Olympic Crafts: Let the (Fun and) Games Begin!

What better inspiration than the Olympics for some creative "together time" with your children? Introduce your little one to the idea that, just like in ancient times, people from countries all over the world gather for this big event to compete in sports that they've worked very hard to learn. Stoke their Olympic spirit with these fun, easy activities.

The Olympic Torch

During opening ceremonies, a torch-bearer lights the Olympic cauldron, indicating the official start of the games. Your child may like to carry a replica of the torch to "let the games begin" in your house.

You will need:

• a cardboard paper towel tube
• construction paper
• a plastic cap from a laundry detergent bottle
• heavy tacky glue or low-temperature glue gun

Cover the towel tube with construction paper (any color you child chooses; aluminum foil could also be used). Glue the plastic cap (open end up) to the top of the cardboard tube. Parent supervision is needed if a glue gun is used. Next, help your children draw and cut out paper flames from orange, red, and yellow construction paper. These can be glued or taped inside the detergent cap with the edges of the flames pointing up in the air.

Olympic Rings Banner

The Olympic flag is a special flag. It has five interlocking colored rings on a white background. The rings represent the five major land areas, or continents, of the world. The rings are interlocked to symbolize friendship among the nations.

You will need:

• a large white sheet of paper
• construction paper: red, green, black, yellow, and blue
• glue
• a circle template or a small bowl to trace
• scissors

Invite your kids to cut five large ring shapes out of colored construction paper. Arrange the rings in an interlocking pattern on a plain white sheet of paper. Glue them in place. Hang the finished banner on the wall for the perfect backdrop to your day-to-day activities during the Olympics.

Olympic Flags

Show your children pictures of flags from countries around the world. There are pages in encyclopedias and on the Internet. Discuss the colors and designs you see on each flag. Set out construction paper in a variety of colors and let your children create flags of their choice using crayons, markers, stickers, and other decorating materials.

Go for the Gold (and Silver and Bronze)

Your children will feel like "winners" when they're sporting their own Olympic gold!

You will need:

• cardboard
• aluminum foil (Gold foil can be purchased in craft stores)
• crepe paper or ribbons
• tape
• a stapler

Cut large circles from the cardboard. Your children can cover the circles with foil to make medals. Tape any excess on the back. Cut lengths of crepe paper or ribbon to fit loosely over the child's head. Staple the medal to the ribbon.

Hold your own family games and dole out your homemade medals to the winners of each event: Balloon-between-the-knees race, backward race, egg-a-thon relay, high jump… the possibilities are endless.