Want your child to learn more about the USA in a fun way? This red, white and blue candle holder is the perfect decorative piece to make for the Fourth of July, Flag Day, Memorial Day and even Election Day! While the two of you create this patriotic craft, it will be a good chance for him to learn all about his beautiful country and its flag. There's going to be a lot of patriotic pride behind this little project!
What you need:
- Red and blue markers
- Medium-sized candle holder
- White paper
- Glue (must dry transparent)
- Kid scissors
- Flat back red, clear and blue rhinestones
- Cotton swabs
- Tea light candle
- Box-cutter
- Pencil
What you do:
- Wrap the white paper around the candle holder and ask your child to use the kid-friendly scissors to trim off the excess. The paper doesn't necessarily have to fit all the way around. If he prefers, he can leave a space open in the back so some light can shine through.
- Next, ask him to use the markers to color in the paper so there's a red strip on the top, white strip in the middle and a blue strip at the bottom. The more color the better! While he's coloring, talk to him about the history of the flag. It would also be a great time to teach him The Pledge of Allegiance if he doesn't already know it. USFlag.org is a wonderful site to check out for some flag facts.
- Have him use the pencil to draw USA in block letters over the colors. After he's finished, ask him how to spell United States of America and have him write it out on another piece of paper.
- Since box-cutters are dangerous for little ones, this step is all you, parents! Use the box-cutter to cut the letters out of the paper. When you get to the "A," save the little center triangle so you can attach it later on.
- Now it's time to get messy! Ask your child to put glue all over the back of the paper, then help him glide the paper on top of the candle holder, smoothing out the glue bubbles as you go along. Don't forget the triangle piece for the letter "A."
- Now time to add a little shine. Have him use a cotton swab to make glue dots all over the paper wherever he wants to add a rhinestone, then help him put them on before the glue dries.
- Ask him to put the tea light candle in the candle holder, then when he steps back, light it up and watch it glow! Make sure to tell him that any time he wants it lit, he has to ask you to do it for him.
To make a little game of it, every time you light the candle, ask him a fact about the United States. For example, ask him how many states there are, what the biggest and smallest states are and what countries are above and below the US. There's an almost endless amount of facts he can learn, and you may even learn something new as well!
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