• 108 ideas
  • Checked October 2026

American Spirit Week Ideas

Red, white and blue outfits from the closet, plus theme days and line-ups for an American spirit week.

American Spirit Week Ideas

Show all 21
  1. Three Layers, Three ColorsA red tee, a white shirt left open over it and a blue jacket. Take one layer off and you are still on theme.
  2. Blue Jeans, White Tee, Red ShoesThe three colors with nothing to plan: jeans, a plain white tee and red sneakers or red socks.
  3. Top to ToeRed at the top, white in the middle, blue at the bottom: a red headband, a white shirt and blue jeans.
  4. Bunting OrderBlue on top, white in the middle, red below: a blue shirt, a white belt and red pants or shorts. It is the order the Flag Code gives for bunting.
  5. Navy With White DotsA navy top with white polka dots reads as a field of stars. Add anything red below.

Next step Year-round days for the week

All 108 ideas

Red, white and blue from the closet 21

  • All White With Two Ribbons White from collar to shoes, with a red ribbon and a blue ribbon tied at one wrist or in your hair.
  • Blue Jeans, White Tee, Red Shoes The three colors with nothing to plan: jeans, a plain white tee and red sneakers or red socks.
  • Blue on Top, Stripes Below A solid blue top over red-and-white striped pants, a striped skirt or striped socks: stars-and-stripes colors, built from separate pieces.
  • Bunting Order Blue on top, white in the middle, red below: a blue shirt, a white belt and red pants or shorts. It is the order the Flag Code gives for bunting.
  • Comfortable in Three Colors Navy sweatpants, a white tee and a red zip hoodie.
  • Double Denim and a Red Bandana A jean jacket over jeans, a white tee between them and a red bandana in the back pocket.
  • Navy Blazer, Red Tie A navy blazer over a white shirt with a red tie, a red scarf or a red pocket square: the dressed-up version.
  • Navy Stripes and Something Red A navy and white striped tee, white pants or shorts and one red thing: a belt, a scarf or a pair of socks.
  • Navy With White Dots A navy top with white polka dots reads as a field of stars. Add anything red below.
  • Old Tie-Dye in Red or Blue A tie-dye tee from the back of the drawer, red or blue with white showing through, over jeans.
  • One Red Lace, One Blue White sneakers with a red lace in one and a blue lace in the other, under any jeans. Trade a lace with a friend if you own only one color.
  • Overalls Over Red Denim overalls over a red tee, with white socks and white sneakers.
  • Plaid in All Three Any plaid that holds red, white and blue, on a flannel or a skirt, with the rest of the outfit plain.
  • Red Checks and Blue Jeans A red checked shirt with blue jeans and white sneakers: picnic-table colors.
  • Red Flannel at the Waist A white tee and blue jeans with a red flannel shirt tied around your waist by its sleeves.
  • Red Raincoat A red raincoat or windbreaker over blue jeans and a white tee.
  • Red Socks Over the Cuffs A blue hoodie, white sneakers and red socks pulled up over the cuffs of your pants.
  • Tee With Colored Sleeves A white tee with red or blue sleeves, jeans and, where hats are allowed, a cap in the third color.
  • Three Bandanas A red one at your wrist, a white one in your pocket and a blue one tied to your bag.
  • Three Layers, Three Colors A red tee, a white shirt left open over it and a blue jacket. Take one layer off and you are still on theme.
  • Top to Toe Red at the top, white in the middle, blue at the bottom: a red headband, a white shirt and blue jeans.

