This easy Olympic torch craft is fun for toddlers and preschoolers to make with a cardboard roll and tissue paper. These torches are great for backyard Olympic games, pretend play, or to hold high while watching the opening and closing Olympic ceremonies.
Last week, we made this awesome piece of Olympic Ring Art for our play room, and yesterday we made Olympic bronze, silver and gold medals.
Today, we made another easy Olympic craft. We made cardboard roll torches!
Now the kids have something to hold and wave proudly while they’re watching the games at home, and cheering on the on the participants.
The hooligans watch the Olympics at home with their parents every evening, and my family is following the events closely too.
During our daycare day, the hooligans and I chat about our favourite athletes, and we discuss the events we watched the previous night. And of course, we’re making lots of Olympic themed crafts these days.
Turn your Olympic Torch Craft into a History Lesson:
Making an Olympic torch with your kids gives you an opportunity to talk to them about the significance of the Olympic torch and the history of the Olympic Flame.
The history of the Olympic Flame:
They Olympic flame has been a symbol of the Olympic Games since 1928. It represents a centuries old tradition: in ancient Greece, a fire was kept burning during the duration of the ancient games, and that’s what our modern day flame symbolizes.
What is the significance of the Olympic Torch?
The Olympic torch itself does not date back to ancient times. In modern times, it simply provides a way for us to transport the Olympic flame to the various locations of the Olympic events.
The Olympic flame is ignited several months prior to the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games. The lighting takes place in Olympus, Greece, where the ancient Olympics were held, and it travels around Greece before being transported to the city that is hosting the Olympic Games. This progression is known as the Olympic Relay. The relay ends on the night of the opening ceremonies when the flame is used to start the flame in the Olympic arena.
How is the Olympic Torch lit?
Your kids may be fascinated to learn that the flame of the Olympic torch is ignited by the power of the sun’s rays reflected by a parabolic mirror. Using concentrated sunlight to light the Olympic flame is said to guarantee the flame’s purity. The Olympic flame is extinguished on the day following the Olympic Games’ closing ceremonies.
Click here to read more about the history of the Olympic flame and torch here.
Now, let me show you how easy it is to make our Olympic torch.
To make your Olympic torch, you’ll need:
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How to make a cardboard torch:
We started by painting our cardboard tubes gold.
For the first coat, we used metallic gold acrylic craft paint.
To dry the tubes quickly, I gave them a blast with the hairdryer. Then the kids gave them a second coat with a brighter metallic kids paint.
When the tubes were dry we layered some red, orang and yellow sheets of tissue paper on the table.
I demonstrated to the hooligans how to grasp the tissue paper in the centre, and pick all of the layers up together.
Then they gently twisted their tissue paper “flames” twist, and stuffed them into the open end of their cardboard tubes.
Now that your kids know the history of the Olympic Torch and Olympic flame, they can go forth and hold their torches hight.
Let the games begin!
More easy Olympic Crafts for Preschoolers
Olympic Ring Art for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Olympic Ring Bracelets – I Can Teach My Child
Paper Plate Olympic Rings – Meaningful Mama
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
