Flags Teaching Resources
Introduce students to Australia's flags and flags of the world with engaging and interactive teacher resources from Teach Starter!
This collection of printable and digital activities aligns with the Australian HASS curriculum, and it's packed with everything you need to explore these important symbols of the globe's various countries, as well as flags from the states and territories of our own nation — including Aboriginal flags.
Within this collection you'll find flags to use in decorating the classroom, fun activities that ignite students' creativity and so much more!
Whether you're new to teaching this section of the curriculum or you're just looking for some fresh ideas, read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a definition of flag you can share with your students and some common questions kids have about the Australian flags.
What Is a Flag? A Kid-Friendly Definition
Wondering how to define flags for your students? Here's a definition our teacher team uses to explain what we mean when we use the word:
A flag is a piece of cloth with specific and distinctive colours, patterns and symbols on it. Flags are used as symbols to represent countries, particular groups and causes.
How Many Flags Are There in the World?
One questions we've fielded more than a few times is just how many flags there are in the world. It's a hard question to answer because flags aren't just used by countries.
However, this is a good opportunity to explain that fact to students!
You might want to explain that flags are commonly associated with countries, but they can also represent other entities like states, territories, cities or even certain groups of people.
A flag can be a nation's symbol, but it may also be a way a group communicates its identity or shares a message of unity.
Here in Australia, we have our national flag, but we also have flags for the various states and territories, as well as the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag that you may see proudly flying on a flagpole.
Australian Flag Facts to Share With Students
Are you looking for some fun facts about the Aussie flags to share with your students? Here are a few favourites to spark conversation as well as address students' frequent questions!
How Many Stars Are on the Australian Flag?
The Australian National Flag has six different stars on it. The five stars on the right represent the Southern Cross, the brightest constellation in the Southern Hemisphere.
The star on the left side of the flag is called the Commonwealth Star. It has seven points, representing the six states plus the nation's territories.
Who Designed the Australian Flag?
Here's a fun flag fact that might surprise your students! The Australian National Flag we proudly hang in our schools today was designed by a student.
Back in 1901, a 14-year-old boy named Ivor William Evans entered a competition to design the new national flag, and he won!
Why Does Australia Have Two Flags?
If your students have ever seen a red flag that looks quite a bit like the Australian national flag, they may be confused. Is it a fake? No!
The official Australian National Flag is blue with a Union Jack in the upper left and a series of stars surrounding it. It was officially made the national flag with the passage of the Flags Act 1953.
The red flag with the same symbols was designated at that time as the official flag for Australian registered merchant ships to fly when at sea.
- Plus Plan
Flags of the World - Print and Cursive Alphabet Line
Display the alphabet in print or cursive with a unique Flags of the World Alphabet Line.
- Plus Plan
Significant Australian Flags
A set of 4 significant Australian flags with explanations.
- Plus Plan
Flags of the World Posters
Use this set of 195 posters depicting the flags of the world's nations in the classroom.
- Plus Plan
South American Flags
Decorate your travel-themed classroom with a set of fourteen flags from South America.
- Plus Plan
Flags of Australia – Art Activity
A creative art activity to use when commemorating important events such as Australia Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
- Plus Plan
Neighbours of Australia Flags
Twelve flags from countries surrounding Australia.
- Plus Plan
African Flags Worksheets - BW
Eight black and white worksheets with flags from Africa.
- Plus Plan
South American Flags Worksheets - BW
Fourteen black and white worksheets with flags from South America.
- Plus Plan
The Australian Flag Poster and Worksheet
A poster and worksheet of the Australian Flag.
- Plus Plan
Asian Flags Worksheets - BW
Thirty-seven black and white worksheets with a selection of flags from Asia.
- Plus Plan
Oceania Flags Worksheets - BW
Ten black and white worksheets with a selection of flags from the Oceania region.
- Plus Plan
Class Flag Activity Worksheet
An activity for students to create a class flag.
- Plus Plan
Asian Flags
A collection of 38 flags from Asian countries.
- Plus Plan
New Zealand Flags
Study New Zealand with your students using our flag worksheets.
- Plus Plan
European Flags Worksheets - BW
Twenty-seven black and white worksheets with a selection of flags from Europe.
- Plus Plan
North American Flags Worksheets - BW
Seventeen black and white worksheets with flags from North America.
- Plus Plan
African Flags
Eight flags from Africa.