There are many different types of love in the world, and the love for one’s country strikes differently compared to all the others. Even people who move to other countries have a special connection and nostalgic feeling about their native countries. There is no doubt that patriotic love is inspiring, and if you’re the kind of parent that wants their child to feel the same way, it is completely admirable.
Today, we wanted to focus on a category of crafts with a much deeper meaning: those that remind people of how proud they should be of being American. All of the craft that we’re going to show you are cheap and easy to make, with plenty of them centered around items that you probably have at home already. Ready? Let’s dive in and check out these flag crafts for preschoolers!
History of Memorial Day
It was first known as Decoration Day, during the years following the Civil War. But eventually was changed to Memorial Day. It takes place every year on the 25th of May and is reserved for people to visit memorials or pay respect to those who fought in wars for their country.
Crafts for Preschoolers
1. United States Map Coloring Page
Coloring books for kids have always been a neat way to help children pass the time and actually get them to stay in one place for longer than five minutes. Combine that with the outline of the USA map and you’ve got yourself a patriotic-infused way to keep the little one busy.
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2. Shaving Cream Fireworks
The fact that kids will go berserk if they were left unsupervised with a can of shaving cream is not a mystery to any parent, but what if you can redirect some of that passion towards a patriotic project that they will love working on? It’s all a matter of keeping an eye on them while they mess around with some paint, shaving cream, and toothpicks.
3. Watercolor Flags
The best part about this project (or the worst, depends on how unsupervised you plan on leaving your children) is that pretty much any white surface can be used as a canvas. It could be painted on anything from white cardboard plates to muffin paper, which could mean that your white tablecloth is in danger.
4. Patriotic Flowers
Dying flowers is actually super easy once you have the right type of flowers to work with. This can make a great art experiment for kids, as long as you can get your hands on some white daisies or chrysanthemums. All you’ll need after that are clean cups, food coloring, and a chopping board and knife.
5. Fireworks in a Jar
Don’t worry, these are not actual fireworks in a jar, but rather a nice project focused on colors and imagination. The idea is to show children how drops of food coloring and oil would act in a medium of lukewarm water inside a jar. It’s a nifty craft and a science experiment that your children are bound to love.
6. Pony Bead American Flag
This is one of our favorite crafts because who doesn’t like working with colorful beads? It is, however, one of those projects where you carefully have to supervise your kid because those things are really easy to ingest. With just a bit of patience and some guidance on your behalf, you can teach your child how to make the cutest miniature American flags.
7. Sponge-Painted Flags
Grab a new sponge, some red, white, and blue paint, and a pair of scissors to show your little one how to recreate the American flag in a very unique and fun way. It’s a small project that doesn’t require too many materials, but it’s a fun way to spend some time with your future little patriot.
8. Firework Stencils
What do you get when you combine a round piece of cardboard with some threaded yarn and some cool paint/watercolors? A stamp for making cool fireworks on paper, of course! This can add some patriotism to any drawing or can be used to decorate several other themed objects that need a little spark.
9. American Flag Handprint
This is one of the easiest projects on the list, but also one of the messiest. It implies drawing the children’s hands with the required patterns to recreate the American flag, so they can “stamp” different surfaces (preferably paper or a clean canvas) in a heart-shaped symbol of patriotism.
10. Patriotic Slime
This is the ultimate craft idea for children because there is nothing more appealing to kids than getting their hands dirty and playing around with gooey stuff. To make slime, you only need some starch, some school glue, some good coloring, and a bunch of glitters. It is definitely the easiest solution to make a new product of interest for the youngsters.
11. Paper Bald Eagle
For this cute little patriotic craft, you’ll need basic supplies like construction paper, glue, scissors, pencils, and some googly eye. The project itself is super simple but can be a lot of fun for both parents and kids, especially when both parties are animal lovers.
12. Cardboard Eagle
The symbol of America, the bald eagle, is one of the strongest representations of the world’s most powerful nations. So, what if you would teach your child how to make cardboard eagles using just a few materials that you probably already have lying around the house (you might need to buy the googly eyes though).
