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5 non-exploding ways to entertain kids for July 4

 
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iStockphoto.com
Published June 30, 2015

For the littlest ones, especially those younger than 5, it can be hard on July Fourth to find diversions that capture their attention, but don't involve lighting something on fire. Some alternatives:

TNT Pop-Its Those yellow and red boxes of paper packets can be found in the front of every grocery store, Target and Walmart this week. They make a loud snap when thrown against a hard surface or stepped on. And if you throw them when it's dark outside, you can see a small spark. They are cheap (a box of 100 is about $1), but safe enough to snap between your fingers (that's not recommended by the makers, of course, but we do it all the time).

Glow sticks, glow necklaces The body lights found in party stores emit such an entrancing neon glow that little ones won't notice you haven't handed them a sparkler. The necklaces are especially fun on a dark night to string together and make a glow lasso, a glow jump rope or a glowing ring-toss game.

Light-up toys The Target $1 bin recently had some plastic inflatable light-up tubes that looked like the spirit sticks you see in sports stadiums. You can find numerous light-up balls and toys at dollar stores and big box retailers.

Flashlights Make a special point on July Fourth to bring out a special one, such an LED spiral light or a simple flashlight that blinks in different colors, or the $7.55 Spectra Spinner Wand we found on Amazon. They can at least buy you some distraction time before the city's big fireworks show.

Bubble wrap stomp You don't need firecrackers to make a "Pop!" The pop-pop-popping of the plastic packing material is an obsession for people of all ages. You can spread out sheets of the plastic blisters on the driveway, have a countdown and then turn loose those little sneakers.

Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer. Follow @SharonKWn.