Playdough Flag

4th of July is just around the corner, so today I’d like to share a fun activity you can do with your little ones! Playing with playdough is a favorite activity here at our house. Not only is it fun, but it also helps children gain strength in their hands and aids in their handwriting skills down the road. Today’s activity is making an American flag with playdough. Before we get to the activity, let me share how we make our playdough.

Here’s what you need:

1 cup flour

3/4 cup water

1 tsp. oil

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 cup salt

food coloring

First, mix all the ingredients in a pot. Cook over medium/low heat until it starts to gel. Knead the dough on a mat.

I made 3 batches (red, white, and blue) and it took less than 15 minutes. We love freshly made, soft playdough!

For this flag activity, you will need to first print this flag printable and place inside a plastic sleeve. Have your child practice making snakes with playdough. To make snakes, have your child take a piece of playdough and roll it into a ball.

Then roll it out (going back and forth with your palm) on a hard surface  until it looks like a snake. Have your child do this with the red and white colors. Then they will place their snakes on the stripes section of the printable. We chose to flatten our snakes, but you wouldn’t have to. Make sure your child alternates red and white playdough for stripes.Then have them mold the blue playdough in the space for the star.

I knew it wouldn’t turn out to have 50 stars, so I just made one big one. It’s not exactly an accurate flag, but it’ll work. I also created a harder flag printable with smaller stripes for children with advance fine motor skills. This one does have the correct number of stripes as our American flag.

Doesn’t the flag look pretty?! I just love patriotic colors. Happy early 4th!