We're also a fan of this vinyl decal for iPad from Etsy.
You may be hopping in the car tonight or tomorrow morning, or planning to wait in the crowd to see Nathan’s hotdog contest tomorrow afternoon – regardless, you’re bound to have a few minutes of downtime. If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, here are a few ways to fill the time:
FOR THE COMPETITIVE: With the Bang 4th of July app (Free), you can battle your favorite Patriots and Loyalists: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Deborah Sampson, George III, William Franklin and Benedict Arnold – the whole gang. Each player has a different role and objective. (This app rates 12 and older.)
FOR THE ARTISTIC: Try the 4th of July version of Kids Fingerpainting (Free). Color any scene — the possibilities! — from pre-set color patriotic palettes and add frames, autographs or messages. You can even turn masterpieces into puzzles or save them to Photo Library. When your kids’ work makes it to the Met, you’ll have these to remind them who to thank.
FOR THE HISTORIAN: Top 100 U.S.A. Historical Documents (Free) arranges some of our nation’s most important pieces of prose in order of popularity: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, Articles of Confederation, President George Washington’s First Inaugural Address, Brown v. Board of Ed., Gettysburg Address, United Nations Charter, among others. “Four score and seven years ago….” (We still know that one.)
WAR BUFFS, LISTEN HERE: Revolutionary War Site Locator ($1.99) finds places in your vicinity related to the Revolutionary War. As you scroll your map, it automatically updates to show up to 500 locations at one time. Time travel, we’re getting closer!
FOR THE FIREWORKS ENTHUSIAST: Fireworks Sound Effects ($0.99) allows you to loop one of four firework sounds over and over. If you are perennially upset when the fireworks are over, consider this an investment. Regardless, they make a great sound effect. We’ll leave this to your imagination.
FOR THE FUTURE-SAVVY: Forget who you’re going to marry and where you’re going to live. Now you can figure out what will happen at your Fourth of July barbecue (will Master Griller or will not Master Griller burn the burgers? See below) with an Independence-Day-themed game of M.A.S.H. (mansion, apartment, shack, house).
FOR MASTER GRILLERS: Even the pros can use a second opinion. Grilltime has everything from timers to recommended grilling times and temperatures ($1.99). No one needs to know they’re using it.
FOR THOSE “ARE WE THERE YET” ASKERS: Roadside Presidents ($2.99) is a database of presidential information and trivia with stats on First Ladies, VPs, sibling, pets and even presidential wannabees. It locates everything from birthplaces, to museums and monuments, to places where these figureheads slept, ate and — yes — dropped dead. We most certainly feel more enlightened having located JFK’s favorite restaurant booth.
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