American Flag Crafts and Activities

The Progressive Mining Flag Game is a fun way to teach kids about the American flag's history. Play a unique version of this popular Victorian game. This game requires a steady hand while playing.

How to Make the Progressive Flag Mining Game

What You'll Need:

Step One: To make the game, fill small containers with sand. These are known as "mines."

Step Two: Cut a 4 x 3-inch square of paper for each of the mines. On each square, draw one of the different stages of the American flag, beginning with the original design, up to our present-day flag.

Step Three: Glue the end of each paper flag to a wooden skewer, and when the glue dries, stick a flag into each of the mines.

Step Four: Cut a little off the end of each straw (one for each player) to make a shovel shape. For every 2 players there must be 1 mine.

Step Five: Players then take turns using the plastic straws to remove a bit of sand and placing it in an empty cup or bowl. Whichever team makes the flag fall while removing sand loses the game.

Encourage your kids to express how they feel about freedom by performing a Free-Form Freedom Rap. Read about it on the next page.

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The Free-Form Freedom Rap encourages your kids to write a rap song to celebrate Freedom. Freedom is something to sing about, so write a rhyming poem and make up your own freedom rap song.

How to Make a Free-Form Freedom Rap

What You'll Need:

Step One: Brainstorm a list of words and ideas that remind you of freedom and the Fourth of July or June 19, the day that celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation.

Step Two: Then think of words that rhyme with this list. For example, June and moon, free and honeybee, nineteen and keen.

Step Three: Write rhyming sentences that use these words, such as: "One fine June, I saw a beautiful moon. The date was June nineteen, and it sure was keen. Because now I am free, just like the honeybee!"

Step Four: When you finish your rhyme, clap out a rhythm with wooden blocks, and say it like a rap. Teach it to a friend, and make up a dance to go with it!

Teach your kids how to make a Freedom Flag to celebrate our great nation. Get directions on how to make a Freedom Flag on the next page.

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After your kids make a Freedom Flag, they can wave the flag of freedom high! This flag will look great waving in the Fourth of July parade.

How to Make a Freedom Flag

What You'll Need:

Step One: To make the flag, glue or staple the short edge of the fabric to a wooden dowel. Leave 2 inches of dowel showing at the top to tie on yarn or ribbon streamers. The rest of the dowel will be your flag's handle.

Step Two: Decorate your flag by cutting the word "Freedom" out of felt or fabric scraps and gluing them onto the canvas. Paint designs around the word with fabric paint. You might want to draw President Lincoln or President Washington on your flag. Think of what the Fourth of July means to you and what pictures you can draw to show your feelings.

Step Three: Then wave your Freedom Flag with pride as you march down the street.

ABOUT THE CRAFT DESIGNERS

Progressive Flag Mining Game by Lisa Lerner and Kersten Hamilton

Free-Form Freedom Rap by Lisa Lerner and Kersten Hamilton

Freedom Flag by Lisa Lerner and Kersten Hamilton

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