The Chicago flag is a starting point for exploring the city’s rich history. Each activity will encourage your kids to share their ideas and express their creativity.The Chicago flag can be found throughout the city, but do you know what its stars and stripes symbolize?
Discover the meaning behind the flag’s design and create your own. When you’re done, take a picture of your flag and share it on social media! #CHMatHomeFamilies
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a formative event in Chicago’s history and is represented by the second star on the city’s flag. Today, we’ll be looking at artifacts that melted in the fire and inquiring about what they may have been. Who wants to be a history detective?
Ask your kids to examine the images of melted artifacts and think about how they used to look. Then they can express their creativity when they make their own artifact. When your kids have finished, take a picture of their artifact and share it on social media! #CHMatHomeFamilies
World’s Fair Rides | Close Looking, Writing, Drawing, Building
Before the internet, world’s fairs were a time when people from all over the world could come to one place to see new inventions and learn about science, history, and other cultures. Chicago has hosted two of them, which are represented by the third and fourth stars on the city’s flag. World’s fairs were also places to have fun! Think about your favorite ride at the amusement park. Both of Chicago’s world’s fairs featured exciting rides: the one in 1893 had the very first Ferris wheel, and the one in 1933 had the Sky Ride, which had towers that were taller than any building in Chicago at the time. In today’s activity, kids will use their imaginations to either recreate one of the rides or design one on their own. What’s your idea of a fun ride?
Look closely at the pictures of the Ferris wheel and the Sky Ride. Ask your kids to draw a picture of one of the rides or, using building toys, recreate a ride or build your own! Next, write a postcard to tell a friend or family member about it—is it fast? Does it go really high? What’s it called? When your kids have finished, take a picture of their new ride and share it on social media. Use #CHMatHomeFamilies and browse to see what others have created.
Chicago Waterways | Close Looking, Writing, Drawing, Performing, Game Playing
Chicago grew and prospered largely because of its waterways, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Both of them provided water, food, transportation, and fun for area residents. These waterways are represented on the city’s flag by two blue stripes.
In today’s activity, discover how the Chicago River has changed over time. Then have fun creating and singing a song together about the river to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Share your song with us on social media! #CHMatHomeFamilies