This American flag craft is an amazing activity to celebrate patriotic holidays and more with kids.
It’s a fun and frugal way that uses just a few painting supplies. You can create a festive and meaningful project that’s great for Veterans Day, the 4th of July, Flag Day, or any time of the year. I’m sharing how I’ve used this craft with my boys and ideas for using as decorations.
Whether you’re teaching about the flag or simply looking for a creative activity, this easy craft is a wonderful way to honor America’s colors while having some crafty fun.
Hands-On + Visual Way to Honor & Celebrate
Need a simple and fun activity with patriotic themes to enjoy with your kids? Maybe you’d like a frugal way to celebrate an important holiday like Veterans Day with your students?
Well, this easy American flag craft is awesome for all of those things and more!
When my boys were younger, I tried to use as many hands-on projects that I could to help them understand big concepts. We’d use playdough (and playdough mats), slime, DIY puppets, and more to have a place to start conversations. The creative activities would grab their interest and then I could ease into talking about things.
Some of the holidays that we celebrate here in the United States can be challenging for young learners. Memorial Day and Veterans Day were two holidays that I struggled with explaining. My boys are sensitive. I tried to be as mindful as possible on subjects like war and dying.
One of the best projects that we worked on (and still enjoy the completed works) is this American flag craft. It helped us explore the history of the flag, its current design, and how we could make our own painting of it.
Suggested Supplies for This Patriotic Craft
WooHoo! I’ve got some great news about this cool craft: You really only need a few materials! And you probably already have these materials in your home or classroom.
Gather and prepare these supplies so you’ll be ready to go for craft fun with kids:
- White Paper
- Red, White, and Blue Paint
- Cotton Balls
- Q-tip
If you don’t have Q-tips, you could use the eraser end of a pencil.
Pacon 103026 Tru-Ray Construction Paper, 76 lbs., 9 x 12, White, 50 Sheets/PackCrayola BIN541205BN Washable Kid’s Watercolor Paint, 10 Bottles Per Pack, 3 PacksGeneric Cotton Balls, Pure Cotton Balls, Absorbent, 100 Count – Soft,Multipurpose Cotton Balls for Makeup Removal (0.3g/ball）, WhiteQ-tips Cotton Swabs ,SWAB,QTIPS,ANTIBAC,300/PK
How to Make This American Flag Craft
01
Prepare paint and add blue rectangle
Squirt some red, white, and blue paint on a paper plate or a palette.
Dipping one cotton ball into the blue paint, dab a blue rectangle in the top left corner of the flag. Allow time for the paint to dry.
02
Add red stripes
Using another cotton ball, dip into the red paint and dab on several stripes across the remaining white portion of the flag. Try to keep the white spaces in between about the same width as the red stripes. If you notice any bigger blobs during this step, dab at them until they are the same level as the rest of the stripe, for even drying. Allow time to dry completely.
03
Add red stripes
Dip the Q-tip into the white paint and make rows of white spots across the blue area.
Try to add 10 dots across with 5 rows (or continue making rows until you are out of room).
Creative Ideas for Using Your Flag Craft
Oh my stars! You can enjoy this flag craft in all sorts of ways for fun with kids. If you could use a bit of inspiration on how to make and display, here are a few of my ideas:
- Consider making smaller flags (by cutting the paper into halves or quarters). Attach these smaller flags together with a string or yarn to create a banner that you can hang along a wall, on a fireplace mantle, or above a door.
- Adhere a magnet to the back of your U.S. flag craft. Use to add some patriotic decor to your refrigerator or magnetic white board.
- Display on a window, door, or wall.
- Place in a frame or adhere to decorative cardstock.
- Use this craft throughout the year or specifically for a patriotic holiday, like:
More Ways to Learn About The American Flag
If you’d like to enjoy an American flag as an educational theme, I encourage you to include more resources to boost the fun. I think books and accessories are smart ideas. Here are some resources that we like:
Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag? (Cloverleaf Books ™ ― Our American Symbols)The Worn-Out Flag: A Patriotic Children’s Story of Respect, Honor, Veterans, and the Meaning Behind the American FlagThe American Flag (U.S. Symbols)Inventing the American Flag: How the Stars and Stripes Was Woven from SymbolsAmerica’s Flag StoryAnwyll American Flag Stickers,500Pcs 1*¾inch USA Patriotic Labels Stickers,Self-Adhesive 4th of July Stickers,Memorial Day Stickers,Reward Stickers,Independence Day Sticker for Cards Envelopes GiftQQSD US American Flag Sticker USA Decal in Multiple Sizes, 3 Pack, 11.7 x 8.3 InchesAmerican Flag Stickers, 500-Count USA Flag Stickers, Patriotic Label Roll, Heart Shaped, 1.25 x 2.125 Inches
Create A Special & Meaningful Keepsake
If you’d like a delightful way to help your kids enjoy a meaningful activity AND have a special keepsake to use for years to come, I think this craft is the way to go! You can use it in so many ways to honor and celebrate.
⭐ Okay, I would truly love to hear your ideas for making and enjoying this painting American flag craft with kids! Also, please let me know if you have any questions about the instructions. Just pop your ideas and questions in the comments area at the bottom of this post!
