Are you planning on attending a 4th of July parade? The Patriotic Parade Baton is a great craft to show off your patriotic colors!

Materials

• wood dowel (about ½-inch in diameter and 18 inches long)
• red, white, blue or silver spray paint
• glitter glue
• red, white and blue ribbon

• red, white and blue pipe cleaners
• jingle bells (optional)
• plastic pony (optional)
• sponge

Instructions

1. Spray paint the wood dowels (adults ONLY), and set aside to dry completely.

2. When dowels are totally dry apply the glitter glue with a sponge. You don't want too much glitter or holding the baton will become a messy prospect.

3. Attach the pipe cleaners to the dowel and twist to secure. A dab of glue placed on the dowel first will make sure the pipe cleaners are held in place. If you wish, you can add your jingle bells to the ends of the pipe cleaners.

4. Pull the pipe cleaners upward and then coil each pipe cleaner by twisting it around a fat marker or your fingers .

5. Tie several strips of red, white, and blue ribbon around the dowel .

6. If you wish, add pony beads to the ends of the ribbons and tie the bottoms to secure .