CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ~ JORDAN
Veteran’s Day isn’t often
associated with activities or playful projects, but today I am here to tell you
there is simply no reason why we can’t
make this a fun day for everyone. Teaching children to honor our country’s
veterans and appreciate what they do for us doesn’t have to be somber or
depressing. Rather, it can be as exciting and engaging as any other holiday.
Of course, this is a
great time to order a new American flag to display in your yard,
as part of your centerpiece or even to fly from your car, but why stop there?
Get the kids together for a few of these great crafts normally reserved for the
Fourth of July or Memorial Day and make them a part of your Veteran’s Day
traditions.
1. Sidewalk
Chalk Stars
These fun stars will
encourage the kids to draw all over the driveway in red, white,\ and blue and
offer a different tactile experience than standard chalk sticks. The kids will
be especially invested after they help make the chalk itself. Find the tutorial here.
2. Firecracker
Popcorn
This delicious popcorn
comes together fast and is a perfect snack to munch on while watching a movie
that celebrates American history like Miracle,
or Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. A
combination of microwave popcorn, white chocolate, strawberry pop rocks and
blue sprinkles will have any kid running to the next family night.
3. Star
Spangled Windsock
Originally earmarked for
the Fourth, this fun windsock is a great play on the traditional banner flag and makes
for a fun afternoon with the kids, some spray paint and tin cans. You’ll want
to do this one with older kids who can handle lots of different materials. These
are great for gifts to fellow patriots
and a lot of fun to hang outdoors.
4. Dessert
Flag
It’s snack time for tiny patriots! Not a craft exactly, this
is more of a fun way to get young kids excited
about their fruits at snack time. Put out a picture of a completed American flag and see if your kiddos
can make their snack tray match, or just serve it and talk about what the stars
and stripes represent. Be ready for this one to disappear fast!
5. Uncle
Sam Mask
Are
you ready for some of the cutest photos you’ve ever taken? Get everyone
together to make a few of these amazing Uncle Sam masks,
complete with a cotton ball beard. I like this one because it’s explained clearly enough for kids
of around seven or eight to try on their own.
Once you
have a set of masks ready to go, get your camera. They make talking about
patriotism very fun and extra silly.
6. Patriotic
Painted Rocks
Painted rocks are a great project for any young, budding artists. The texture
of the rocks and fun shapes encourage kids to loosen up a little as they paint
and enjoy the process a little more. They also give parents a quick and easy
outdoor decoration that can be a border around the garden or colorful touches
in a stone walkway. Put a final sealant on the finished rocks so they can
survive a rainstorm and hot, sunny weather.
7. DIY
Eraser-Stamped Shirt
Did you know that an
unused pencil’s eraser can double as a fun stamp? It’s true! You can make a
great design with a simple stencil and some dots made from a little eraser all
around. I especially love this craft because it’s adaptable to any
special day, and the kids can help paint in a light, approachable way. The finished product is gorgeous.
8. Star-Spangled
Sugar Cookies
This easy and quick recipe makes use of ready-made sugar
cookie dough and then adds blue and red Jolly Rancher candies to give them a
bright, shiny center. Take these to your local veteran’s center and invite some
friendly vets to have cookies and milk with your little patriots. It’s a great excuse to eat some cookies and hear about
the lives of those who’ve come before them.
9. Shaving
Cream Fireworks
This is another super fun
project for little artists. They get to play with shaving cream, dots of paint
and make a fun print when the whole process is done. Best of
all, this project makes for pictures that are
worthy of a frame or made into a Veteran’s Day card. I like this one because
it’s gender neutral and very interactive, so even parents can get in on the
excitement.
10. Read
a Patriotic Story Together
Young children always
respond well to a beautifully illustrated, emotional story about people from
all walks of life. This is a list of 12 different books to
read together to help your children understand the concept of Veterans Day a
little better or even why their own parents serve in the military. There’s a good balance
of all different perspectives including one about the use of poppies in Britain
for Remembrance Day.
