How to Make Your Own Paper Flags on Toothpicks

Draw the flag outlines on the white paper. Use the pencil and the ruler to draw rectangles on the paper with dimensions of 1 inch by 3 inches. If you need many paper flags, make a grid on the paper to enable you to make many at one time.

Design the flag you desire on the rectangles. Each rectangle is actually the front and back of the flag, so you must make mirror images of the flag on each half of the rectangle. If you are making an American flag, draw the blue corners for the front and the back of the flag at the center top edge of the rectangle. Fold the blue portion of the paper rectangle in half to place the blue square on both the front and the back of the flag. Make the red and white stripes surrounding the blue on both the front and the back of the paper rectangles. If you are making a different flag, simply create the front of the flag on the right half of the rectangle and the back of the flag on the left half of the rectangle (remembering to make the flag halves mirror images on the paper rectangles).

Cut the rectangles out with the scissors so you have the fronts and the backs of the flags on each rectangle.

Place the paper rectangles back-side up on a flat work surface. Spread the glue on the right half of the rectangle.

Place a toothpick onto the paper rectangle so the top of the toothpick extends up from the top edge of the rectangle approximately 1/8-inch and the bottom of the toothpick extends past the bottom edge of the rectangle as a flagpole.

Fold the left half of the paper rectangle over the right half of the paper rectangle (the glued half), covering the toothpick as you fold the paper. Press the paper together firmly so there are no wrinkles and the edges and corners align perfectly.

Allow the glue to dry completely before using the paper flags.