13. Patriotic Pom Poms
Pom poms will never go out of style because there’s something about waving things that gets children super hyped. With this project, you can turn some dull materials into adorable themed pom poms that literally take less than an hour to make. Now all you need is a bunch of kids ready to sit still and cooperate…
14. Patriotic Windsock
This project is the perfect example that you can literally use toilet paper rolls for anything. This time, you can combine it with red, white, and blue yarn to create a patriotic windsock that could serve as a 4th of July decoration. If you’re a true patriot, you might as well keep it hanging in the garage all year round.
15. Uncle Sam Hat
There is no way you hear about Uncle Sam and not associate him with the fine image of a patriotic America. If you want your kids to share the love of nation spirit, you can encourage them to make their own little duct tape Uncle Sam hat. Make sure you supervise them because the project does imply the use of scissors.
16. Handprint Fireworks
Back to another construction paper project, only this time, there will be glitter involved! Let your kid’s love for their country sparkle in this simple, yet fun craft. By tracing your kid’s handprint and then cutting multiple copies of red, white, and blue paper, you can put together fireworks and sprinkle them for a more dramatic effect.
17. George Washington Paper Craft
If you’re looking for a patriotic kid’s craft that also teaches your little one a little bit of history, what better than a project that depicts the USA’s very first president and the leader who led America’s victory over Great Britain? With a few cotton balls, some colors, and scissors and glue, you can teach your kids to make their very own paper George Washington.
18. Patriotic Suncatcher Stars
Who knew that you could turn those dull coffee filters into amazing suncatcher decorations by adding just a bit of watercolor? They can be hung by a window or outside on the porch/patio and make for some really cool patriotic decorations that kids are going to have a blast making (because who doesn’t like working with watercolors, right?).
19. Stars and Stripes Tic-Tac-Toe
No child will ever refuse a quick game of Tic-Tac-Toe, and when you teach them how to make the game themselves, playing it becomes even more rewarding. This patriotic-themed game is a stars and stripes version of the classical X and O game that has been passed down from generation to generation.
20. Patriotic Necklace
The best part about making a patriotic necklace is that you don’t need that many items to get the project going. Most people already have scissors, string or thin yarn, and scotch tape around the house, which means that all they need to buy are some pony beads and red straws.
Elementary Crafts
21. Glittery Star Wands
What’s the 4th of July without some proper fireworks, and since children shouldn’t be allowed near them, then you can opt for a craft that provides the next best thing: star wands that are covered in glitter. They might also make excellent props for your girl’s upcoming fairy Halloween costume. And they’re just nice to look at, overall.
22. Stars & Stripes Mason Jars
Giving your old mason jars a new and stylish look in the spirit of celebrating the world’s most powerful nation seems like a project that you want to involve your kids in. While the project itself isn’t the most complicated, it’s definitely one that you want to be around for, since it involves using items like sandpaper and a wine cork.
23. Pinwheel Hair Clips
These pinwheel hair clips are amazing, and they look so cool that there’s a 9 out of 10 change they’ll be worn on pretty much any day of the year, not just the 4th of July. They are really easy to make and the pleasant combination of the three well-known colors is easy to accessorize with many different outfits.
24. Paper Bag Kite
There is something about raising a kite that really brings out the smiles in little humans, but what if you could actually teach them how to make their own American-themed kites? You won’t need much: some yarn, come crepe streamers, crafting sticks, paper bags, and stickers.
25. Outdoor Patriotic Decorations
With some plastic tablecloths, some florists wire, scissors, a fishing line, and a pair of pliers, you can end up making some really amazing decorations that will beautifully blow in the wind and infuse everyone with the spirit of what it means to be a true American.
26. Patriotic Noisemakers
Are you willing to give up some of your wooden spatulas for this crafting project? If not, you can always buy some really cheap ones on Amazon. The important thing to keep in mind is that they are the main resource required to make these patriotic noisemakers. Warning: excessive bell use might lead to adult migraines.
