Here's a windup toy that's guaranteed to amuse young holiday guests on the Fourth of July. Just crank the handle, let go when the top starts to turn, and watch the starry swirl.

If you're planning an Independence Day party, check out our other ideas for Fun on the 4th. CRAFT MATERIALS:
Plastic coffee can lid
Craft knife
Thick rubber band
Paper clips
Sticker stars
Flexible plastic straw

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Use a craft knife to cut a small X in the center of a plastic coffee lid.

2. Push one end of a thick rubber band (like the one shown below) up through the opening and stretch it around the center of a paper clip to keep it from pulling back through. Decorate the lid with sticker stars.

3. From a flexible plastic straw, cut one 4-inch straight length and one 4 1/2-inch length with the bendable portion near the center. Shape a second paper clip into a small hook. Then slide it into the straight straw length and use it to pull the free end of the rubber band through.

4. Insert one end of the bendable straw length through the protruding loop of the rubber band for a handle.