Badge: Independence Day Crafts

Let’s start with the red, white and blue to craft a wonderful July 4th.You can also pull craft ideas from other patriotic holidays, so keep an eye out for those that interest you.

Steps

1. Red, white and blue.

When it comes to Independence Day, you’ll mainly see three colors. You can decorate wreaths with patriotic ribbon, use food coloring for sidewalk paint, make accessories for yourself, decorate your house and more. As you look through the following steps, brainstorm ways you can incorporate patriotic colors of the holiday into your celebration.

2. Stars and stripes.

Another important part of art and crafts is the use of stars and stripes to signify the American flag. As you look at the offerings from any store, you’ll see these are predominant. How can you incorporate these shapes into your holiday crafts?

3. Symbols.

Other symbols such as Uncle Sam’s top hat, the American eagle and the letters “USA” can also be incorporated. Make a list of symbols and designs that remind you of Independence Day.

4. Shapes.

Shapes also can be incorporated into your Independence Day crafts. These include:

Banner / pennant
Firecracker
Fireworks
Flag
Liberty bell
Number “4”
Rocket
Starburst
Statue of Liberty
US map

Of course, shapes, symbols and colors all combine together into many possibilities. Keep these in mind as you’re crafting for the holiday.

Make It!

5. Craft.

Making your materials can often be part of crafting. Rolling patriotic paper beads, making sidewalk paint or even making patriotic colored lanterns to light your sidewalk can all incorporate both crafting with activities. Kids are often bored when they are at large gatherings. By preparing booths or stations with items they can make and take, you can keep them active while keeping them engaged.

You can also make your crafting activities more “freestyle” by allowing them to create their own art expressing how they feel about the fourth of July, illustrate our history or just express their freedom.

Brainstorm the possibilities of activities that include crafting part or all of the items you need.

6. Decorations.

How are you going to decorate for the holiday? Making your own garlands, table settings and household decorations adds to the holidays. It also allows everyone a chance to participate. Explore online for ideas on how you can incorporate decorations into your holiday celebration. Remember to proudly display your red, white and blue.

7. Street art.

Street art can be non-permanent or permanent. Chalk, paint, fiber, stencil and printable street art can all be used to support the holiday. Instead of doing this individually, plan a group meeting and ask everyone to decorate the start of a parade route, dress up the houses where veterans live or find other means to incorporate this type of expression. Brainstorm a variety of ways you can incorporate street art into a patriotic celebration.

8. Wind crafts.

Wind crafts such as pinwheels, wind socks, wind chimes and spinners can all use the colors and shapes to celebrate the holiday. This can be as simple as paper tubes with streamers for a windsock or shell casings used in a wind chime. Make or design a wind craft with a patriotic theme.

9. Clothing.

Why just dress in red, white and blue? Try tie-dying, painting or other ways to decorate your clothing for the holiday. You might even want to make a special scarf or hat for the occasion.

10. Accessories.

Make small accessories or even paint your face to celebrate the holiday. Dress up your wardrobe (or yourself) to show your support. If you’re making something small, you might choose to make extras to share with others as a random act of kindness.

SWAPs are a great way to make something small you can share to wear. You can also make these to share with others. Check out the Enrichment Project “SWAPS” to learn more about the possibilities.

Supplements

SUPP_ID_Crafts_2in_12up_larajla

Avery 2.5” round label printable, 12 up

SUPP_ ID_Crafts_Checklist_larajla

Badge checklist

SUPP_Color Fun_US Flag_larajla

US flag to color

SUPP_Printable_SA_Share Freedom_larajla.pdf

Printable you can use as street art to share freedom (top half flat with “freedom” to tear off)

SUPP_Printable_USA_Airplane_larajla.pdf

Printable paper airplanes featuring stars and stripes

SUPP_Printable_USA Cootie Catcher_larajla.pdf

Print and fold your own holiday cootie catcher

SUPP_Printable_USA Paddle Fan_larajla.pdf

Create a fan you can use while watching a parade

SUPP_Printable_USA Pinwheel 1_larajla.pdf

Red, white and blue pinwheel to print and assemble, with instructions

SUPP_Printable_USA Pinwheel 12_larajla.pdf

Blue and white pinwheel to print and assemble, with instructions

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Charmed USA_larajla.pdf

SWAP: USA Charm for SWAP, earrings, zipper pull, etc.

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Mini Flag_larajla.pdf

SWAP: Mini flags for countries

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Patriotic Bandana_larajla.pdf

SWAP: Patriotic bandana with bead

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Patriotic Wreath_larajla.pdf

SWAP: Patriotic wreath with beads

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Shooting Star_larajla.pdf

SWAP: Shooting star (white) with colored “streamers” or similar

SUPP_SWAP Fun_Simple Roll Bead_larajla.pdf

SWAP: Simple Rolled Bead with additional star for holiday

Sites to Explore

Get the infographic here > larajla blog post

Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs