Create a fun and festive craft for kids by making these DIY patriotic paper parade wands! Perfect for celebrating Independence Day, these wands are simple to make and add a touch of excitement to any parade or gathering. Using materials like colorful paper, ribbons, and sticks, you will make cheerful wands that kids will love waving! They’re perfect for a 4th of July parade, BBQ, school projects and more!
With the 4th of July rapidly approaching, millions of Americans will gather to celebrate the Independence of the United States. The patriotic way is to celebrate with a BBQ, fireworks and of course, an Independence Day parade. For kids, having a fun craft to help celebrate makes things even more fun so of course, I wanted to share an easy 4th of July craft for you and your kids to help you celebrate in style!
Parades in the US are a lot of fun on their own. Often they include marching bands, floats, patriotic decorations like red and blue ribbon streamers and of course, lots of pep and celebrating from the sidelines. These easy parade wands give your kids a chance to join in on that fun by giving them the chance to wave these patriotic parade wands whenever they get excited.
How to Make Parade Wands for Waving?
To make the wands shown in the DIY card below, you’ll need to print THIS pdf template. It has the shape cut outs your kids will need to make the 4th of July parade wands.
There are three types of wands that the card explains how to make; a three star wand, a three square wand and a two star wand. The two star wand is designed to be easier for smaller children and little hands. The three star options work well for older kids.
Once you cut the patterns, follow the directions below to attach the cut outs to a wooden dowel.
How to Use Paper Parade Wands?
While they are designed to be waved and cheered with at a parade, they also work very well for party decorations. You can even add them to your 4th of July centerpiece to help give them a pop of whimsy and color if needed.
Basically, any way that you celebrate, these will work incredibly well for!
Patriotic Paper Parade Wands
Ingredients
Instructions
- Patriotic Paper Wand Template, Patriotic Cardstock
For the Triple Star or Triple Square Wand:
- If making the triple star wand, cut three large stars and three small stars. Repeat for each wand you want to make. Cut white paper stars or use the scrapbook paper for an even more patriotic look.
- If making the square wand, cut out three small stars. In addition, cut three 3 x 3" squares from the scrapbook paper. Repeat for each wand you want to make.
- Glue the smaller stars onto the larger stars (or squares) using the Elmer's school glue. Set aside until fully dry.
- Once fully dry, decorate using glitter glue, ribbons or in any other way you like.Glitter Glue Pens, Ribbon
- Attach your wands pieces. Apply glue only to the left and right edges making sure to leave both the top and bottom edges unglued and open.
- Pinch one edge together for a few minutes or until glue sets slightly.
- Add a small dollop of glue to the 3rd star or square and attach the straw or dowel rod.Dowel rods
- Glue the remaining outer pieces to each other to create a "tent" around the straw.
- Add three 6" pieces of ribbon to the straw and tie to the dowel to secure.
- Set aside and allow to fully dry before using.
For the Double Star Wand:
- Cut two 5" circles, 2 large stars, one 3" circle and one 4.5" circle from the PDF pattern. Cut white paper stars or use the scrapbook paper for an even more patriotic look.
- Attach double sided tape to the back of one circle and affix a straw.
- Add two more pieces of tape across the straw then add glue to the back of the circle.
- Press the other circle onto the wand, set aside and allow to fully dry.
- Add three 6" pieces of ribbon to the straw and tie onto the dowel to secure.
Notes
- This card makes three types of wands; triple star, triple square and double star.
- The double star wand is designed to be easier to make for smaller children. Older children will enjoy the other two.