I volunteer in my kid’s classrooms at school. Most of the time, I come for story time or to help out the teacher but every once in a while I get the chance for a creative time with the kids. Since the 2010 Olympics will only come once I had to expose the kids to a little bit of the Olympic excitement. I sat down and taught them about different flags of the world. What they represent, or teach us and how they are such a big part of the Olympics and of cheering on other’s success. They loved our little discussion but when it came time for our craft, they were just as excited as if they had won the gold! After all, everyone needs to be cheered on a little and what’s more fun then being cheered on with your own custom flag? Well, to a group of Kindergartners, NOTHING is! So Today’s Tombow Tot project is Personal Olympic Flags!

SUPPLIES:

Cheesecloth Dishtowels
Scissors (or Rotary Cutter)
Dowels -cut to size (or pencils)
Stapler (or Needle & Thread)
Tombow Dual Brush Pens

1- Start by cutting your dishtowels to desired size. I recommend one of two sizes for a large group like a class (cutting them in 8th’s makes each flag approximately 12”x7”- and cutting them in 16th’s makes each flag 6”x 3 1/2”, perfect to use a pencil instead of a dowel) For an entire class I only used 3 dishtowels (and had plenty of leftovers!) I quickly ironed and starched them so that they would lay flat, it’s definitely not a required step- the kids wrinkle them up the minute they touch them!) If you are doing this for just a few kids, use the dishtowels in your kitchen and don’t cut them… they’ll still be able to be restored to the drawers soon.

2-Using your Tombow Pens have each child decorate his/her flag as desired. Some kids chose to make scenes, others put on their names and a few even came up with their own symbols using their favorite colors!

3- Give each child a dowel (or pencil) and help them staple the left edge of their flag together (around the dowel)

4- Come up with class cheers or play victory music as each child gets encouraged by their teammates! I promise that this is one Tot project that they’ll remember!