by Kimberly Sexton

Created on: June 10, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2008

Flag Day is an important holiday for children to understand. Until I was an adult, I didn't appreciate the holiday at all, because no one ever took the time to teach me the meaning of the holiday. This made me realize that children weren't being exposed to the significance of Flag Day. One of the best ways to instill an appreciation of our American flag in children's hearts is to make learning about it a fun activity. Since children learn best by play, Flag Day activities are a great way to teach the importance and history of our flag.

In order to assist a child in learning; however, it is important not to focus all of our energy on the activity itself. Before beginning on the activity, you may want to read them a children's book about the flag, helping them understand what our nation's flag is all about. One such book is called F Is For Flag, a Reading Railroad Book, written by Wendy Cheyette Lewison, with beautiful and vivid illustrations by Barbara Duke. Your children will love this endearing story which explains many facts and symbols of our country's flag. This book is very inexpensive, and sells on Amazon.com for under $5.

After the brief and exciting story, they will be ready to create their own special American flags. One activity, which is extremely easy, and geared toward preschool and kindergarten age children, is making an American flag with simple items found in the craft box: construction paper, tempera paint or finger paint, star stickers, star-shaped sponges, scissors, glue sticks, and dowel rods or Popsicle sticks.

Sit the child or children around the table or in a circle in the floor. There are two ways to go about this activity. One is to display an American flag in the room, so the children can get a good look at it, or some of the children may want to look at flag pictures in the book. Then give the children blue construction paper, white and red tempera paint, and sponges. They can then sponge on the red and white stripes and white stars, if you are using the tempera paint. If you are using finger paint, then you may need to put the paper on easels or position it on the floor, and let them "freehand" their creation.

Another idea, for more advanced children, is to give them red, white, and blue paper and star stickers. They can cut out the stripes, glue them on the paper and add the star stickers. Just make sure to always monitor children carefully when they are using scissors. When all of the flags are dry, dowel rods or Popsicle sticks may be attached with glue or tape. Actually, a hot glue gun works best, because it makes the flag more stable; however, if you choose to do this, it must be done by an adult.

Either way, the children end up with their own flags to take home, put up in their rooms, or display in their front yards. They have a unique way of celebrating Flag Day! In addition, they can retell the flag story from the book.

A wonderful closing event is for everyone to hold their flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing a patriotic song together. This is a very simple activity, but it teaches a bit about history, and the children learn while having fun. They also have their own American flags, which they made to celebrate Flag Day.

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