Stars and stripes to add 15

  • Backpack Bunting A string of small paper triangles in the three colors, tied across your backpack.
  • Flag Pin on the Left A small flag pin on the left lapel, near the heart: where the Flag Code says a lapel pin is worn.
  • Foil Stars on Your Sneakers Foil star stickers on the toes of white sneakers. They peel off on the bus home.
  • Hair Ribbons in Three Colors A red, a white and a blue ribbon on one ponytail, or one color on each of three braids.
  • Paper Chain Necklace Loops of red, white and blue paper linked into a chain long enough to lift over your head.
  • Paper Pinwheel A square of paper cut in from each corner and pinned to a pencil eraser. Carry it in the hallway and it turns as you walk.
  • Paper Star Pin Cut a star from paper, color it and tape it over your heart.
  • Ribbon Rosette Fold a strip of paper into a fan, bend it into a circle and hang two ribbon tails from it: a rosette in three colors.
  • Star Band for a Hat Where hats are allowed: a strip of blue paper with white stars, taped around the crown of any hat.
  • Star Field Pocket A square of blue paper covered in white paper stars, taped over your shirt pocket.
  • Star Headband Paper stars taped to a headband on short strips of paper, so they bob when you nod.
  • Striped Socks Showing Red-and-white striped socks pulled up over the cuffs of blue jeans.
  • Tape Stripes on a White Tee Red tape in stripes across an old white tee. For the flag's own count, the red and white stripes add up to thirteen, starting with red.
  • Three-Thread Bracelet Braid red, white and blue thread or yarn and tie it on at breakfast.
  • Two Wristbands A red wristband on one arm and a blue one on the other, with a white tee between them.

Dress as an American symbol or scene 12

  • Apple Pie A red tee with strips of tan paper taped across it in a lattice, over tan pants: the crust.
  • Astronaut A white hoodie and white pants, gray rain boots and a paper patch on one shoulder that reads USA.
  • Backyard Cookout Host An apron over a checked shirt, a spatula cut from cardboard and a paper plate with a paper burger on it.
  • Bald Eagle A white hood or hat, dark brown clothes and yellow socks: an adult bald eagle is dark brown, with white on its head and tail, and its beak and feet are yellow.
  • County Fair Winner Jeans, boots, a checked shirt and a blue paper ribbon that reads First Place, with what you won it for: "Largest Zucchini."
  • Diner Server An apron, a pencil behind your ear, an order pad and a paper hat folded from one sheet. Take lunch orders for your table.
  • Firework in the Night Sky Black or navy clothes with bursts of red, white and blue paper strips taped at the shoulders and cuffs.
  • Lemonade Stand Owner An apron with a pocket for coins, a paper sign with your price and a pitcher drawn on cardboard.
  • Liberty Bell Brown and bronze from collar to shoes, with a zigzag of dark tape down the front for the famous crack.
  • Parade Watcher Sunglasses pushed up, a paper pinwheel and a small blanket over one arm to save your spot on the curb.
  • Road Trip Navigator Sunglasses pushed up, a folded paper map and a tee from somewhere you have been. Keep a list of every state you can name a license plate from.
  • Statue of Liberty A pale green sheet or towel over one shoulder, a paper crown of rays, a paper torch held up in your right hand and a paper tablet in your left.

Your state and hometown 14

  • Highway Sign A paper shield with the number of the road your school is on, worn as a badge.
  • License Plate Name Tag A paper license plate pinned to your back: your state's name across the top, and your initials and birthday as the number.
  • Local Landmark Draw the water tower, the bridge or the old theater your town is known for and wear it on your chest.
  • Postcard From Here Draw a postcard of a place in your town, write "Wish you were here" on it and pin it to your shirt.
  • Shirt From a Local Fun Run A tee from a town race, a library program, a fire department fundraiser or a diner down the road.
  • State Bird Colors Look up your state bird and dress in its colors, with a paper feather tucked behind one ear.
  • State Flag Colors Look up your state flag and wear only its colors, with nothing printed. Let people guess the state.
  • State Flower Look up your state flower and wear its color, with one made of paper pinned on.
  • State Nickname Sash Write your state's nickname on a paper sash and let people guess which state it belongs to.
  • State Outline Draw your state's outline on paper, color it in and tape it to your shirt, with a star where your town is.
  • Two Places, One Line Lived somewhere else first? Wear a paper outline of both places with a line of tape between them.
  • Welcome Sign A paper road sign across your chest: Welcome to, your town's name and, underneath, "Population: me."
  • What Your State Grows Find one crop your state is known for and come as it: its color from collar to socks and a paper leaf or stem on a headband.
  • Zip Code on Your Back A plain tee with your zip code in tape across the back, where a player's number goes.

