How to Design a Firefighter Badge

Encourage a child's admiration for firefighters by creating a personalized firefighter badge.

Firefighters perform selfless acts of courage on a daily basis. It's no wonder why adults respect and appreciate them and children admire them. At some point in their childhood, many children want to be a firefighter. Nothing makes pretend firefighter play seem more professional than an official firefighter's badge. A firefighter's badge can be easily designed with only paper and pencil. If you are having a firefighter themed party, you may wish to create many blank badges and allow children to complete the designs on their own.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Draw a 2-inch wide circle in the middle of the paper.

2. Draw a 1-inch wide tab that protrudes from the top center of the circle. Draw the sides of the tab extending outwards and diagonally from the circle and the top of the tab curving upward in the middle and back down on the ends. The completed tab resembles a pirate's hat sitting on top the circle.

3. Turn the paper upside down so that the previously drawn tab is now facing the bottom of the page. Draw an identical tab at the top of the circle.

4. Turn the paper sideways and draw another identical tab on the top of the circle. Repeat for the other side of the circle. You should now have what is called a Maltese Cross and is a common shape for a firefighter badge.

5. Choose symbols or words to add to the tabs. Ideas include the words "Fire Dept.", the name of your city, pictures of a ladder, ax, fire hydrant or medical care symbols.

6. Add the child's name or another firefighter symbol inside the circle part of the badge.

Tips & Warnings

• If you would like to have children design their own badges at a party, supply printed firefighter symbols to cut and paste onto blank badges.

References

• Canton Firefighters: "Firefighter Symbols and Traditions"
• City of Columbia: "History of the Maltese Cross"
• Preschool Coloring Book