This patriotic ribbon wand craft creates a colorful wand that kids can make on their own. Perfect for DIY Memorial Day of 4th of July decor and fun!
Making patriotic crafts with kids is a wonderful way to make DIY decor for U.S. holidays such as Memorial Day and the 4th of July. These will also make for a fun summer activity for kids to beat the “I’m bored”s.
This is a ribbon wand craft that big kids can make on their own, or that you could make for a toddler to wave around at the parade.
Patriotic Ribbon Wand Craft Kids Can Make
Entrusting your child with a hot glue gun is a bid moment in a parent’s life. If your child has passed the ‘hot glue gun test’, they can likely make this on their own without much assistance from you. If you are making this with younger children as a toddler craft or with preschoolers, simply opt for washable paint, omit the hot glue, and help them pull the ribbons taut through pre-made ribbon hoops.
Little ones will love to wave this around or march holding them while listening to the Star Spangled Banner. I remember marching up and down the driveway with my siblings on the 4th of July waving flags, and can imagine these red, white and blue ribbon wands would be just as fun.
What you need to make the DIY ribbon wand:
12” Wooden dowels from craft store
Acrylic paint: blue and white
1” Satin ribbon: 2 blue, 2 red, and 2 white
Paint brush: thin bristle
Hot glue gun
Scissors
How to make the patriotic ribbon wand:
Step 1:
Paint ¾ of the dowel bright blue (don’t forget the tip) and let them dry completely.
Use a jar filled with rocks to hold them up right. Don’t worry about drips the ribbon will cover them.
Step 2:
Paint rows of stars on each side.
If small stars are difficult then try painting starburst instead.
Step 3:
Cut the ribbon into 20” strips.
Keep colors organized so they are easy to grab.
Step 4:
Fold a blue ribbon in half and loop it around the end of the wand that doesn’t have the stars.
Do the blue ribbon 3-4 more times.
After you have 3-4 blue ribbon at top then alternate between red and white till you reach the blue dipped end.
*Preferred method: step 5 after each ribbon loop.
Step 5:
Tighten the ribbon and use the hot glue gun to secure the ribbon.
Place a drop of glue at the inside knot of the ribbon, the part against the wand.
Step 6:
Once the glue hardens your American Flag wand is ready to use!
They look pretty fancy, but really, these are quite easy to make!
Can I make a ribbon wand for any theme?
Yes! You can make these with rainbow ribbons for a Spring activity for kids. Add a unicorn horn to the top for a unicorn themed rainbow ribbon wand.
You could also use a larger dowel and thicker ribbon for a big ribbon wand that older children might love to play with! Get creative, and have fun while making a festive ribbon wand!
Print these instructions for the ribbon wand for kids to follow:
American Flag Ribbon Wand Craft
This patriotic ribbon wand craft creates a colorful flag wand that kids can make on their own. Perfect for DIY Memorial Day of 4th of July decor children can play with!
Materials
- 12” Wooden dowels from craft store
- Acrylic paint: blue and white
- 1” Satin ribbon: 2 blue, 2 red, and 2 white
Tools
- Paint brush: thin bristle
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
Instructions
Paint.
Paint 3/4 of the dowel bright blue and let them dry completely. (Use a jar filled with rocks to hold them up right. Don’t worry about drips the ribbon will cover them.)
Paint rows of stars on each blue side. If small stars are difficult then try painting starburst instead.
Cut.
Cut the ribbon into 20” strips. Keep colors organized so they are easy to grab.
Attach ribbons.
Fold a blue ribbon in half and place the looped side under the end of the wand that doesn’t have paint.
Thread the open ends of the blue ribbon through the loop on the other side of the wand, and pull through. This should attach the ribbon to the top of the wand.
Attach the blue ribbon strips 3-4 more times using the same method.
Place a drop of glue at the inside knot of the ribbon, the part against the wand.After you have 3-4 blue ribbon at top then alternate between red and white till you reach the blue painted end.
Tighten the ribbon and use the hot glue gun to secure the ribbons.
Once the glue dries your American Flag wand is ready to use.
Notes
Allow for some drying time after painting the dowel before attaching the ribbons.
*To make this ribbon wand with younger children, use washable paint, and omit the white painted stars and hot glue.
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