Make an American Flag with Kids
This simple patriotic activity would be a fun way to observe Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and any other patriotic day you can think of.
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Materials Needed:
Black and white printout(s) of U.S. flag. (Download at the bottom of the post.)
washi-tape (3/8” or 1 cm wide)
blue paint
red paint
paintbrush (see the tips section below for suggestions)
dowel rod (see below for alternatives)
Activity overview:
Download and print the flag picture(s).
Use washi-tape to tape off the stripes that should be white.
Color or paint the rest of the flag with blue and red (where appropriate).
Once the paint is dry, add white or silver star stickers.
Remove the washi-tape to reveal the white stripes of the flag.
If you want a two-sided flag, repeat the previous steps using the reverse flag printable.
Cut out the finished flag and attach to a wooden dowel to serve as a flag pole.
Do you know the meaning behind the symbols and colors of the American flag?
The following information is from USA.gov.
The United States flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue field represent the 50 states.
The colors on the flag represent:
Red: valor and bravery
White: purity and innocence
Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
To learn more about the American Flag, including the Pledge of Allegiance, you can visit USAGov
Tips:
Paint directly on the printer paper flag, use watercolor or tempera paint for best results.
The less water the better. For less mess, use the water pen pictured above (and linked to below).
If using tempera paint, young children can use a cotton swab to paint with.
Older kids can use a thin paintbrush.
Show the kids pictures of real U.S. flags so they have a reference of what they’re making.
When applying the washi-tape, start it on the second stripe. (You will paint the top stripe red and alternate from there.)
Use liquid glue to adhere the two sides of the painted flag to each other with the wooden dowel in between them at the end with the blue.
In place of a dowel rod “flag pole,” use a wooden chopstick. Even a wooden spoon would work as a temporary measure.
We hope you and the kiddos enjoy making these painted American flags.
In exchange for the free flag printables (linked below the Amazon products), please share this on social media.
The image below is pinnable. Thanks.
The U.S. Flag printables (below) are free downloads (as are all of the printables on this site). Some printables are locked in the Resource Library which you can get free access to by joining our newsletter. Just sign up using the subscription box (below the comment section) and you’ll receive the latest password along with news of our latest art projects. Thank you.
