Parenting Today
Whether you take an epic cross-country road trip or stay home and explore new parks this summer, the season brings so many memories for the family to share. Even the smallest moments can stick with your kids for years, so don’t overlook the joy of an ice cream cone on the back porch.
After all that fun, why not commemorate this year’s summer adventures with a colorful, unique display? Family memory flags take the idea of scrapbooks and make them easy to display, offering your family a regular reminder of the summertime fun you’ve shared.
A Unique Way to Preserve Memories
Kids love reliving summer memories, and having something on display in their bedrooms or backyard will spark conversation.
A memory flag is just what it sounds like: A flag — made of anything from paper to fabric — that kids can decorate with words, drawings, and colors that evoke their memories of an occasion or experience.
Making these flags gives kids a chance to share what stood out to them about an event or trip; sometimes it’s surprising which family conversations can start while you’re making art! Creating keepsakes together also extends the family bonding time you started during the adventure.
Make a Plan Ahead of Time
Before summer ends, make a plan with your whole family to commemorate the fun with a memory flag or banners. As you’re enjoying your summer activities, have the kids look out for special moments they want to remember later.
You can also keep a worksheet on the fridge to fill in and keep track of memory details, which might include:
- Activity names
- Things you saw, heard, or smelled
- The biggest emotions you felt
- The colors you saw
- Surprising things that happened
Choose Your Style
The best part about family memory flags is that there’s no “right” way to make them! Kids can choose the shape and design that fits their aesthetics.
Before you start any decorating, have each kid pick an overall banner or flag size and shape. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you gather materials and plan your flags:
- If you’d like to hang your flag outdoors, choose a waterproof material. You can purchase blank silk flags from many online companies or make one yourself from a tablecloth. Cut twice the size you need, fold the fabric over itself, and line the edges with small sticks or dowels to help the flag keep its shape. Hot glue everything in place.
- Creating lots of smaller flags instead of one big flag makes it easier to move in the future and switch out components for new memories.
- If you want a small flag banner that looks like bunting, you can follow this tutorial to make your own out of toilet paper tubes!
Time to Decorate!
Adding decorations and designs to the flags is the most fun part.
Encourage your kids to be creative and think outside the box. Do they want to make background patterns? Incorporate words and keepsakes? The sky’s the limit!
For the best outcome, make sure to follow these tips:
- Use durable paints and materials, especially for pieces that are going outside.
- Incorporate fun surprise elements like glow-in-the-dark paint or glitter.
- Take photos of important items that can’t be directly added to the flags, then use those images to decorate.
- The flags don’t have to be literal; some kids might paint colors and abstract shapes that evoke the feelings from their adventure.
- Add a consistent border design to flags that will be grouped together in a banner or display. Even if their designs are different, a common element running throughout will make the finished pieces cohesive.
- Make a plan for preservation. A coating of Mod Podge or another finishing spray can keep the artwork from chipping and fading. You can also take the finished product to an office supply store to get it laminated for even longer preservation.
The best part about family memory flags is their ability to extend important bonding time and give your family another reason to have fun together. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the memories for years to come!
