Guest Author - Alissa Moy
Red, white and blue crafts are not only patriotic, they are also popular! Memorial Day ushers in a sense of American pride, and a wistful yearning for summer. Your preschooler is either on summer vacation, or finishing up the school year. Why not plan some fun and easy patriotic themed crafts to do with your child? Even preschool teachers will find some awesome ideas for classroom crafts to enjoy during end of the year festivities!
Flag Fun- Your patriotic preschool crew will love making simple flags out of craft sticks, construction paper and cotton balls! Try out the craft below:
1 large bag of cotton balls or puffs
1 medium bag of craft sticks
Glue or paste
Red, White and blue construction paper
Red, White and Blue paints
Red, White and Blue glitter
Red, White and Blue pipe cleaners
1 medium to large piece of cardboard for the flag base
1 12 inch ruler
White star stickers
Have your child use the large cardboard piece as a base for his or her flag. Next, your child can use the craft sticks as the stripes... but in their own creative way! For instance, your preschooler may want to cut red and white strips of construction paper to paste over the craft sticks. Or, your child may wish to paint the sticks, or use glitter to make sparkly stripes! Pipe cleaners in red and white can be glued on the craft sticks as well. Cotton balls are suggested for the child that wishes to make a 3-D effect and have the white stripes "pop"! After the stripes your child has chosen have dried and set he or she can work on the stars portion of their flag. Your child may wish to use a cut piece of blue construction paper for the stars section, and use white star stickers, too. Cotton balls work in place of stars, or glitter glue stars. Even painted stars will look great! After everything is dry you can assist your preschooler in affixing the ruler on the flag as a holder, using masking tape on the back. Use your flag in a parade or as a beautiful table decoration for your Memorial Day barbeque!
Patriotic Wreath- This craft is simple and fun! Gather red, white and blue paints (finger paints are good, too) and have your child do red, white and blue hand prints in a circle on a large white sheet of paper. Help your child cut the wreath out in a circle form and glue it on heavy cardboard. Punch a hole in the top and string a red, white and blue ribbon through it! Voila! An instant decoration for Memorial Day weekend!
Fireworks Galore Picture- Use a black large piece of construction paper to be the night scene base for your child's picture. He or she can use neon crayons, glitter glue, neon markers, or a combination of these to make a super cool fireworks picture!