Kindergarten Summer Reading Activities: This Is America

For many of us, the Fourth of July means barbecues, fireworks, and lots of red, white, and blue. It can also be a great opportunity to learn about history and citizenship, too. Below are five reading and learning activities that explores our country and its symbols.

1. Read Our Flag

Do you know what our flag looks like? Read all about it.

• Download Our Flag

Discuss the book: What colors does our flag have? What shapes are on our flag? Name some places the flag hangs.

2. Watch Land of the Free

Watch the video Land of the Free to learn more about what makes our country special.

Discuss the video: Why do people come to the United States? What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do to help make things fair in our country? How is our country special?

You can extend the fun by talking to someone who traveled to the United States from another country to live or visit. You could also create your own video to show your interview

3. Find flag locations

Where do you see the American flag? Make a list of locations in your neighborhood and city. Write and draw about one place you see the flag. Use this sentence frame:

I see the American flag at _____.

You can extend the activity by drawing a picture to go with your sentence.

More to read!

For more reading about our flag, download Flags Flap.

4. Explore words about the flag

• Look through Our Flag or Flags Flap to find words about the flag.
• With a partner, make a list of the words you see, and use them in sentences.

You can extend the activity by finding pictures and write or say words about other American symbols, such as the Statue of Liberty or the bald eagle.

5. Make a flag

Create your own American flag!

• Use paint or markers to make an American flag. Look at Our Flag or Flags Flap as a guide.
• Count the stars. What patterns do you see on the flag?

You can extend the activity by having your child make more flags to display the flag around the house.

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Find more language arts activities for kindergarten. 

This blog, originally published in 2020, has been updated for 2025.