What is a "family night in?"  It's doing something together at home that everyone in the family can enjoy.  Maybe your family already has some 4th of July traditions that you do together as a family.  Or maybe one of the activities below can become a new tradition!    

Some ideas for July: 

• Have a water balloon catching contest.  How many times can you toss and catch it before it breaks?
• Compare footprints in a mud puddle.
• Make red, white, and blue T-shirts by carving designs in potatoes to create a paint stamp.  Dip the potato stamps into red or blue fabric paint and press the paint onto a white T-shirt.
• Create your own paintings on the sidewalk using plain water and paintbrushes.  Watch the designs disappear when the water evaporates.
• If you have a chain link or picket fence, create your own artwork - weave colored paper through the spaces, or stuff tissue paper or brightly colored paper cups in the holes to make designs.
• Exercise together - walk, bike, or play active games (hide and seek, tag, hopscotch, etc.)
• Build a sand castle if you have sand available.

Don't get bogged down in the preparation and planning, because sometimes the simple things are often the most fun.  Spending relaxed time together with no schedule to keep or jobs to do can be wonderful.