I’m not sure when Memorial Day turned into a picnic and barbecue fest, but it was meant as a day to remember those service men and women that have fallen defending this country. Somewhere along the line Memorial Day also became the unofficial start to summer for theme parks, public swimming pools and campgrounds.

And while I’m not trying to be a buzz-kill, it’s important that we take a moment on Memorial Day and remember those that fought for our freedom. I’m talking about that freedom that allows us to have those picnics whenever we want.

Military Clothespin Airplanes

Hopefully, you don’t think I’m a hypocrite because I’m using Memorial Day as a way to write a post about a craft. I wanted to create something that I thought the military would appreciate.

I actually made these a while ago, last summer in fact. It’s just taken me this long to share them. Since Memorial Day is this weekend and May is National Military Appreciation Month, I thought this was the perfect time.

A while back I made these Snoopy and Red Baron Clothespin Airplanes. I actually made the classic military planes at the same time.

I’m sure the boys, and maybe even some of the men in your family would enjoy making these. And let’s not forget the girls. After all, I LOVED making them!

Cut the rounded ends off the jumbo craft sticks.

Cut the jumbo craft sticks in half.

Cut the ends off the miniature craft sticks.
Cut the miniature craft sticks in half.

Use your craft knife to round the end of one of the miniature craft stick halves. Repeat for the second one.

After rounding the end, cut that piece in half, keeping only the rounded half. Repeat for the second one.

For each airplane you should now have – wooden clothespin, two large pieces for the wings, one small piece for the horizon tail, and the rounded piece for the vertical tail.

Sand the edges of each cut piece.

Paint the pieces for one plane gray and the pieces for the other plane green.

Use paint pens to add details to the wings and vertical tails.

These are the ones that I used.

And here’s the paint (Natural Gray and Light Avocado).

To assemble:

Place one of the wings upside down so that the emblems are facing downward. Add a line of white craft glue to the center of the wing. Place the clothespin into the glue.

Place a line of white craft glue on top of the clothespin and place the second wing onto it, emblems facing up.

Glue the horizontal tail piece to the back of the clothespin.
Glue the vertical tail piece to the horizontal tail piece.
Repeat these steps for the second plane.

Allow everything to dry completely.

I attached strings to mine and hung them from the ceiling. These make a great project for grandpa or dad to make with their kids. :)

Have a great Memorial Day. And to our nation’s military, THANK YOU. Thank you for putting your lives on the line and protecting this great country of ours. Thank you to your families that sacrifice their husbands, wives, mommies and daddies. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Print Project

5 from 9 votes

Military Clothespin Airplanes

Supplies

2 Jumbo craft stick
2 Miniature craft stick
2 Wooden clothespins
Paint: gray and olive green
Paint pens: red white, blue
Tools: craft knife cutting mat, sandpaper, paintbrush, white craft glue

Instructions

Cut the rounded ends off the jumbo craft sticks.
Cut the jumbo craft sticks in half.
Cut the ends off the miniature craft sticks.
Cut the miniature craft sticks in half.
Use your craft knife to round the end of one of the miniature craft stick halves. Repeat for the second one.
After rounding the end, cut that piece in half, keeping only the rounded half. Repeat for the second one.
For each airplane you should now have - wooden clothespin, two large pieces for the wings, one small piece for the horizon tail, and the rounded piece for the vertical tail.
Sand the edges of each cut piece.
Paint the pieces for one plane gray and the pieces for the other plane green.
Use paint pens to add details to the wings and vertical tails.
To assemble, place one of the wings upside down so that the emblems are facing downward. Add a line of white craft glue to the center of the wing. Place the clothespin into the glue.
Place a line of white craft glue on top of the clothespin and place the second wing onto it, emblems facing up.
Glue the horizontal tail piece to the back of the clothespin.
Glue the vertical tail piece to the horizontal tail piece.
Repeat these steps for the second plane.
Allow everything to dry completely.

Author
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Amanda Davis

Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.

Comments

Nagaratha.k says

August 25, 2015 at 9:26 am

Such a wonderful information, I m glad that memorial day is celebrated in different way .I liked the way crafts done.

Melanie (The Party Suite at Bellenza) says

May 27, 2015 at 4:41 pm

Such a nifty idea. These would make cool place card holders!

Nina Lewis says

May 24, 2015 at 11:57 pm

I agree with you about Memorial Day… My father served in the Marines during WWII. Obviously, he didn’t die — otherwise I wouldn’t be here… :-) But, I very much appreciate those who gave their lives and those who served and currently serve!

I love these planes. My grandsons are at the age I think that they would love these planes. And, I’m so glad you shared about the paint pens. I didn’t know about them. Hot diggity dog! I’m going to get some of these. i think they are the best things since sliced bread!

- Amanda Formaro says
  
  May 25, 2015 at 9:13 am
  
  Thanks Nina! I’m glad your grandpa made it through :) and you’re welcome about the paint pens, I love them!
  
- Betty Benedict says
  
  May 25, 2019 at 1:37 pm
  
  I do crafts and t-shirts to rise money for different organizations. And it also helps people out
  
tonilea says

May 23, 2015 at 4:27 pm

I am so pleased and proud that you and many other people think of Memorial Day as a day to honor the military people. I was raised in Iowa and it wasn’t until I moved to the South that I learned what the holiday was meant to be. I think maybe because we didn’t have many military in Iowa, no bases or training areas. I didn’t know about ROT. Memorial Day in my town back in the 50’s WAS a BarB Q or picnic day. School was out and summer was beginning. Oddly enough I actually DID join the military (Army Nurse Corps) even though I was from Iowa, but Viet Nam was in it’s later stages and I wanted to help our guys. Anyway, I then became aware of what Memorial Day was really all about. I think it depends on how and where you were raised and I don’t hold those at fault who only think of it as a party. However, once a person knows the truth, I think they should honor it as a day of thankfulness to those who serve or who have served.

- Amanda Formaro says
  
  May 25, 2015 at 9:17 am
  
  I agree, it’s more about awareness and educating people about a holiday that has a really important meaning. No harm in having a barbecue and enjoying family and friends after you’ve paid your respects :)

Military Clothespin Airplanes