Surfing the Net with kids

By Barbara Feldman  |  May 29, 2009

With roots in the 19th century, Flag Day wasn't officially established until May 30, 1916, when President Wilson issued a proclamation. Its celebration continued in various communities for many years, but it didn't really take off until Aug. 3, 1949, when President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.

Apples 4 the Teacher: Flag Day Activities for Kids www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/flag-day Along with a short history of the holiday, Apples 4 Teachers Flag Day Activities include interactive flag coloring, printable patriotic poems, printable short stories, and articles about flag etiquette and how to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. For additional activity ideas, visit related patriotic holidays Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day.

The Holiday Spot: Flag Day www.theholidayspot.com/flagday "Though Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877, with the centennial of the US flag's existence, the idea of making it a public celebration is believed to have originated in 1885." Celebrate Flag Day at the Holiday Spot with a collection of computer wallpapers, crafts, historical flags, history articles, and a Flag Day Quiz. "How many changes had the Flag undergone since the first National Flag was born?"

EnchantedLearning: US Flag Day Crafts www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/flagday For Flag Day, Enchanted Learning offers dozens of patriotic crafts for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary ages. All can be made with common craft supplies, such as paper, scissors, glue, string, pencils, and popsicle sticks. Projects that caught my eye include a flag-themed wind sock, a patriotic pinwheel, and a flag pebble. Some of the printable activities are only available for paid members.

Tutorials.com: Learn2 Fold an American Flag www.tutorials.com/09/0903/0903.asp "Flag-folding does take some practice, but the task isn't exactly rocket science. As long as you've got an awareness of flag etiquette (a few simple rules) and a friend to help you out, mastering the art of getting the flag in that neat little triangle will have you looking like the best girl scout or marine in town." This five-step illustrated flag folding lesson is just one of hundreds of short tutorials you'll find at Tutorials.com. The instructions can be followed online, or printed out for ease of reference. You'll find the link to a printable version at the end of the last step.

USFlag.org: History of Flag Day www.usflag.org/history/flagday.html "On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York." USFlag.org is dedicated to the history of the American flag, and has an excellent article about the history of Flag Day, along with a gallery of historic US flags, answers to questions about flag etiquette, and a discussion of flag desecration. Do you think the Constitution should be amended to make it illegal to burn an American flag?