by Linda Alter

Created on: September 28, 2008   Last Updated: March 06, 2012

Flag Day can be a fun and unique experience for kids! It doesn't have to be the same old boring flag made from colored construction paper and glue!

• Idea One: Send home a note to have the kids dress in red, white and blue on Flag Day.  Go to the library and get a book out on Flag Day that is age-appropriate. Read a story about Betsy Ross, or about the history of the American flag.

• Idea Two: Make a flag magnet!

Items Needed:

  • Construction paper or felt in colors red, white and blue
  • Magnet tape (can be bought at craft stores) cut in a small square
  • Scissors
  • Elmers glue
  • Stick on red white and blue stars
  • Juice can
  • Pencil

Instructions:

Use the juice can and pencil to trace circles onto the construction paper or felt. Cut out the circles. This is your base. It is best to use white for backing/base.

Now, measure the red stripes and cut them out. A younger child may need help here. You will want to glue them onto the lower half of the circle, about 1/3 of the way down, with white in between the red, so that it is red/white/red/white. Make the stripes thin!

You will want a blue backing for the top, so measure and cut a blue backing for the top. Glue it on, and then stick the stars on it. That is your flag! Trim the edges so it looks neat, add ribbon along the edges if you wish, and stick your magnet on the back. Let it dry completely.

• Idea Three:  Make a tissue flag!

Materials Needed:

  • Red, white and blue tissue paper 
  • White heavy construction paper 
  • Elmers glue 
  • Pen with a flat bottom 
  • Long pipe cleaner
  • Pencil

Directions:

Draw with a pencil, the lines of the flag on the white paper. This is going to be your base. You will be gluing the tissue onto this.

Precut the pieces of tissue into small squares about 1-2 inch squares. Since the top part of the flag is blue with white stars you will want to alternate blue and white in the top left corner. Take a blue piece of tissue and put the bottom of the pen in the middle of the tissue, and wrap the tissue around the pen. Place some glue on the bottom of the tissue and stick it to the white paper up at the top left corner. Use your own discretion and place another blue tissue, and then a white "star". Remember, you don't want too many stars, as to make the flag lopsided; it's not going to be true to size! Keep gluing, row by row, till you get to the end of the line where you marked the area for the blue and white, then start the red and white stripes. Do the same procedure for the stripes. When you are done, let it dry completely, then take the pipe cleaner, and glue it to the back of the flag. You have a nice hanging flag to send home with the kids!

Follow up:

Discuss what the flag stands for! The Flag stands for freedom, the stars represent the colonies, and the red and white stripes represent the separation of the Americas and Britain. Of course, depending on the age, you will have to discuss this in age appropriate language! Patriotism can be taught at a very young age, and all of us should be aware of flag day. If we live in the USA, we should be proud of our flag and what it represents!

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