The summer is the season for all things patriotic.. and there’s nothing more patriotic than the American flag! This week we celebrate Flag Day, established as an official holiday by President Harry Truman in 1949. What better way to celebrate than to share fun facts about the American flag for kids, and let them create their own.

The American Flag for Kids – Fun Facts

Before the girls created their American flags, we spent a few minutes learning about the history of our nation’s most prevalent symbol. A few summer’s ago, on a holiday weekend visit to my in-laws, we occupied the girls in the car by playing I Spy an American Flag; for kids, an easy game to play, especially from Memorial Day through July 4th when you can spot flags just about everywhere.

Given our game, they were quite familiar with the basics – stars and stripes, red, white and blue. But my 5 year old especially was very interested in the specifics. Download and print our Flag Facts printable to use as a guide for crafting your own American flags!

The one page printable features two columns, which allows the sheet to easily be cut in half. The left half covers brief facts about the American flag for kids, including the flag’s origin, the establishment of Flag Day, and how our flag has changed over the years. The right half outlines the current physical features of the flag, and what the features and colors represent.

American Flag for Kids Craft Supplies

You can choose from any range of craft supplies to craft your American flags. I’m a huge fan of using contact paper in lieu of glue for crafting with heavier supplies – I consider it the ‘great crafting equalizer’, allowing both my 3 year old and 5 year old (and sometimes even my 1 year old) to do projects together with less frustrations.

To invite your kids to create their own American flags, we recommend the following craft supplies:

Craft sticks
Crayola Markers – red and blue
Small star stickers
Red and white striped paper straws
Blue paper straws with stars
Contact paper

I found our paper straws in the Dollar Spot at Target, but you can choose just to use and color craft sticks as well. I set up the supplies in our favorite project organizer – a Dollar Store dip tray – and displayed the American Flag Fun Facts Printable using $1 Ikea frames.

How to Make An American Flag for Kids Craft

After reviewing the brief history of the American flag, and the specifics about its features, I cut each child a piece of contact paper large enough to create their flag. Remove the backing and lay the contact paper sticky side up. You can use masking tape or painters’ tape to hold the contact paper on the table. Then, I let them create a flag as they saw fit.

My 3 year old was all about creative expression, using all the craft supplies, while incorporating all the main components – stars, stripes and red, white and blue.

My 5 year old, an unequivocal perfectionist, was about matching every detail precisely… down to the stars in the field of blue. Did you know the stars appear in alternating rows of six stars and five stars? I didn’t either – she counted before placing her star stickers.

When they are finished making their American flags, place another piece of contact paper, sticky side down over the top. Seal the contact paper to the piece below around the outer edges, and cut off any excess, leaving a 1/4 inch border.

I love how the end results completely reflect my girls diverse personalities – my Type A, regimented rule follower and my free, creative spirit!

A fun patriotic, American flag for kids craft AND a US history lesson in one! Don’t forget to download your FREE American flag facts printable. For more Patriotic fun, be sure to check out our favorite summer treat – No Dye Red, White and Blue Cookies. You might also enjoy this 4th of July Scavenger Hunt from Sunny Day Family, or our July 4th Sensory Play with Ice!

You can find all of these and more on our Patriotic board on Pinterest!

Related Post: No Dye Red, White & Blue Cookies

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