DIY Star Garland

I love to decorate for holidays no matter how big or small. Sometimes I go all out and sometimes it’s just something little like this cardboard star garland. It’s a fun activity to do with kids and a great way to talk about what Memorial Day stands for (as well as other patriotic holidays). Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most whether it’s spending time painting outdoors or a picnic or just singing some songs around the dining room table. We thought this homemade garland added just the right homemade touch to our Memorial Day.

 

You can make one too following these steps.

Supplies

1. cardboard
2. a box cutter or blade for cutting cardboard* and a cutting board or self-healing mat
3. hole punch
4. washable kid-safe acrylic paint in red white and blue
5. some twine or string
6. party lights (optional)

Tutorial

First you’ll need to cut out your stars. (This step is for adults or someone who can use a sharp blade responsibly.) I cut out 14 stars but I’m the cardboard whisperer and I love cutting things out of cardboard. You might not have as much patience as I do. Even a garland of three stars would be cute. The best way to cut cardboard is to lay your piece of cardboard on a cutting board or self-healing mat and cut away from your body or fingers. I use a box cutter and an x-acto knife with a sharp blade interchangeably.

I’ve created a quick printable template in a star shape if you need some help cutting out your stars. I recommend printing it on card stock, cutting it out and then using it as a tracing pattern on your cardboard.

After you’ve cut out your stars, punch them in one corner with a hole punch. This will require some muscle but you can do it!

Then set up a painting station with three bowls of paint, give your kids strict instructions to not mix the paint (if you don’t want light blue, pink or purple in your patriotic color palette) and let them have fun. Messy is good. It gives the garland a soft homemade touch that somehow seems appropriate for appreciating military families and all the sacrifices they make for our country.

After you’ve painted your stars, let them dry. Once they are dry you can string them up. I actually chose to tie each star up individually with it’s own piece of string so I could keep my stars from moving freely along my string. However you do it, I’m sure it will look perfect.

Then hang and enjoy!

Find More Patriotic Crafts Here:

• Easy DIY Geometric Art for Patriotic Holidays
• Printable Patriotic Pinwheels 
• Fourth of July Citronella Candles