Free Fourth of July worksheets for children, with seven printable activities that use real Fourth of July words, from flags and fireworks to parades, picnics and independence. Print a word search in three levels, bingo cards, a word scramble, a “how many words can you make” page, an acrostic poem, a writing prompt and a fold-up Fourth of July card, each with an answer key where one is needed.
Fourth of July worksheets to print (PDF)
These four pages show what the Fourth of July maker prints: a medium word search with a word list, two bingo cards on a page, an acrostic poem for the letters of FREEDOM, and the fold-up card that says “Happy Fourth of July!” Click a picture for the PDF.
Prefer one download? Grab the ready-made Fourth of July activity pack (PDF), which has every page in one file.
About Fourth of July: the holiday at a glance
A little background makes the words on the page mean more. Here are the basic facts that go with these Fourth of July worksheets:
| Date | July 4 every year |
|---|---|
| What it marks | The adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 |
| Also called | Independence Day |
| Colors | Red, white and blue |
| Symbols | The flag, stars and stripes, the bald eagle and the Liberty Bell |
| Traditions | Parades, barbecues, picnics and fireworks |
The story of Fourth of July
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which announced that the thirteen American colonies were free from British rule. The first anniversary was marked in 1777 with bells, bonfires and fireworks, and the celebration has grown ever since.
The United States Congress made July 4 a federal holiday in 1870. Today the day is a mix of history lessons, family time and summer fun, with parades in small towns and fireworks displays in big cities. Children can learn about the flag, the thirteen colonies and what freedom means to them.
Wikipedia’s Independence Day article describes the history and traditions of the holiday.
What is in the Fourth of July activity pack?
Every activity uses the same list of 24 Fourth of July words, so children meet each word several times in different ways. The list is the heart of these Fourth of July worksheets: the word search hides it, the scramble mixes it up, the bingo calls it out and the writing prompt asks children to use it.
Fourth of July word search: three levels
The word search comes in easy, medium and hard grids, with 10, 14 and 18 words from the list.
The longest Fourth of July word is independence with 12 letters, and the shortest word is red with 3. Words that are too long for a grid are left out of that level, so every puzzle has a solution.
Fourth of July vocabulary: words to talk about
Take a few minutes to talk about the words before children search for them. These eight are a good place to start:
| Word | Letters | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| independence | 12 | Freedom from being ruled by another country |
| liberty | 7 | The freedom to live and speak as you choose |
| anthem | 6 | A national song |
| parade | 6 | A public march with bands and floats |
| stripes | 7 | The long red and white bars on the flag |
| eagle | 5 | The bald eagle is a national symbol of the US |
| sparkler | 8 | A hand-held firework that gives off sparks |
| barbecue | 8 | A meal cooked outdoors over a fire |
The other 16 words in the list are flag, fireworks, freedom, america, stars, picnic, red, white, blue, july, summer, celebrate, country, hotdogs, watermelon and band.
How people celebrate Fourth of July
- Watching parades with flags, bands and floats
- Cooking out with family and friends
- Going to fireworks displays
- Wearing red, white and blue
- Singing patriotic songs and reading the Declaration
Fourth of July activities for kids to do with the worksheets
Pair the printed pages with a hands-on idea, and the vocabulary sticks:
- Flag facts: count the stars and stripes on a flag, then draw it with 13 stripes.
- Freedom writing: use the prompt, “What does freedom mean to you?”
- Parade at home: make paper flags and a simple drum for a family parade.
- Fireworks art: splatter paint on black paper to make fireworks.
- Freedom acrostic: write FREEDOM down the page and add a kind word for each letter.
How to use these Fourth of July worksheets in five minutes
The fourth of july worksheets maker works from the 24-word Fourth of July list, so whichever page you print uses the same words. Choose an activity, set the level and press Download PDF or Print, and press New puzzles for a fresh set.
Fourth of July worksheets: frequently asked questions
Why is July 4 called Independence Day?
It marks the day in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.
How many stripes are on the American flag?
Thirteen, seven red and six white, for the thirteen original colonies. There are fifty stars, one for each state.
Are these worksheets only for American children?
No. They are a good way to learn about American history and vocabulary for any English learner.
Fourth of July printables: find the right page
4th of july activities for kids
These 4th of July activities for kids pair well with a family parade, a flag craft or a picnic game of bingo.
Independence day worksheets
Independence Day worksheets are a good way to learn the history words, such as independence, liberty and anthem, before the fireworks start.
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- Word search generator for your own words
- Bingo card generator for custom cards