Kids can make their own patriotic flag pennant by using a paper grocery bag, some crayons, and some crafty skills.

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What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Place brown paper bag flap side down on the work surface. Use ruler or other straight edge (we used a large piece of craft paper) to draw a line from the top center of the bag to the bottom corner. (See photo.) Draw another line, again from the top center of the bag, this time going to the other bottom corner. There should now be a triangle drawn on the bag. (See photo.)
2. Cut out the triangle and then make 4 notches along the short edge of the triangle to wrap around the chenille stem flagpole. The notches should be about ¾" long. (See photo.)
3. Next, use a blue crayon to draw a square in the upper left corner of the flag. The area should measure roughly 3.5" x 4.5". (See photo.) Use a white crayon to draw a simple five-pointed star in the center of the blue area. (See photo.) Color the star white and the area around the star blue.
4. To draw on the flag's stripes, use a ruler to marks with a red crayon at one inch intervals (see photo). Using those as guides, draw horizontal lines across the flag. Color your stripes red and white, alternating each color.  (See photo.)
5. To make the flag pole, twist the two chenille stems together to make one thick chenille stem. (See photo.) Turn the flag over and place the chenille stems along the edge of the triangle with the notches. Line it up evenly, and then fold the notches over the chenille and tape in place. Bend the ends of the chenille stem in to avoid sharp edges and to give it an even appearance. (See photo.)
6. Take one of the scraps from the left over brown bag and cut out a 6" x 3" piece. Color that piece with the yellow crayon, then cut it into ½" x 6" strips. You should 6 strips. (See photo.)
7. With the flag still upside down, tape the strips onto the back of the flag, two at one end, two in the middle, and two at the other end.  (See photo.)

Tips:

1. This project can also be made with markers or colored pencils. Older children may enjoy painting this instead.
2. Be sure to either save the rest of the paper bag for another project, or place it in the recycle bin and not the garbage can.
3. Keep crayons on hand for rainy days. Pull out crayons, construction paper and a little glue and let the kids create!