25 Patriotic DIYs Perfect for Your Summer Celebrations
Give a nod to the red, white, and blue with these fun craft and decor ideas.
America’s 250th anniversary calls for a celebration to remember. Between the fireworks, backyard BBQs, festive summer sweets, and family fun, there’s no better time to lean into all things red, white, and blue. One of our favorite ways to mark the occasion? Patriotic DIYs that bring extra charm to the season.
Break out the craft supplies and create easy projects that double as party decorations. From a festive Fourth of July wreath and star-spangled table décor to playful crafts for kids, these ideas are perfect for celebrating America’s birthday in style.
Fabric-Scrap Flags
Wave these petite fabric-scrap flags at the town parade or use them to embellish a table centerpiece.
To make: Cut a 4-by-3-inch rectangle from a red-based fabric. Cut a smaller square of blue-based fabric. Glue the blue square to one corner of red fabric with craft glue. Glue the flag to a wooden skewer or small dowel with a few dabs of hot glue.
Red, White, and Blue Snack Basket
Serve snacks and treats in a seasonally decorated basket.
To make: Paint the vertical slats of a small wooden basket, alternating red and white. Paint the horizontal strapping blue. When dry, line the basket with a blue-and-white striped napkin or tea towel. Fill with snacks.
Patriotic Place Setting
A layered table sets the scene for a festive celebration. Create a centerpiece by filling a glass vase with baseballs and flags. Use vintage sparkler containers as place cards. Line the table with a selection of vintage noisemakers.
Red, White, and Blue Straw Wreath
Welcome guests with a colorful wreath made from loads of straws. For a sophisticated palette, dot a few light blue straws in the mix.
To make: Attach different lengths of red, white, and blue paper straws to a craft ring with hot glue. Layer them until the craft ring is fully covered.
Embellished Bucket
Transform a vintage metal vessel into a star-flecked cooler.
To make: Use a premade star stencil—or cut your own out of thick craft paper—white acrylic paint, and a paintbrush to add an arrangement of stars to the outside of your container.
Ribbon Pinwheels
Arrange pretty pinwheels in stacked soda crates and bottles to create a spectacular centerpiece.
To make: Cut two pieces of ribbon that are twice as long as the width; sew pieces together to form a square. Cut small slits from the corners toward the center. Hot-glue the alternating points to the center, top with a button, and attach to a dowel. (Tip: Use Dritz Fray Check to prevent fraying.)
Festive Placemat
Look to (hand-stitched) stars and ticking stripes for a grand Fourth of July placemat.
Step 1: Cut a 15-by-11-inch rectangle from ticking stripe fabric and a 6-by-5-inch rectangle from denim fabric.
Step 2: Use a "disappearing" pen (available at craft stores) to trace a five-point star on denim. Outline by passing a needle and thin white yarn through each of the points.
Step 3: Sew the denim to the top left-hand corner of the ticking stripe. (Iron-on adhesive will also do the trick.)
Step 4: Create a relaxed frayed edge by pulling out threads along the placemat's border.
Stars-and-Stripes Straws
We bet a berry and mint lemonade will taste even better when sipped out of a DIY stars-and-stripes straw.
To make: Use a star-shaped paper punch to cut out star shapes. Cut two slits, about the width of the straw, in the center of the star and thread over the straw.
Painted Star-Patterned Game Boards
Star-patterned game boards (both vintage and new ones will work) painted in the colors of the holiday look great hung above a drink station or buffet table.
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