Introduction: Cute Sandcastle Flags

About: I live in Sheffield, UK in a little terraced house with my partner. I work part-time so I have plenty of time to make things! I have an Etsy shop where I sell one-of-a-kind felt brooches, and I've recently sta…
Making sandcastles was, and still is, a favourite activity on seaside holidays.  So why not make your children's memories of making sandcastles on the beach (or in their sandpit!) extra-special by telling them about this instructable?

They can download and print out the flags I've drawn; either in full colour, or blank line drawing versions which they can colour-in themselves!

Step 1: To Make the Flags, You Will Need:

A print of the flags (download the PDF files here)
Scissors
Glue
Clean lolly sticks (or bamboo skewers, cut in half, or pencils, or plastic straws)

Step 2: Print and Colour-in the Flags

Download the sheet you want, and print it out. If you print out the blank sheet, colour them in and decorate if you wish.  You could add sequins or glitter for extra sparkle!

You could also print onto interesting paper, for example brown kraft paper cut to A4 size to fit in your printer, or other coloured paper.

Step 3: Cut the Flags Out

Cut the flags out along the dotted lines.

Step 4: Insert the Flag-pole

Get your skewer/lolly stick/plastic straw ready.  Fold the flag in half and crease the centre line gently; this is where the flag-pole will go. Apply glue to the back of one half of the flag, including the centre crease.

Step 5: Fold the Flag Over

Fold the flag over and make sure that both sides line up neatly. Ensure that all edges are glued properly, and re-apply glue if the edges haven't been stuck completely.

Step 6: One Double-sided Flag, Awaiting a Sandcastle!

You now have a double-sided flag, ready for some sandy constructions!

Unfortunately, I'm not going to the seaside this year... (sob!) But because I still want to see LOTS of sandcastles with these flags in, I'm offering a prize to the most impressive and imaginative sandcastle bearing one of these flags! If you want to have the chance to win an exclusive Joey's Dream Garden brooch, here's what you need to do:

1. Make at least one of the flags
2. Make a sandcastle (it doesn't have to be on a beach; in a sandpit would do if, like me, you can't get to the seaside)
3. Take a photo of your creation
4. Add your photo to the Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/sandcastleflags/ - if you've made lots of flags and sandcastles, please add as many photos of them as you wish!

The closing date is Monday, 13 September 2010, 00:00 on Howland Island (i.e. GMT -12 hrs; click here to find your timezone's equivalent time: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html ) and I will contact the winner via Flickr soon after.

Thank you for reading this instructable, and if you get to the seaside, happy sandcastle-building! :D
Joey x