Fuzzy Stick American Flag

History & Social Studies
Grades 4-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 1-3

Decorate any space with this handmade fuzzy stick American flag craft just in time for Independence Day!

Materials

Red Fuzzy Sticks
White Fuzzy Sticks
Blue Fuzzy Sticks
Glitter Star Foam Stickers
Wood Dowels

Scissors

Instructions

Step 1.

Wrap 12 white and 14 red fuzzy sticks around a long wooden dowel to create spirals.

Step 1.

Wrap 12 white and 14 red fuzzy sticks around a long wooden dowel to create spirals.

Step 2.

Beginning at the bottom, attach the first row of 2 red fuzzy sticks to a wooden dowel on the left side.

Step 2.

Beginning at the bottom, attach the first row of 2 red fuzzy sticks to a wooden dowel on the left side.

Step 3.

Alternate colors with 2 fuzzy sticks per row; 3 rows of red and 3 rows of white.

Step 3.

Alternate colors with 2 fuzzy sticks per row; 3 rows of red and 3 rows of white.

Step 4.

Cut 7 blue fuzzy sticks in half to create 14 pieces total. Then wrap them around a dowel to create spirals.

Step 4.

Cut 7 blue fuzzy sticks in half to create 14 pieces total. Then wrap them around a dowel to create spirals.

Step 5.

Attach the blue fuzzy stick halves to the remaining red and white fuzzy sticks. Then, attach them to the dowel. Trim the red and white fuzzy sticks to match the length of the existing fuzzy stick rows.

Step 5.

Step 6.

Continue alternating colors until you have 13 double rows of fuzzy sticks.

Step 6.

Continue alternating colors until you have 13 double rows of fuzzy sticks.

Step 7.

Cut a wooden dowel the same size as all of the rows of your flag, then wrap the ends of each fuzzy stick around the shortened dowel.

Step 7.

Cut a wooden dowel the same size as all of the rows of your flag, then wrap the ends of each fuzzy stick around the shortened dowel.

Step 8.

Decorate the blue fuzzy sticks with white glitter foam star stickers.

Step 8.

Decorate the blue fuzzy sticks with white glitter foam star stickers.

Step 9.

Tie cording to the top wooden dowel to easily hang up your flag craft.

Step 9.

Tie cording to the top wooden dowel to easily hang up your flag craft.

Step 10.

Your flag is now complete! Display it proudly for a patriotic holiday!

Step 10.

Your flag is now complete! Display it proudly for a patriotic holiday!

Teacher's Corner

This Independence Day, discover the history of the American flag and wave your own fuzzy stick flag high!

Lesson Objectives

Stars & Stripes: The symbols on a flag display the values of a certain country, organization, or team. What symbols can your students find on the American flag? It uses 50 white stars to represent each state and 13 red and white stripes to symbolize the first colonies. How many stars will fit on their fuzzy stick flag?
Red, White & Blue: The fuzzy stick colors are symbolic, just like the foam stars! The American flag uses red to symbolize valor, white to represent purity, and blue to signify perseverance and justice! Get those imaginations going — if your students had their own countries, what colors would be on their flags?

Follow-up Discussion

The inspiration, design, and regulations of the American flag have a long and interesting origins story, which is the reason people are proud to fly it. As a class, explore the history of the flag with PBS — it may surprise you where the flag has been!