18 Super Simple Shield Activities For Students

A child’s imagination and creativity are enriched through their awareness of art and history. When they have a strong imagination, children are better able to demonstrate critical thinking, visualization, empathy, and, even cultural understanding. Allowing creative expression by making shields for role-playing, self-expression, or learning about other cultures plays an integral role in helping them develop curiosity while fostering social-emotional skills. Here are 18 super simple shield activities to spark their imagination.

1. Viking Shield

Here’s a fun hands-on activity for children to create a Viking shield. Cut out a cardboard shield and let kids decorate with colored tape, aluminum foils, and construction paper. Props are great for active recreation and dramatic play. 

Learn More: Kids Activities

2. Knight’s Shield

Kids can pretend to be brave knights when they create a shield using a cardboard cut-out. They can line the shield with foil to create a shiny effect before embellishing their creations with emblems.

Learn More: Family Fun Friday

3. Personal Shield

Invite kids to show off their personalities by creating personalized shields. Start by making shields out of plain paper before having kids write their names and draw pictures of their favorite foods, hobbies, and other fun facts on their creations. 

Learn More: Fairy Dust Teaching

4. Decorate the Shield

Creative kids can unleash their design skills on this blank shield template. They can decorate the shield any way they please before hosting a show and tell to share their design choices. 

Learn More: Activity Village

5. Family Crest

The family crest shield is similar to a family trademark with symbols. Students add symbols on the crest worksheet that represent their family member’s personalities, interests, and values, making this a great gift family keepsake or gift. 

Learn More: Printablee

6. Get to Know Me Shield

This is a perfect activity for the beginning of the school year. Students can share information about themselves on the shield worksheet such as their hobbies, and favorite subjects, helping them focus on their positive traits.

Learn More: TES

7. Goal Setting Shield

Here’s a fun way to get students to reflect on their goals. These shield templates allow them to map out their learning and personal goals. The accompanying worksheets support them in identifying how to set specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely goals.

Learn More: The Exciting Teacher

8. I am Brave Shield

Coping with fears can be challenging for kids. Download this simple template before having your kids print different skills that they can use to boost their bravery. This SEL activity can be modified to focus on an anger management theme by inviting kids to suggest ways to regulate their anger.

Learn More: My Brave Guide

9. Frisbee Shield

Play a game of frisbee with a superhero shield to promote physical activity in children! Download the superhero printout before having kids glue it to their frisbee. Boost variety by grabbing extra frisbees and using each of the printables provided. 

Learn More: Get Away Today

10. Make a Super Hero Shield

Some superheroes have capes and others have shields. Kids can become superheroes and design a shield reflective of their unique character. These blank templates can be decorated with designs that depict each child’s superpower.

Learn More: Just Family Fun

11. Viking Shield Coloring Pages

Viking shields have intricate designs and symbols. These templates provide kids the opportunity to color in the templates for creative expression while appreciating the beautiful patterns. Why not display them in the classroom or on a school bulletin board to show off their unique ideas? 

Learn More: Baker Ross

12. Native American Shield Project

For this wonderful Native American art activity, students will look at different kinds of symbols found in petroglyphs and pictographs created by many different indigenous tribes before creating their shields using these symbols.

Learn More: Zilker Elementary Art

13. Make Wonder Woman’s Shield (YouTube)

Kids can get into character by making a cool Wonder Woman shield. You’ll need a flat pizza pan, red foil wrapping paper, and gold tape. This realistic shield makes a great addition to a Halloween costume or playtime fun.

Learn More: DC Kids

14. DIY Paper Plate Shields

Little ones can make adorable shields using paper plates. Inspired by the cartoon, My Knight and Me on Cartoon Network, kids can decorate their DIY shield to represent their personality traits using ribbons, jewels, and markers. 

Learn More: The Simple Parent

15. Pin the Star On the Shield Game

This game is perfect for birthday parties or any time you need a fun game. Kids can draw and color Captain America’s shield on poster paper before cutting out star shapes. To finish off, attach the tape to the back of the stars and have students try to pin the star on the shield while blindfolded.

Learn More: Big Family Blessings

16: Native American Shields Lesson Plan

Teachers will appreciate this ready-made lesson plan featuring shields used by Native Americans. Students will enjoy the variety of teaching materials that include reading about the history, types, designs, and role these shields played in Native American lives as well as the discussion questions that help them apply what they’ve learned.

Learn More: Study.com

17. Heraldry Lesson Plan

This fantastic, printable resource provides students with a complete understanding of heraldry. Students complete a series of activities and games such as matching and drawing as they learn about this fascinating piece of history.

Learn More: Curiosity Untamed

18. Online Crest and Coat of Arms Generator

This online art teaching resource provides students who enjoy graphic design with a unique opportunity to create a family crest or a personal shield using digital tools.

Learn More: My Tribe 101