This post may contain affiliate ads at no cost to you. See my disclosures for more information.
We’ve been focusing a lot on the upcoming 4th of July holiday, and both QBoy and XGirl have taken a particular interest in the American flag. When we are out and about, they constantly point out the American flags they see. So of course, it was only natural that we make our own! To make this a unique art project with a sensory component, I decided to have my kids do a sticky paper American flag.
Note: For more 4th of July activities and printables, see my 4th of July activities page.
To do this sticky paper American flag craft, I first printed a simplified version of the American flag (which you can download
I added pieces of double sided tape to each corner of the flag.
Then I cut out a piece of clear contact paper to match the size of the flag.
I pressed the clear contact paper down onto the tape so it would adhere to the image of the flag. Note that the clear contact paper was laid so that the backing was facing up. Thus, when I removed the backing the sticky side would be up.
Finally, I gathered our tissue paper squares so the kids could begin creating their own flag.
I took the backing off the clear contact paper and then let the kids crumple up matching colored tissue paper squares to stick to their flags.
XGirl started with the stars.
QBoy started with the stripes.
This activity provided a great opportunity to develop fine motor skills.
And it also provided a great opportunity to talk about the colors of the flag and the various aspects of the flag.
XGirl ran out of steam while creating her flag, so she only ended up with stars and red stripes. I like to call her creation more of an abstract take on the American flag. 🙂
QBoy worked diligently on his flag until he had it all filled in, and it turned out beautifully!
More 4th of July resources
More 4th of July posts from Gift of Curiosity:
- Books about the American flag
- 4th of July Montessori activities
- Fireworks in a jar
- 4th of July sensory bin
- 4th of July Printables Pack
- 4th of July do-a-dot printables
- 4th of July Bingo
- 4th of July Sudoku
- American flag printables
For more 4th of July activities, see me 4th of July Activities page and my 4th of July Pinterest board.
Follow Gift of Curiosity’s board 4th of July on Pinterest.
Products mentioned in this post:
Nicole Copeland
Very neat!! We are doing flags this week too 🙂
Katie
It’s the perfect week for flags! With all our emphasis on flags lately, my kids have been spotting and pointing out American flags all over the place in recent days.
Growing Up Madison
What a great idea. Love the final results too. You may just have to go back and help XGirl finish hers. 🙂 Visiting from our buddy group.
Katie
Ha ha about finishing XGirl’s work for her. 🙂 Sometimes I really want her to finish something but I do my best to let them do their art their own way without too much meddling on my part. 🙂
TheBargainbabe
Ooh reverse contact paper! What a great idea!
Terra
I really like that idea!
Valerie
Perfect tactile skill for little fingers! 🙂
Katie
I agree! Great for fine motor skill practice!
Capri + 3--Theresa
That is a great festive flag craft. Please link this to Artsy Play Wednesday (happening now).
Eschelle Westwood
That is a GREAT idea I will have to pin this for later, can apply to so many things!
kewkew
This is a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing
Carrie
What a great idea!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
Kristen B
That turned out great! I really need to get some sticky paper for my preschooler. It looks so fun.
Katie
We’ve had lots of fun with sticky paper, and I have a few more activity ideas up my sleeve as well! Thanks for stopping by.
Katie
Thanks for featuring our activity Mary Catherine!
Carla
This is adorable! I love the reverse-contact-paper method you used! Thanks so much for linking this up at Teach Me Tuesday at Preschool Powol Packets!!