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Olympic Medals Craft

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

Win the gold, silver, and bronze in crafting! Create your own medals with glitter foam and friendship thread in six easy steps!

Then, wear the medals & cheer on your favorite Olympians during the Games!

Materials

Glitter Foam (Gold, Silver and Bronze)
Friendship Thread
Glitter (Optional)

Glue or Tape

Scissors

Pencil

Paper/Plastic Cup

Ruler

Instructions

Step 1.

Gather your materials! We used glitter foam sheets — if you don’t have glitter foam, cover regular foam, construction paper, or cardboard with a thin layer of glue, then add glitter and let it dry!

Step 1.

Step 2.

Trace a circle onto the back of your foam using a cup and a pencil.

Step 2.

Trace a circle onto the back of your foam using a cup and a pencil.

Step 3.

Carefully cut out your gold, silver, and bronze circles!

Step 3.

Carefully cut out your gold, silver, and bronze circles!

Step 4.

Cut 6 strands of friendship thread to approximately 18 inches long — or measure the thread around your neck to make sure it fits comfortably and cut the length you’ll need for your medal.

Step 4.

Cut 6 strands of friendship thread to approximately 18 inches long — or measure the thread around your neck to make sure it fits comfortably and cut the length you’ll need for your medal.

Step 5.

Glue or tape each end of the friendship thread to the back of your glitter foam medal!

Step 5.

Glue or tape each end of the friendship thread to the back of your glitter foam medal!

Step 6.

Wear or display your medals to celebrate the Olympic Games!

Step 6.

Wear or display your medals to celebrate the Olympic Games!

Teacher's Corner

Strive for your own gold, silver, and bronze foam medals with inspiration from past & present Olympic Games!

Lesson Objectives

Ancient Prize: Traditionally, the winning prize in the early Olympics was a crown of olive leaves cut from the sacred tree in Olympia — it represented victory and excellence. The modern tradition of medals began in 1896 when Athens first held the Games — but did you know gold medals are actually at least 92.5% silver plated with gold?!
The Winner is: The swimmer Michael Phelps holds the record for most gold medals won at the Olympics with a total of 23! To date, only five athletes have won medals in both the Summer and Winter Games. Discover the history of the medals’ designs — can your students recreate their favorite on glitter foam?

Follow-up Discussion

Are your students passionate about the sports they play? What drives them to stay dedicated? Watch 10 of the greatest Olympic moments to remind your students that they can achieve anything they put their minds to — then inspire them to set goals for their personal achievements in class!