4th of July Mini Flag Craft

It had been at least two weeks since I had done any crafts with the kids *gasp* so it wasn't too surprising when Mia told me yesterday that she wanted to make a craft. I had been anticipating this and had been willing my brain to come up with something patriotic in time for the 4th of July. Fortunately, when she asked for a craft, those creative juices kicked in and I immediately thought of this super quick and easy flag craft. I promise that very young and even beginning crafters can kick this one out in under 5 minutes.

Materials:

• white construction paper
• scissors
• blue and red Bingo markers
• drinking straw
• tape

Directions:

1. Cut a rectangle out of white construction paper. (I folded the paper in sixths and cut out 1/6.)
2. Make a flag design by dotting on Bingo markers and allow the ink to dry. I used blue to make the corner of the flag and red to make stripes. My stripes aren't perfect, but I am pretending it's waving, so it's okay. Mia created her own design altogether. Note: I found our Bingo markers at Dollar Tree.
3. Use two pieces of tape to attach a drinking straw to the back of the paper.
4. Your flag is now ready to wave. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Other Ideas:

• If you don't have drinking straws, you can substitute pipe cleaners or tightly rolled newspaper that has been taped together to make the flag pole.
• You could also make mini American flags for Memorial Day, Flag Day, or Veteran's Day.
• Instead of American flags, consider making flags from other countries or even state flags to go along with geography studies.
• Invent your own flag like Mia did. You could create flags for different holidays or events: Halloween, Easter, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and birthdays come to mind.
• If you prefer, you could make triangular pennants in place of rectangular flags. 
• Skip the flag poles and make several flags or pennants and string them together to make a banner.
• Make several flags and put them in jars, aluminum cans, flower pots, or vases and use them as table decorations.