Tell us Your Favorite Flag Colors in ASL
Learn and practice American Sign Language signs for colors, make a small paper flag of your favorite colors, then sign and share your description.
About this activity
Learn and practice American Sign Language signs for colors, make a small paper flag of your favorite colors, then sign and share your description.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials listed and find a clear space to work.
- 2
Step 2
Choose two or three favorite colors you want on your flag.
- 3
Step 3
Look up an ASL color chart or a short ASL video online to learn the signs for your chosen colors.
- 4
Step 4
Practice each color sign five times in front of a mirror.
- 5
Step 5
Look up the ASL signs for the words my and favorite and the phrase My favorite colors are.
- 6
Step 6
Practice signing the full sentence My favorite colors are in ASL three times.
- 7
Step 7
Fold a sheet of paper to make a rectangle and draw a flag outline with your pencil and ruler.
- 8
Step 8
Color the flag using your chosen colors.
- 9
Step 9
Cut out the flag shape carefully with scissors.
- 10
Step 10
Attach the flag to a pencil using tape or glue to make a flagpole.
- 11
Step 11
Hold your finished flag in one hand.
- 12
Step 12
Practice signing your full sentence while pointing to each color on the flag three times.
- 13
Step 13
Make a short video or take a photo of yourself signing and showing your flag.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do you do the 'Tell us Your Favorite Flag Colors in ASL' activity?
To run this activity, first teach four to six basic color signs (for example: red, blue, green, yellow, black, white). Model each sign slowly and have your child mirror you. Next, make a small paper flag using colored paper or markers and attach it to a stick. Practice signing each color while pointing to the corresponding stripe, then have the child sign a short sentence describing their flag and share or record it for family.
What materials do I need for the 'Tell us Your Favorite Flag Colors in ASL' activity?
Youâll need colored paper or plain paper and crayons/markers to color the flag, scissors, glue or tape, and a small stick or straw for the flagpole. Optional items: a printed ASL color chart or device to show short ASL videos, index cards with color words, and a camera or phone to record and share the childâs signed description.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits preschool to elementary kids, roughly ages 3â10. Younger children (3â5) benefit from simpler signs and more adult support with cutting and gluing. Older children (6â10) can learn multiple signs, make more detailed flags, and practice full signed sentences. Always supervise scissors and small parts and adapt pace to your childâs attention and signing experience.
What are the benefits of the 'Tell us Your Favorite Flag Colors in ASL' activity?
This activity builds ASL receptive and expressive skills, strengthens color recognition, and improves fine motor control through cutting and coloring. It encourages confidence in signing, supports inclusive communication, and fosters creativity as kids design flags. Recording and sharing signed descriptions also boosts presentation skills and family engagement while making language practice playful and meaningful.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a mirror, ruler, or tape?
Use a smartphone or tablet front camera or a shiny window as a mirror, a hardcover book edge as a straightedge to draw the flag outline, and glue or a stapler instead of tape when attaching the flag to the pencil.
I'm having trouble learning or remembering the ASL signsâwhat should I do?
Pause or slow the ASL video and write or draw the handshape next to each chosen color, practice each sign the required five times in front of your mirror or front-camera, and point to the color on your finished flag as you rehearse the full sentence three times.
How can I change the activity for different ages?
For younger children, use one pre-cut colored rectangle and help with folding, coloring, and using safety scissors, while older kids can add more colors or patterns, practice the full ASL sentence independently three times, and record a longer video for sharing.
How can we make the flag or video more creative or personal?
Add stickers or fabric scraps when coloring the flag, fingerspell your name or glue on a small label in ASL, decorate the pencil pole with washi tape, and include captions or a brief spoken sentence when you make the short video to share on DIY.org.