11. Make
a Paper Soldier
If
your family has a member currently serving or if your children are just
intrigued by the idea of soldiers and their uniforms, take advantage of the
situation and try out this fun paper craft. You can use this time to talk to them
about why a person might choose to serve and ask what they think a soldier does
while they’re away. In the end, they’ll walk away with this fun character and a
better understanding of America’s armed forces.
12. Give
a Thank You Card
This link doesn’t lead to
a tutorial but a picture of the finished product. If
you want
the download for the printable template, you’ll have to go to
TeachersPayTeachers.com and search for The Creative Classroom. However, it’s a
basic border and text, so most people can draw on their computer at home. The
kids can help if they’re computer savvy and decorate the card with fun tissue
paper. String them together for a banner or keep them separate as cards to be
brought to veterans.
13. A
Family Painted Pallet
You’ve probably seen
packing pallets repainted in many different ways, but I like this one a lot because it gives the
kids a chance to add their hand prints to the design. All you need is a little paint and a couple of hours to kill.
Display it on your front porch or in your backyard all summer long.
14. A
Bench for Patriots to Sit Together
In that same vein, here’s a painted bench that could also be a family
project. This version goes back to traditional stars, as that the planks of
wood don’t offer the same amount of space, but the kids can still help if they
have a good stencil for guidance.
15. Stars
and Ribbons
Popsicle stick crafts are
always popular because the sticks make projects come together quickly, and
they’re cheap and easy to get a hold of. This one is meant for the Fourth, but it works for any time of year. Make
stars out of your sticks and then drape
ribbons from the points to add drama and fun to the look. They’re perfect to
use as decoration on any wall inside or out.
16. Send
Some Love
If you and your family
have someone serving, or if you just want to show your appreciation, there are
some great ways to do so through the mail. Military.comhas a list of what soldiers need and want and how to help your soldier
feel less homesick, like recordings of the kids singing. They also have some
great tips on what you should not pack to send overseas.
17. Send
a Themed Box
There are some great
ideas for care packages, but if you want to send sentiment, try this Open When… box. The package is filled with
additional, smaller packages all wrapped in plain paper and labeled with things
like Open when you’re sick or Open when you’re mad at me. I love this
one because instead of being a big box of candy or video games, it’s a reminder
of the love between family members and something the recipient can open little
by little and help them get through the tough days.
18. Turn
Cards into a Book
I absolutely love this as
an addition for the kids to throw into a little care package. All you need is a pack of cards, some scraps of
paper and a marker. Then, ask your kids to think of everything they love about
the family member currently deployed and write a reason on each card. This version has them combined with some metal
rings, which helps keep them in order and makes them look nice. This is
a fast, inexpensive and fun project that any soldier or veteran will love.
19. Turn
a Handprint into a Battalion
If you
have a preschooler who wants to get in on the veteran’s day fun, have him or her make a green
handprint and then top each finger with a cute little soldier face. Top it off
with a print out of a tank and boom —you have your own mini army. Adorable.
20. Guide
Them Home with These Lights
If you have some mason
jars taking up space on the shelves, order some small
flags and add some tea lights (or electric tea lights), to place inside and
light up the flag. I love this version of mason jar lights because
they make a quick and easy mini moment of thanks to those who have served. And
they look great.
21. Welcome
a Soldier Home with a Gift Basket
Not every returning
soldier wants a big party in their honor (always ask before any grand
gestures), but a soft spoken, thoughtful gift is definitely in order. This
toolbox of appreciation is great for any person who lives for their
tools, and the kids can help pick out different things to include. The tutorial includes free, printable labels.
22. Make
a Beauty Moment
If your returning fighter
is more excited by the idea of self-care
than a toolbox, this is just a fun thing to have waiting for them in the bathroom. This homemade lemon scrub is a sweet way to say “thank
you” anytime they want to scrub the grime off their hands or just exfoliate in
general. It’s these luxuries that make coming home more special.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment