Taking the Kids: Celebrating with family on the Fourth of July

Philadelphia, America’s birthplace and where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written and signed, celebrates big time. The 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival commemorates Juneteenth and the Fourth of July, showcasing what independence means in the United States and including free admission to many of the city’s museums. The festival culminates with a Fourth of July concert and huge fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. All weekend stop in at the Museum of the American Revolution with special activities and the chance for kids to explore a “military encampment" or a “tavern” at the Revolution Place Discovery Center. Take home a craft the kids have made!

Boston Harborfest boasts that it’s the biggest Independence Day festival in the country. Boston is where the fight for liberty began, and there will be great eats (how about a chowder fest?), kids’ activities, a pooch parade, and fireworks over Boston Harbor.

You can’t beat listening to a concert watching the fireworks against the DC skyline of monuments and memorials. “You may not know that the Smithsonian Folklife Festival is ongoing through July 4. Meet scientists, anthropologists and others to learn about conservations in action. Enjoy poetry, dance, cooking demonstrations, movies, speakers and more. The idea is to encourage all of us to connect beyond our immediate community.

Take the opportunity to remind your teens and tweens how much American revolutionaries sacrificed for their freedom — just like the Ukrainians are today. Ask if they would have supported the revolutionary cause or would have been loyal to England and the king.

A few tips wherever you hope to spend July 4. If you are traveling with a new pooch, be prepared that he may be frightened of the fireworks. Ditto if you have a toddler. Perhaps wait till next year?

If you are heading to a big festival or parade, make sure you have the “what if” talk with the kids. What if they get separated from you? (Make sure they have your names (some little kids will just say you are mom and dad) and cellphone number and know to ask someone in a uniform for help finding you. It doesn’t hurt to put your names, cellphone numbers and where you are staying in your child’s pocket.

Make sure your older kids have their phones charged (not a bad idea to give them an inexpensive portable charger before your next trip) and also know where you are staying. They too should only ask help from someone in uniform; It’s also a good idea to designate an easy-to-find meeting spot for a certain time.

If you are visiting a different part of the country, take the opportunity at the holiday celebrations to try a local food (a fish taco in San Diego; a lobster roll and chowder in New England; tamales in the Southwest.

And given gas prices, consider a place where you may get a bargain and won’t need a car. It may be over 100 degrees in Scottsdale, Arizona, for example, but the huge resort pools and water playgrounds (like the 30-foot-high water at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale) compensate. You’ll find holiday festivities — and good deals — everywhere from the celebration at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale to the Hotel Valley Ho, and water playgrounds at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Happy birthday, America!

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)