Colour the Union Flag: Free KS1 Geography Worksheet

What children learn from this worksheet

This activity supports the Key Stage 1 geography aim of helping children name and identify the four countries that make up the United Kingdom: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Union Flag is treated as a key characteristic of the UK, so colouring it correctly helps fix its red, white and blue pattern in a child's memory. The short questions then ask what the flag is called, which country it belongs to, how many countries make up the UK and the names of two of them. A common mix-up at this age is thinking that England and the United Kingdom are the same place; the flag is a good way in, because it is made from the flags of different parts of the UK.

The story behind the Union Flag

The Union Flag combines three older crosses. The upright red cross on a white background is the cross of Saint George, the flag of England. The white diagonal cross on a blue background is the cross of Saint Andrew, the flag of Scotland. The red diagonal cross is the cross of Saint Patrick, associated with Ireland and now Northern Ireland. Wales is not directly represented because, when the flag was designed, Wales was treated as part of the Kingdom of England. Many people call it the 'Union Jack'. Both names are correct, and children may hear either. For young children, the key idea is simply that several flags were joined together to make one flag for the whole United Kingdom.

How to use the colour key

Before colouring, look at the key together and find each part on the drawing. The big upright cross in the middle is red. Each diagonal band is split into three stripes: the middle stripe is red and the two outer stripes stay white. The eight triangles in the corners are blue. The trickiest part is the diagonal bands, because the red stripe is not quite in the centre of each white band. If you have a real Union Flag, a sticker or a picture on a screen to hand, colour with it beside you and compare at the end. There is no need for the flag to be perfect; the aim is to know its pattern and colours.

Extending the activity at home or in class

Once the flag is coloured, you can extend the learning in several simple ways. Look together at a map of the British Isles and point out the four countries. Compare the Union Flag with the flags of England and Scotland to find their crosses in it, then look at the Welsh flag with its red dragon and talk about why it is not part of the Union Flag. Talk about where children might have seen the Union Flag, such as at sporting events, on buildings or during national celebrations. For a creative follow-on, children could design a flag for their own family or classroom, choosing colours and a simple pattern and explaining what each part means.

Frequently asked questions