With Memorial Day right around the corner, here are educational US history art projects and patriotic crafts. Use patriotic crafts
for 4th of July holiday art projects too.
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Homemade dough, putty, paint. Kids in US history typically had few toys, so
they made fun with found materials. Turn the back yard into an old-school
chemistry lab. Here are recipes for silly putty, moon sand, play dough and other media for patriotic crafts and
art projects. If you have a natural clay deposit, mine your own. Make clay pots
or marbles (a favorite old-times game). Concoct homemade fabric paint mixing
tempera and Elmer's School Glue or powdered milk. Teach chemistry and experimenting
with paint recipes for Memorial Day and 4th of July art projects from Nate and Rachel (safe enough for toddler crafts).
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Decorate tote bags. In times past, kids art projects were learning activities.
Use US history patriotic holiday crafts to teach simple sewing, math and life
skills lessons. Repurpose fabric tablecloths, sheets, blankets, pillow cases,
towels. Have kids measure and cut two matching squares. Sew three sides of squares
together by machine or with needle and thread. Turn inside out. Fold and sew a
hem around the top edge. Braid scrap yarn, rope, twine, into handles. Attach
and decorate with homemade paint.
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Family tablecloth. Family was important, elders were respected and everyone
worked together in olden times. Hand print a clean plain-colored flat sheet or
polar fleece blanket with fabric paint (see recipe above). Get everyone
involved--grandma, grandpa, grouchy Aunt Mildred, the baby, the cat--dips a
palm (paw) in paint and hand prints. Then, they sign names in permanent marker
near their print. Make patriotic holiday crafts do double duty as gifts and
give as a keepsake to an elderly relative.
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Flag pencils. Cut white sheets or plain fabric scraps into 4x6 squares. Show
world flags and play afree printable flag
bingo game from Suitcases and Sippy Cups. Then let kids create a personal
flag that represents their interests. Color with markers or crayons. Hot glue
to new pencils. Wave your flag patriotic holiday crafts in Memorial Day and 4th
of July parades.
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Personal logo T-shirts. Famous Americans--Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin,
Thomas Jefferson--are known by mottoes like "Don't Tread on Me." The
Gadsden flag was an American revolution symbol, Universities typically have
Latin mottoes. Have kids create their own slogan and logo to reflect their
ideals. Then transfer images to T-shirts with fabric paints or permanent
markers. Recycle old shirts. Buy packaged T-shirts. Check dollar stores for
good prices on supplies for patriotic holiday crafts and Memorial Day or 4th of
July art projects.
Have
a Memorial Day and 4th of July parade. Sing US history songs, display your
patriotic holiday crafts and art projects. Wear US history shirts. US History
leaps off boring textbook pages and comes to life with these educational US
history art projects.