All decked out in red, white and blue! Make a cute flag shirt with your kids.

Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

What a great song! My heart beats so proud to be an American when the Star-Spangled Banner plays. I have to tell you, I love the fourth of July! I love celebrating our country’s independence and it’s so fun to share the traditional festivities with my boys :). Parades, playing baseball, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (not together of course!), and the piece de resistance; fireworks! This year I thought it would be fun to make a patriotic shirt to wear while celebrating the 4th.

Here is what you will need for your easy 4th of July T-shirt:

1. Plain white t-shirts

2. Masking tape

3. Red and blue fabric paint

4. Foam star stickers

5. Foam paint brush

 First and foremost you need to wash your shirt if it is brand new. I almost missed this step, thank goodness I read directions!

 Next you will need to place cardboard inside your t-shirt.

“Whose broad stripes…”  – Tape the outline of the stripes.

“…and bright stars…”  – Next place the stars on the right shoulder and sleeve of the t-shirt.

Now the fun part, painting!

 I had planned to paint the t-shirts by myself, but my 6 year old snuck down from bed and INSISTED that he help me!

I am so glad that he did for a number of reasons:

1. We had some great one on one time.

2. It is a perfect craft for kids! (Sometimes I want things just so,but kids are great at reminding us to let go and enjoy the moment.)

3.  I had a blast creating with my boys! I love sharing the creative process with them.

Getting messy, but loving it!

 Let your t-shirt dry over night before removing the tape.

 After removing the tape, I noticed the stripes were too thin and I needed a couple of touch ups. I made the stripes a little wider and let the shirts dry again before I washed them inside out.

 Didn’t they turn out cute?! I hope your family enjoys this craft as much as we did. Happy Fourth of July!