Patriotic holidays are some of our favorites. We have pride for this country because it is our home, but also because my husband served in and deployed with the Army. As well as the grandparents on my husband's and my side of the family. We have some sort of patriotic decorations in our home all 365 days of the year, but we make extra when it comes to patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and of course the Fourth of July. So for this year we decided to make something we could hang up all summer long - a fingerprint painted patriotic windsock craft that kids can decorate how they choose.
Patriotic Windsock Craft Tutorial
This fun windsock is the perfect summer craft and decoration. We love spending time outside during the summer and hanging this on the porch or patio is the perfect way to watch the wind during the summer months. Plus, if we can remember to bring it out of the rain, it could last for years to come. If you're like me, you'll love to see your child's fingerprints years after this fun craft is made!
This is also a fantastic craft because it incorporates recycling. We don't have the option to technically recycle in our neighborhood, so we do what we can. Part of this is to use recyclable material in our crafting, like toilet paper rolls. We also made this cute ripped paper star wreath for kids, that turned out really cute and patriotic.
Supplies Used:
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- Toilet Paper Roll
- Red, White and Blue Crayola Washable Paint
or other finger paint - White Cardstock
- Glue Stick
- Red, White and Blue Ribbon
- Scissors
- Red, White and Blue Star Stickers (Optional)
or other finger paint
See also: Make math fun with a printable count to 100 fingerprint flag.
Instructions:
We started by cutting a piece of cardstock to match the size of the toilet paper roll.
I opened each paint container and had my daughter dip her finger in one color. She dotted her finger on the white paper in random places until she needed to dip her finger again.
We repeated the process with the other two colors until the white paper was covered in red, white and blue dots.
In a few of the empty places my daughter put star stickers. You could also use stamps, glitter, and so on. We set the paper to the side to let the paint dry.
While the paint dried we started on the ribbon, cutting strips in random lengths from 3 inches to 6 inches. Glue one end of each strip of ribbon on the inside of the toilet paper roll. We tried to space them out evenly. How many pieces of ribbon you use here is up to you.
We took a long piece of ribbon and glued them to the inside of the opposite side of the toilet paper roll. This piece is what will be used to hang the wind sock, so the length, again, is up to you. Let the glue dry.
Once the glue and the paint were both dry, we glued the fingerprint painted paper to the outside of the toilet paper roll. I used a few stickers to make sure the floating end stayed in place.
→ You might also enjoy trying this handprint patriotic eagle craft.
We love this project so much! My husband loves that my daughter has taken a warming to red, white and blue just as we have. She may not completely understand the meaning behind the colors, the flag, the time my husband was in the Army or what patriotism means, but she's on her way.
Making patriotic crafts, like this fingerprint patriotic windsock or this patriotic painted pasta banner, is a fantastic way to introduce symbolism to children and get them in the spirit of patriotism.