For friends or a whole class 11

  • Class Star Count Count the paper stars on every student at lunch. A class that reaches fifty has as many as the flag.
  • Colors by Class Freshmen in red, sophomores in white, juniors in blue and seniors in all three.
  • Colors by Row For the assembly, the front rows wear red, the middle rows white and the back rows blue.
  • Fifty Paper Stars The class cuts fifty white paper stars, the number on the flag, writes a state's name on each and tapes them to a blue door.
  • Living Stripes Thirteen people in a line for the photo, red and white by turns, with red at both ends: the flag has thirteen stripes and starts with red.
  • Longest Bunting Each homeroom strings paper triangles in the three colors over its door. The longest unbroken string wins the hallway.
  • Parade Lap One lap of the hallway or the track with paper pinwheels, in color order: all the reds, then the whites, then the blues.
  • Pinwheel Garden Every student plants one paper pinwheel in the lawn by the front door, in rows of red, white and blue.
  • State Roll Call Each student draws a state from a hat, wears its name on a paper tag and lines up in alphabetical order before the bell.
  • Thank-You Cards The class wears the three colors and writes cards to veterans, firefighters or anyone in town who serves. The office mails them.
  • Three Friends, Three Colors One all in red, one all in white, one all in blue, always standing in that order.

For teachers and staff 9

  • A Star for Every State A paper star on your door for every state you have lived in. Students ask about each one.
  • A Star on Every Paper Wear the colors and put a red or blue star on every paper you hand back that day.
  • Apron at the Staff Cookout For a staff lunch, an apron over the three colors and a turn at serving.
  • Door Bunting Paper triangles in the three colors across the classroom door, cut by the first students to arrive.
  • Gym Class in Three Teams The day's game is played by a red team, a white team and a blue team, sorted by shirt color at the door.
  • Lanyard Ribbons A red, a white and a blue ribbon tied to your lanyard, and a paper star behind your ID.
  • Red Cardigan, White Shirt, Navy Pants On theme and still dressed for a parent meeting.
  • Red Underline, Blue Marker The day's notes in blue marker with red underlines on a white board, and you dressed to match.
  • Staff Photo in Color Order The whole staff lines up for one photo: reds, then whites, then blues.

Theme days for an American spirit week 17

  • Backyard Cookout Day Checked shirts, aprons and sunglasses, and lunch eaten outside if the weather allows.
  • Class Vote Day A paper "I Voted" sticker for everyone who casts a ballot on the last theme day of the week.
  • Coast to Coast Day Half the school dresses for the beach and half for the mountains, split by birthday month.
  • Constitution Day September 17, the date the Constitution was signed in 1787: the three colors, and We the People on a paper banner.
  • County Fair Day Jeans, boots and paper prize ribbons for the best of anything: handwriting, jump shots, drawings of pie.
  • Fifty States Day Every student draws a state on Monday and wears its name, its colors or its outline.
  • Flag Day June 14, the date the Stars and Stripes was adopted in 1777. For a school still in session or a summer camp: the three colors and a paper star.
  • Hometown Pride Day A shirt or a paper sign from the town the school is in.
  • Main Street Day Come as a shop on your town's main street: the bakery in an apron, the barber with a comb, the bookshop with a stack of paperbacks.
  • Parade Day The week's finale: pinwheels, paper bunting and one lap of the building in color order.
  • Postcard Day Everyone draws a postcard of a place in the country they have been or want to see, and wears it pinned on.
  • Red, Then White, Then Blue Red on the first day, white on the second, blue on the third: three days of the week from one idea.
  • Red, White and Blue Day The three colors on everyone, any way they come.
  • Stars Day Stars anywhere: on a tee, on socks, or cut from paper and taped to your sleeves.
  • State Colors Day Everyone in the colors of the state flag, with nothing printed, and the state's outline in chalk at the front door.
  • Stripes Day Red-and-white or blue-and-white stripes, on one piece or on all of them.
  • Thank-You Day The three colors, and a card for someone who serves the town or the country, collected at the office.

