Patriotic Baton Craft
Strike up the band and start the parade! Kids can join the fun with their own Patriotic Baton Craft made from a recycled gift wrap tube. This easy cardboard tube craft is perfect for the Fourth of July, Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, classroom celebrations, or a red, white, and blue parade around the backyard.
This recycled craft is simple enough for young crafters and makes a cheerful accessory for holiday crafts, patriotic classroom activities, and summer celebrations.
Fun Facts
The stripes on the American flag represent the original 13 colonies, and the stars represent the 50 states. The flag colors have special meanings too. Red represents hardiness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Supplies
- Long paper tube from gift wrap
- Red, white, and blue colored tape
- Red and white curling ribbon
- Star stickers
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Instructions
- Wrap red tape around one end of the paper tube.
- Wrap a stripe of white tape next to it, then another stripe of red tape. Continue alternating red and white stripes until you have about ten stripes.
- Repeat the red and white striped pattern on the other end of the tube.
- Wrap the remaining middle section of the tube with blue tape.
- Cut ten pieces of red and white curling ribbon, each about 2 feet long.
- Curl the ribbon carefully using the edge of a scissor. Adult help may be needed for younger children.
- Tape or glue the curled ribbons inside one end of the baton.
- Repeat with more curled ribbons on the other end.
- Add star stickers to the blue section to finish your patriotic baton.
Craft Tips
- Gift wrap tubes work best because they are longer than paper towel tubes, but paper towel tubes can be taped together if needed.
- Colored tape makes this craft quick and neat, but kids can also use construction paper strips, paint, or markers.
- For extra sparkle, add silver star stickers, glitter tape, or metallic curling ribbon.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
No printable pattern is needed for this easy craft for kids. Just gather your supplies and decorate your recycled cardboard tube with red, white, and blue tape, ribbons, and stars.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Turn this Patriotic Baton Craft into a fun classroom activity by pairing it with a short lesson about American symbols. Talk with students about the meaning of the stars, stripes, and colors on the flag.
You can also let students use their batons in a classroom parade. Have each child write one sentence about what they are celebrating, such as freedom, community helpers, veterans, or their classroom community. This makes the craft a simple mix of art, social studies, and writing practice.
Supplies
Instructions
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
