We love themed crafts throughout the year... but with the end of the school year, it can get busy to prep and plan something fun for the summer holidays. Years ago, I worked with Melissa and Doug to create some patriotic craft ideas for Labor Day. These crafts are great choices for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July as well! So why not get started and do some patriotic crafts this summer! You and the kids can learn all about the patriotic symbols of America while you're at it. I've created a FREE Ebook to help!
I did these projects with my boys when they were very young - about 2 and 4 years old. We had a lot of fun, and if you don't mind a little bit of mess (there's paint in most of these!), then you'll have a lot of fun as well.
One tip I always tell parents is to pick nice days and paint OUTSIDE! I did not enjoy cleaning up the kitchen or playroom after we did a painting project. But if you do your painting outside on a driveway or patio, it's so much easier!
Exploring Patriotic Symbols of the United States of America!
I wanted my kids to be familiar with the more common symbols of our nation. So I picked a handful that would be fun, and that they'd probably see often:
- Bald eagle
- American flag
- Statue of Liberty
- Mount Rushmore
- Liberty Bell
However, I found it a challenge to find a quick list of facts to share with young children about basic patriotic symbols. I must have browsed over a dozen websites trying to find small, interesting details suitable for preschoolers. Most sites just give one small detail about one or two symbols, or extensive, historical details too advanced for younger kids.
After much searching and digesting of information, I came up with a handy list, to give kids just the basics about these symbols.
Get your FREE Ebook all about Exploring Patriotic Symbols of America. You can quickly and easily share these facts with your kids - either all at once, or little by little. At the end of the book, there is a craft idea for EACH symbol.
Our craft time exploring patriotic symbols of America was sprinkled with these trivia facts about American symbols. The boys had a blast creating bald eagle puppets, Statue of Liberty posters, and more, while their little hands were busy creating fun projects!
Celebrate American Emblems Throughout the Year
Although I did all these projects in one day to create this blog post, I suggest a slower pace. Try one a week, or pick one for each special holiday throughout the summer:
Memorial Day - Bald Eagle - Observed the last Monday in May. Typically, people make red poppy crafts on Memorial Day, and that is a great idea. However, because the poppy isn't a particularly American/patriotic symbol of our country, I did not include that in this book. The Bald Eagle, however, stands for freedom, and you can discuss what soldiers fight for when you learn this symbol.
Flag Day - American Flag - Celebrated June 14th. It's a great day to fly a flag, paint a flag, and talk about the symbolism of the flag's design.
4th of July - Liberty Bell - Celebrated July 4th. (Obvs!). Let freedom ring on Independence Day, and make a bell to share the news!
Labor Day - Mount Rushmore - Observed the first Monday in September. Now, strictly speaking, Labor Day is not a patriotic holiday. It's a Labor Workers Party day. Yeah, it's complicated how a political movement became a "relaxing" holiday. However, generally people view it as an American tradition, so why not do an American-themed craft and learn more about America on this long weekend?
Patriot's Day / Constitution Day - Lady Liberty - Patriot's Day is observed September 11, and honors those who died in the 9/11 tragedy. Constitution Day is celebrated September 17 and memorializes the day the Constitution was signed. Either way, Liberty was at stake, and it's a good time to discuss the Lady in the Harbor and what she stands for!
Get your FREE Ebook about Exploring Patriotic Symbols of America!
After doing all that research and creating craft ideas for my kids, I thought: why should I keep that information to myself? So I put together a FREE ebook resource for parents - Exploring Patriotic Symbols of America - to share with all of you, my readers.
By now, six years have passed since I created that ebook, and my boys are so much older! But it's still important to review basic American facts! I have updated my ebook with fresh graphics (2025), as well as included craft ideas, and a word search puzzle for older kids. Here's a sample page of the new look:
I hope you enjoy the NEW and improved Exploring Patriotic Symbols of America ebook! You can access it by subscribing to my newsletter below! I promise you I send no spam, and only send emails when I have fresh ideas for you, or a really good deal or tip!
Books to Read about United States Symbols
Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American FlagAmerica's Flag Story
Why Are There Stripes on the American Flag?
The American Flag
Betsy Ross: Designer of Our Flag
Our Flag Was Still There: The True Story of Mary Pickersgill and the Star-Spangled Banner
Our American Flag
The American Flag
M is for Mount Rushmore: A South Dakota Alphabet
Mount Rushmore
Who Carved the Mountain?: The Story of Mount Rushmore
Where Is Mount Rushmore?
What Is Mount Rushmore?
Why Is the Statue of Liberty Green?
