Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Kid Art: Popsicle Flag Craft

I’ve want to share this cute little popsicle flag that Ryan did years ago, and still hangs on my bulletin board today. There are several ways to go about this craft, so you can customize it according to the age and artsy ability of your kids.

flag popsicle craft

Since I didn’t take pictures when Ryan made the first popsicle flag, I asked Mitch to make one for the blog! Mitch made this new flag as a seven year old, so his version is a little more sophisticated.

Popsicle Flag Craft

The one Ryan made when he was four was super simple, and was done at a MOMS Club meeting. One of the moms cut popsicle sticks in half for the blue field. Then the kids painted the sticks red and blue. The “white” sticks were left plain, but you could break out the white paint if you like. You’ll need 5 red sticks, 5 white sticks and 5 half sticks that are blue. You also need two sticks for the frame–we used two plain sticks. Altogether the craft has 15 sticks.

A real flag would have 13 stripes, but it loses the rectangular shape if you try that with Popsicle sticks. Besides, there’s no way we’re getting 50 stars on this sucker either. It’s a craft, not something we’re running up the flag pole.

If you have no patience for drying paint, you could also color the sticks with markers, maybe even crayons. I’m thinking the Color Slicks we have from Crayola would do a good job.

After the sticks are dry, start a frame with two vertical sticks. Then start placing the red and white/plain sticks on horizontally. Use white glue to stick them on.

Next layer on five blues sticks (remember, these should be cut in half) in the corner. Glue in place.

Now glue on white star shapes. These can come from a star shaped hole punch, or maybe you have some stickers laying around. Let the kid place them as he or she likes, it’s cuter that way. (No stars handy? Then just go with white dots!)

The mom who set up this craft had drilled holes in the vertical Popsicle sticks first. I can not for the life of me remember how she did that. Perhaps a Dremel tool? If you can’t think of a way to put holes in it either, I would suggest skipping the wire hanger an gluing a piece of twine or yarn to the back. Or you can glue a strong magnet to the back. Go ahead and get creative.

Follow stlMotherhood’s board Fourth of July on Pinterest.