Make a Paper Plate Fan to Celebrate the Fourth of July
Happy Independence Day! The Fourth of July is the perfect time to talk with children about America’s history! And what better way to do it than while you’re crafting together? Not only will this paper plate fan help you stay cool on Independence Day, it’s also a fun and simple craft to make with children. Explain the significance of the American flag and its stars and stripes as you craft a fan together.
As Andy and the gang learn in Let’s Go Luna, the United States was formed by a group of people who wanted independence. The fact that we gained that independence is the reason for our Fourth of July celebrations! Different people celebrate in different ways. Some celebrate with flags and fireworks, while others celebrate with stories about our nation’s heroes or remembering those who have protected other’s rights. All of these thought starters are perfect for sharing with your child as you create this flag craft.
Materials
Directions
Start by folding your paper plate in half. Glue the rounded edge together with a bit of hot glue. For safety, glue guns should only be used by adults or older children. If no glue gun is available, a stapler is a great alternative. Just place a few staples along the rounded edge.
Have your child color the left half of the plate blue and the right half red, using crayons, paint, or paint sticks.
On a new plate or a piece of white paper, use a pencil to draw stars and stripes. Older children may be able to do this step on their own. While you’re creating the stars and stripes, discuss with your child how many stars and stripes are on our actual American flag.
If your child can handle scissors, have them cut out the stars and stripes. While they cut, you can chat more about the flag. Ask questions like: “Do you know what the stars and stripes stand for?” The 50 stars represent the 50 United States, while the stripes represent the original 13 colonies.
Once the stars and stripes are cut, have your child use a glue stick to glue stars on the blue side of the plate and stripes on the red side. Explain that we’re not making our flag exactly like the real flag, so we probably won’t have 50 stars and 13 stripes.
Once the stars and stripes are glued on, use the glue gun to glue a popsicle stick to the blank side of your fan. If no glue gun is available, just secure with a few strips of tape.
Use your fan to cool off on a hot day to celebrate and remember our nation’s history!
Now stay cool on the Fourth of July with your paper plate fan! Creating this project together is a perfect chance to talk more with your child about our nation and how it began. As Luna reminds us, when our nation was being formed, Native Americans, people of African descent, and others were treated unfairly. The Fourth of July is a time to celebrate the progress we’ve made since that time, and look forward to the work that is still to be done on the road to independence and equality for all.
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