Let Liberty Rise!: How America's Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty
Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty
How They Built the Statue of Liberty
Liberty Arrives!: How America's Grandest Statue Found Her Home
You Wouldn't Want to Be a Worker on the Statue of Liberty!: A Monument You'd Rather Not Build
The Statue of Liberty
Liberty Rising: The Story of the Statue of Liberty
They Rang The Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell
Can We Ring the Liberty Bell?
The Liberty Bell (American Symbols)
The Pledge of Allegiance: American Symbols
Our National Anthem
O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Important Words
The Bald Eagle
Is a Bald Eagle Really Bald?
The Bald Eagle
American Symbols: What You Need to Know (Fact Files)
More Patriotic Fun!
- Bald Eagle Find Someone Who - Printable Game (designed by my son when he was 10!)
- Patriotic Tin Planter Craft
- Red, White, and Blue Quinoa Breakfast Salad
- Must Read US History Book List
How do i get your e book? it looks like a great resource and perfect for my needs.
Symbols of America thank you
What a great idea, the kids would love it and it's educational.
Oh this is great! Will save for a later activity!
Oh this is great! Will save for a later activity!
Oh this sounds like a great resource for my homeschooling. Thank you for sharing I will have to check it out!
Oh this sounds like a great resource for my homeschooling. Thank you for sharing I will have to check it out!
This is such a valuable resource for homeschoolers! Thanks for taking the time to make a book for us!
This is such a valuable resource for homeschoolers! Thanks for taking the time to make a book for us!
This is great! We went and saw rushmore this summer and I have been trying to teach them more about our country!
This is great! We went and saw rushmore this summer and I have been trying to teach them more about our country!
Thank you for sharing this great resource! I'm excited to look at it and plan some activities!
Thank you for sharing this great resource! I'm excited to look at it and plan some activities!
What a great learning tool, free eBooks are great - good for you for making one!
What a great learning tool, free eBooks are great - good for you for making one!
My youngest learned about all those symbols in 1st grade last year, but this would be an awesome way to reinforce what he learned!!
My youngest learned about all those symbols in 1st grade last year, but this would be an awesome way to reinforce what he learned!!
What a great resource! May have to do a fun craft with this too!
What a great resource! May have to do a fun craft with this too!
What a great resource for the kids!! Plus it keeps their minds working over summer vacation!
What a great resource for the kids!! Plus it keeps their minds working over summer vacation!
I've always wanted to learn more about the flag's evolution and the importance of the eagle to our country! This looks like a great educational tool for any age.
I've always wanted to learn more about the flag's evolution and the importance of the eagle to our country! This looks like a great educational tool for any age.
This is such a fun craft to do! It is great to have something to get the kids excited about patriotic holidays.
This is such a fun craft to do! It is great to have something to get the kids excited about patriotic holidays.
This would have been great for when I was Homeschooling! Perfect for part of a Memorial Day or Fourth of July themed lesson. Thanks for sharing!
This would have been great for when I was Homeschooling! Perfect for part of a Memorial Day or Fourth of July themed lesson. Thanks for sharing!
That is so great that not only did you come up with craft ideas for your little ones but also created a special book that will help other families teach their children about our country. I know that at that age they are curious about everything and are eager to learn.
That is so great that not only did you come up with craft ideas for your little ones but also created a special book that will help other families teach their children about our country. I know that at that age they are curious about everything and are eager to learn.
I love combining learning with crafts. Kids enjoy putting the crafts together and don't really realize they are learning something new. It makes things more memorable as well.
I love combining learning with crafts. Kids enjoy putting the crafts together and don't really realize they are learning something new. It makes things more memorable as well.
Thanks for the great ebook! i want my kids to learn about the symbols of america too!
Thanks for the great ebook! i want my kids to learn about the symbols of america too!
What a great way to learn! I love interactive learning!
What a great way to learn! I love interactive learning!
I love this combination of hands on learning coupled with an ebook. Interactive learning is always the best.
I love this combination of hands on learning coupled with an ebook. Interactive learning is always the best.
What a great, interactive approach to learning. I love combining the crafts with the ebooks.
What a great, interactive approach to learning. I love combining the crafts with the ebooks.
This a very cute ebook. I think it's great to have something like this to teach kids about some of the patriotic aspects of our country.
This a very cute ebook. I think it's great to have something like this to teach kids about some of the patriotic aspects of our country.
What a cool book. It's a great way to introduce children to the symbols of our nation.
What a cool book. It's a great way to introduce children to the symbols of our nation.
hey, i knew you before you wrote a book! i know someone famous!
also i am pretty clueless, patriotically speaking, so i better check this out
hey, i knew you before you wrote a book! i know someone famous!
also i am pretty clueless, patriotically speaking, so i better check this out