27. Statue of Liberty Crown and Torch Noise Maker
If you’re looking for a more “complicated” project that requires more materials and being a bit more meticulous, you can also opt for this one over here. Equip yourself with an arsenal made from cardboard tubes, some green pain, craft blue, yogurt cups and others and help your little one craft the crown of another one of America’s symbols: the Statue of Liberty.
28. Firecracker Popcorn Bags
If you’re ready to enjoy an awesome snack while you’re celebrating the 4th of July, having a bunch of themed popcorn bags seems almost mandatory. With just a bunch of colorful bags and a pair of scissors, you can create these beauties that can hold anything from pretzels to chocolate-covered raisins.
29. Paper White House
When you think about America’s landmark building, the White House pops up amongst the top 3 choices. You can’t talk to your children about patriotism without explaining the significance of the White House, and if you engage them in a craft that can actually help them make a miniature replica, even better. It’s a history lesson turned into practice by using fun!
30. Paper Chain American Flag
It is a well-known fact that kids love making paper chains, so why not put that love for working with paper to good use and teach them a new project that will help recreate the American flag by using paper chains in the country’s three colors? It’s fun, easy, and doesn’t require any expensive materials to complete.
31. Paper Tube Firecrackers
When people think about the 4th of July festivities, firecrackers often come to mind. While we would never encourage your kids to play with those, we can show you this craft that teaches them how to make replica firecrackers that make super neat decorations for the upcoming national festivities.
32. Pipe Cleaner Sparklers
Yes, you can make sparklers out of pipe cleaners, and it’s actually not that complicated. There’s basically a lot of twisting involved and your kids may not get it right the first time, but it is a super fun craft to try, one that doesn’t leave a mess behind for you to clean, and it beats the alternative of actually having to fight children over the fact that they aren’t allows to manipulate actual fireworks.
33. Glitter American Flag
Playing with glitter is a mess, but the results are awesome. Plus, the happiness children feel when they see glitter is totally worth it, so why not help them recreate the American flag using this one resource that drives parents mad (mostly because it gets all over the place) but makes children oh so happy?
34. Salt Dough Magnets
Since you can never really have enough magnets (this is your friendly neighborhood fridge magnet addict speaking), what if you teach your kids how to make some in the patriotic spirit? Everyone can have fun shaping dough, but this project will teach your little ones how to combine ingredients, while also making them get their hands dirty (something we know kids love to do).
35. Patriotic SunCatcher
This is another fun bead project that will result in a patriotic sun catcher that can literally be used throughout the entire summer. Made up from 9 rows of beads, this catcher doesn’t require a lot of investment in materials, as you mostly need beads, pipe cleaners, and a bunch of other materials that you most likely have lying around the house already.
36. Sparkless Sparklers
Sure, sparklers aren’t something you want your children to mess around with on the 4th of July (or any other day of the year for that matter), but that doesn’t mean that you can’t work on a craft that ends in something visually similar. This is where the spark-free sparklers come in, which are made from wooden chopsticks and some ribbon.
Tween/Teenager Crafts
37. Star Crown Headband
Making patriotic headbands is probably one of the easier and most rewarding projects of all. You can teach your kids how to make accessories they can proudly wear to honor their home country, while the process is simple and can render some pretty professional-looking results.
38. Patriotic Paper Lollies
If you plan on having a home barbeque for the 4th of July, these patriotic paper lollies will make the perfect table decorations. You can stick them in hot dogs, use them as centerpieces in bowls filled with three-colored candy, or you can use them to decorate drinks. Whatever the purpose, the kids will love making them.
39. DIY Washi Tape Star Decor
With just a bit of red, white, and blue tape, you can create themed stars that make perfect decorations for kids and adults who are top supporters of their nation. They can be hung inside the house in preparation for the 4th of July festivities, but they can also be placed in wicker baskets on the table and used to make patriotic centerpieces.
40. DIY Patriotic Pinwheels
Pinwheels may be a mystery to adults, but children do seem to have a lot of fun with them, so it’s not harmful if you engage the kids into making some patriotic-themed ones. Not only are pinwheels a symbol of summer, but they are also relatively easy to make and can provide so much fun for the kids that they’re absolutely worth the time.
41. 4th of July Barrettes
One really cool project that kids will love is making neat accessories from several objects. What if you could inspire them with love for the red, white, and blue by teaching them how to make barrettes? This is mostly a project for girls, but make sure they are old enough to work with beads and clips without ingesting them. Otherwise, supervise them in the process.
42. Patriotic Votive Candle Holders
In the spirit of patriotism and getting your kids to do something productive while they’re stuck at home, how about you work together on making some candle holders? This is a fun project that doesn’t require a whole lot of materials and you can end up having some neat candle holders that you can use over and over again.
43. Patriotic Paper Chain
If you want to inject that patriotic spirit into your child and also come up with a fun way to pass the time, making paper chains is always a handy draft which requires a minimum amount of resources. If you make it entertaining enough, you might just end up with enough paper chains to decorate the entire house (and then some).
44. Popsicle Stick Flags
Do you know what you could do with a bunch of popsicles and some paint? You could create miniature wooden flags that you can hand as patriotic decorations all around the house. They are super simple to make, everyone in the family can join in on the crafting fun, and they can be resistant enough to be used time and time again.
45. Clothespin Flag Wreath
Making a clothespin wreath is super easy if you have a bunch of wooden clothespins that you can dye in the American flag’s colors. Even after the patriotic festivities have ended, you can still use the pins for their intended purpose and then recreate the wreath again in no time. It’s one of the most practical projects out there, with zero resources wasted.
46. No-Sew Bandana Seat Cushions
Most of us can’t imagine a 4th of July without a traditional barbecue or at least trying to have some fun in the sun, even if it’s on our own porch. If you want to have your front or backyard decorated in the spirit of the celebration, you can teach your kids how to make bandana seat cushions for decorative and comfort purposes.
47. Patriotic Uncle Sam Centerpiece
When I first saw this project, I actually thought it was one of those awesomely decorated cakes. It is nothing more than a centerpiece, but one of tremendous effect and extremely eye-catching. There are a few materials that go into this project, but I’m sure it’s worth it to see the kids having fun with some floral foam or metallic spray. Plus, it gives teenagers a chance to put their phone down for once.
48. Fireworks Wreath
Trying to be unbiased, but this is one of my personal favorite patriotic kids crafts because you can have so much fun doing it even if you’re an adult. It mostly requires using some paper pinwheels, popsicle sticks, foam wreath form and foam star stickers, and all the patience you can get. But you have to admit, the end result looks really professional!
49. Patriotic Fan
4th of July is at the peak of summer, which means that temperatures will be all too generous and heat will be all around you. In the spirit of celebration, you can work with your kids to make patriotic fans out of paper plates and popsicle sticks. You can paint them in red and blue (since the paper plates are already white) and add some confetti, glitter, or whatever you feel adds more stunning visuals.
50. Patriotic Fabric Garland
The beauty of a patriotic garland is that it can serve as a decoration suitable for use the entire year. The fabrics have to be in the three flag colors, but you can choose between different patterns to create more diversity and add uniqueness to each particular piece. You can repurpose old napkins, tablecloths, bed sheets, and all you need are the extras: twine or ribbon and scissors.
51. Felt & Button Star Napkin Rings
If everything goes right and you can actually have a BBQ with your friends and family to celebrate the 4th of July festivities this year, you can have your kids work on these adorable napkin rings. Made from felt, the rings are centered on stars and stripes that are sewn together with cute white buttons. They will be something guests will totally appreciate, and it gives your kids a chance to contribute.
52. 10-Minute Votives
For a quick and easy project, you can create some patriotic votives that will spruce up any candle in the house and align it with the color schematic of the celebration in question. The project itself requires very basic crafting skills, which means kids won’t be very frustrated with not getting it right in the first try.
Conclusion
Encouraging children to pursue different craft is something that every parent should do and not just in an attempt to keep children busy. It is a way for them to develop better hand-eye coordination, to learn how to clean up after themselves, to understand how to manipulate different objects properly.
In this particular case, you will also strengthen the idea that one must love their country, in addition to spending quality time supervising them while they pursue these crafts. What other patriotic craft would you be willing to try with your kids?
