Basic bricks are awesome and so versatile. There are so many creative ways to use LEGO far beyond the instruction manuals and boxed sets. We use them for tons of fun LEGO activities too! This time we tried out a simple LEGO build and made a LEGO American Flag. This is a great project for a young LEGO builder that ties in math skills as well, patterning, counting, symmetry, basic fractions, and fine motor skills.
How To Build An American Flag
This does take a lot of bricks, but remember you can use 1×1’s, 2×2’s, 2×1’s, 4×2’or 4×1’s, and any other combination to build your stripes!
You will need:
- Red, white and LEGO bricks,
- 10×10 baseplate,
- Tiny round white LEGO caps {stars},
- Minifigure and American Flag optional.
* Note: You will want to use the full width of the base plate. I tried to get away with making a smaller flag and it did not look proportionately correct. It was a great teaching and problem-solving opportunity!*
Instructions:
The best starting point for your LEGO American Flag is the stripes. You need 13 stripes in alternating colors of red and white LEGO bricks. You must start and end with a red stripe.
- Step 1: Begin with 6 full-length stripes, starting with a red stripe, from the bottom up. Use the full width of the base plate!
- Step 2: Once you have completed 6 full-length stripes, start with blue LEGO and count over 15 dots. That’s how long the rows of blue should be.
- Step 3: Either fill in 7 rows of blue or continue with red and white stripes now that you know where the blue LEGO bricks will be placed.
- Step 4: Find as many small white pieces as you can! I chose to use these tiny white caps, but we only had 20. We staggered four rows of 5 tiny white LEGO pieces.
You now have a completed LEGO American Flag to put on display!
We added a little Minifigure dressed for celebrating the 4th of July or any other patriotic holiday. I found a few of these toothpick flags.
You can see the LEGO piece below I added to his hand so that he was better able to hold the flag. My son has his Pledge of Allegiance down and also enjoys singing The Grande Ole Flag. My husband, active duty Army, thought our LEGO American Flag was pretty awesome.
CHECK OUT MORE PATRIOTIC THEMED ACTIVITIES HERE!
Click below to get your printable LEGO building challenges.
Printable 4th of July Activities Pack
Pick a new idea each day leading up to the 4th! Each activity comes with printable instructions, picture steps, and a template if applicable. PRINTABLE: 4th Fun Pack
INCLUDES:
- SLIME: Glittering July 4th Slime
- SCIENCE: Fireworks 🎇 In A Jar
- SCIENCE: Skittles Fun!
- ART: Process Art Fireworks 💥
- ENGINEERING: Independence Day Structure Building
- LEGO: Minifig Diorama Challenge
- US GEOGRAPHY: Scavenger Hunt
- CODE: Secret Code Pictures
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