Five-day line-ups 9

  • Colors Week Monday red. Tuesday white. Wednesday blue. Thursday stars. Friday stripes, or all of it at once.
  • Cross-Country Week Monday maps and sunglasses. Tuesday a tee from somewhere you have been. Wednesday license plate name tags. Thursday national parks. Friday home again, in school colors.
  • Fifty States Week Monday draw a state. Tuesday its colors. Wednesday its outline on your shirt. Thursday what it grows. Friday every state in red, white and blue.
  • Main Street Week Monday the bakery, in aprons. Tuesday the hardware store, in work shirts. Wednesday the library, with a book under one arm. Thursday the diner, in paper hats. Friday the parade, in red, white and blue.
  • Small Town Week Monday hometown shirts. Tuesday county fair ribbons. Wednesday diner aprons. Thursday ball caps. Friday a parade lap in red, white and blue.
  • Stars and Stripes Week Monday stripes. Tuesday stars. Wednesday denim. Thursday bandanas. Friday all three colors and a group photo.
  • Summer Holiday Week Monday picnic checks. Tuesday cookout aprons. Wednesday pinwheels. Thursday paper fireworks on dark clothes. Friday red, white and blue.
  • Symbols Week Monday eagles, in brown and white. Tuesday paper torches. Wednesday bells, in brown and bronze. Thursday stars. Friday red, white and blue.
  • Thank the Town Week Monday cards for veterans. Tuesday red for the firefighters. Wednesday blue for the mail carriers. Thursday a paper medal for a school helper. Friday all three colors.

How it works

These American spirit week ideas start with America day outfits from the closet, such as denim overalls over a red tee with white socks. Others turn a zip code, a state bird or a town landmark into the outfit.

Read the full guide

America day spirit week ideas that do not wear a flag

The United States Flag Code (4 U.S.C. 8) says the flag should never be used as wearing apparel or as a costume. It sets down custom for civilians, so the ideas here use the colors, stars and stripes on their own, and nobody wears a flag as a cape. A small flag pin goes on the left lapel, near the heart.

Patriotic day spirit week ideas for a whole school

Colors alone are the version every closet can join: ask for red, white or blue and nothing printed. A committee with five days to fill can take a line-up as it stands, or build one from single days such as Fifty States Day and Hometown Pride Day.

  • One red thing finishes most outfits: blue jeans and a white tee are already two of the three colors.

Questions and answers

What are American spirit week ideas for five days?

Monday red, Tuesday white, Wednesday blue, Thursday stars and Friday stripes. Or mix single days: Red, White and Blue Day, Fifty States Day, County Fair Day, Backyard Cookout Day and a Parade Day to finish.

What do you wear for America day in spirit week?

Blue jeans, a white tee and red shoes cover it. For more, try a navy top with white dots over anything red, or three layers: a red tee, an open white shirt and a blue jacket.

What are patriotic day spirit week ideas for a class?

Three friends in one color each, thirteen people lined up in red and white by turns for a photo, colors by row at the assembly, or fifty paper stars taped to a blue door.

What are America day spirit week ideas besides red, white and blue?

Dress as a symbol or a scene: the Statue of Liberty with a paper torch in the right hand, a bald eagle in a white hood and dark brown clothes, a cookout host in an apron, or your own state's outline.

More tools

Show 6 more

Browse Acting and Drawing