Easy-Peasy Wearable Crafts For Kids That Celebrate Pride Month

Extravagant fashion has been a big part of queer culture for a long time, partially as a personal way to express oneself, but also to make a political statement. The butterfly also has traditional ties to the notion of queer metamorphosis, so let’s combine them into a cute little pair of wings.

What you'll need:

• Large foam sheets in various colors
• Elastic straps
• Hot glue gun
• Markers, glitter glue, stick-on gems, or any kind of shimmery fixings.

Steps:

1. Draw a large wing shape on the first foam sheet, then cut it out. Cut out smaller chunks of foam that resemble the shapes of a butterfly's wing. Using multiple chunks of foam creates a layered effect. Repeat for both wings.

2. Use fabric glue or hot glue to secure it all in place. Adults only for the hot glue gun!

3. Let the kids decorate the wings with markers, glitter glue, stick-on gems, and sequins. They can create rainbow patterns or other designs that symbolize pride, and fit with the pattern of a butterfly wing.

4. Glue elastic straps to the wings so they can be worn like a backpack. Ensure the straps are secure and comfortable, but not a strangulation hazard. If you're extra thrifty, you can sew on adjustable straps.

Since the 1890s, the green carnation has served as a symbol for the queer community, especially gay men. During the Victorian era, men would wear a green carnation pinned to their clothing to signify their identity. Incorporating the carnation into modern pride fashion is a nice nod to all the queer folk who lived before us.

What you’ll need:

• Shrink plastic sheets
• Permanent markers
• Pin backs or safety pins
• Hot glue gun

Steps:

1. Use a template or freehand draw a few carnation shapes onto shrink plastic sheets. Color them using permanent markers with pride flag colors or solid green.

2. Carefully cut out the flower shapes and place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them following the shrink plastic instructions. You can make various different sizes of carnations to do a similar technique to the butterfly wings, creating more of a 3D flower.

3. Once cooled, use a hot glue gun to attach the different petal layers, if you’re doing it that way, then glue pin backs to the back of each finished flower.

You're gonna need somewhere to put those pins, and a hat is as good a place as any. If your kid isn’t as interested in the butterfly wings and face paint vibe, then some tie-dye clothing is a subtle alternative they can wear anywhere.

What you’ll need:

• Plain white cotton bucket hat or baseball cap
• Fabric dye in rainbow colors
• Rubber bands
• Plastic gloves

Steps:

1. Follow the tie-dye instructions of your kit in terms of preparing the fabric. Twist and fold the bucket hat into desired patterns and secure it with rubber bands. This will be a bit more difficult with a cap, so it may work out better to free-pour the dye without bands.

2. Start dyeing the hat. Forming long lines from the center top of the hat will create a nice rainbow effect, though random colorful spots here and there will give a cool retro look.

3. Let dry, then as per the kit instructions, throw the hat in the washing machine. Once dried, the hat can be used to display the carnation shrink-wrap pins or worn alone.

June is also a sunny month, so knowing your child's eyes are protected is important. Though there are a lot of cool shades out there in rainbow and queer flag colors, making your own is half the fun.

What you'll need:

• Plain sunglasses
• Stick-on gems and sequins
• Strong adhesive or hot glue gun
• Beads in pride flag colors
• Plain glasses cord

Steps:

1. Use stick-on gems and sequins to bedazzle the frames of the sunglasses. Pick and stick on colored gems with colors of any pride flag, the progress flag, or general rainbow shades.

2. Hot glue larger cabochons onto each corner screw of the frames. Avoid putting charms and gems too close to the ears as they can be irritating or get caught in your child’s hair.

3. Take the glasses cord, and thread beads in pride colors onto the elastic cord to create a strap. Ensure the length is suitable for hanging the sunglasses around a child-sized neck.

Rings are another symbol of queer pride in history, particularly pinkie rings, and especially stackable rings that include words and letters to showcase one’s identity. They can also be easily traded among your child’s friends and new pride acquaintances.

What you'll need:

• Adjustable ring bases with open flat tops
• Pride-themed printed paper or images
• Mod Podge or any PVA glue

Steps:

1. Cut out small circles of pride-themed images or paper to fit the flat space on top of each ring.

2. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the flat space. Press the image onto the glue, and let dry.

3. Once dry, apply another layer of Mod Podge over the image, followed by a large drop of glue to create a solid bubble over the image. It will appear white at first, but slowly will turn translucent once completely dry.