How to Make a Patriotic Costume for a Child

An Uncle Sam patriotic costume can be made in just a few short hours.

Halloween doesn't have to be the only holiday that involves dressing up in costumes. Children can also dress up in a patriotic outfit to celebrate the 4th of July, especially if they are going to be in a school play, a parade or any type of patriotic celebration. An Uncle Sam costume is about as patriotic as you can get and can easily be made with items from around the home

Things You'll Need

• Old pair of red pants
• White fabric paint
• White tempera paint
• Red poster board
• Construction paper
• Tape
• Scissors
• White shirt
• Red or blue bow tie
• Blue suit jacket

Instructions

1. Lay out a pair of your child's old pants and paint white stripes up and down each leg with fabric paint starting at the waist and extending all the way down to the hem. Allow the paint to completely dry.

2. Paint white stripes up and down a piece of red poster board approximately 12 inches long and 24 inches wide. Allow the paint to completely dry then roll the poster board into a cylinder to make the top of Uncle Sam's hat. Secure it with tape on the inside. Draw a large circle approximately 14 inches in diameter on another piece of red poster board to form the hat brim. Cut the circle out and tape the cylinder to it in the center. Use a sharp pointed pair of scissors to cut out the inside of the circle.

3. Cut out a 2 inch wide strip of blue construction paper that is approximately 14 inches long. Paint white stars on the blue strip. Once the paint is dry, tape the strip around the cylinder to form the hat brim.

4. Ask your child to model the red pants with the hat. Add a white shirt to the ensemble with a red or blue bowtie and a blue suit jacket. For an extra patriotic flare, he can also carry a small flag around and wave it in the air.

References

• Annie's Costumes: All American Costumes
• Nick Jr: Crafts: Uncle Sam Hat