How to make red, white and blue sun-catching stars

The American flag has 50 stars and 13 stripes. Each star represents one of the nation’s 50 states, and each stripe represents one of the original American colonies.

The colors of the flag — red, white and blue — have meaning, too. Red is meant to show the United States’ valor, white the nation’s purity, and blue represents justice.

Here’s how to make light-catching red and blue stars to mark Independence Day, adapted from The Suburban Mom blog. Ask an adult for help, as this craft requires the use of a hot iron.

What you need:

What you do:

1. Break an old crayon with your hands or a dull knife. Put the shavings and chunks on a piece of wax paper.

1. Break an old crayon with your hands or a dull knife. Put the shavings and chunks on a piece of wax paper.

2. Fold the wax paper in half so the crayon pieces are inside. Then create a sealed pocket by folding the edges of the wax paper over at least twice. Fold a piece of parchment paper in half so that it covers the bottom and top of the wax paper pocket, then use an iron on a low setting to melt the crayon pieces.

2. Fold the wax paper in half so the crayon pieces are inside. Then create a sealed pocket by folding the edges of the wax paper over at least twice. Fold a piece of parchment paper in half so that it covers the bottom and top of the wax paper pocket, then use an iron on a low setting to melt the crayon pieces.

3. Let the melted crayons cool for a few minutes. Trace or draw a star on the wax paper, then carefully cut it out.

3. Let the melted crayons cool for a few minutes. Trace or draw a star on the wax paper, then carefully cut it out.

4. Repeat with crayons of other colors, then punch holes in your stars and use string to hang them together near a window.

4. Repeat with crayons of other colors, then punch holes in your stars and use string to hang them together near a window. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)