction the show was supposed to start in 30 mins ago alone. It’s much better to have miniature company. And someone to blame.
Tip 2: Bring Mosquito repellent.
July 4 may be an important day on the calendar of every red blooded American, but it is THE biggest holiday on the calendar of the red-blood-loving demons of summer nights. It’s like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas all in one for mosquitos.
Tip 3: Bring distractions for the kids.
I wasn’t kidding about the whole staring into the darkening night waiting for the show to get started thing. According to my research, a 3-year-old’s attention span —- that’s it, that’s as long as they can pay attention. The kids are going to get jittery and twitchy (as kids do) so plan ahead and bring something to occupy them. Glow in the dark anything works great.
Tip 4: Prepare for the questions.
Not just about when the show’s going to start, but about how loud the pops will be, whether there’s anything to drink or eat, and whether the Copenhagen interpretation or Everett interpretation is the better theory for quantum mechanics. Sigh. Kids will be kids.
Tip 5: Prepare for the complaints.
It’s too dark. I can’t see. Mosquitos are biting me. My brother is biting me. I’m hot. Is it ever going to end? As far as that last ones goes, when it comes to complaints the answer is no.
Tip 6: Plan your exit strategy.
If you have to drive somewhere to see the fireworks, there’s probably going to be traffic as soon as the show is over. Failing to plan a quick and efficient exit means the real fireworks are going to be going off in the car as you wait in gridlock with the overtired kids.
Tip 7: Enjoy the show and get used to it.
Even if they don’t seem to be having much fun at the time, the kids will think back on the firework show fondly by the next day. And one way or another, all the annoyances (and mosquito bites) will fade before next Fourth of July and you’ll be out there in the dark staring into the sky next year. So you might as well make the best of it.