On November 11, Canadians all over the country take time to remember those who served their country. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served their country and more than 100,000 have died. Remembrance day is a day to remember and honor those who fought for our freedom and rights.
The younger generations must also learn to partake in Remembrance Day, so that our future generations do not forget. By making fun crafts, you can get children involved in Remembrance Day and help continue the tradition of remembering our veterans.
Coloring Crafts for Kids to Make for Remembrance Day
There are many coloring pages you can download on the Internet for kids to color. There are poppies and fields, flags and fireworks. Kids can also color the Canadian flag or draw their own.
If your child colors a flag or poppy, you can cut out the image once they are done and tape or staple it to a small stick. They can take their personalized flags to the parades and ceremonies and be proud of what they have done to support Remembrance Day!
Paper Crafts Children Can Make for Remembrance Day
You can find many crafts online that children can do for Remembrance Day. A popular craft is the poppy wreath.
You will need:
- printer
- paper
- scissors
- glue
- crayons
- paper plate
You can print out poppies or draw them yourself. Cut them out and let the kids color them all. Cut the center of the paper plate out, to make a wreath shape. You can leave the wreath uncolored or color it if you choose.
Paste all the poppies on the wreath, overlapping each other and covering as much of the paper plate that you can. You can further decorate it by pasting a bow or words like “Lest We Forget” on the top. Staple, or tape, some yarn onto the back of the wreath and hang it up.
Flander’s Fields Poem Craft for Remembrance Day
Children can color a piece of paper to serve as a background for this poem to be pasted on:
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
~ John McCrae
Simply type the poem and print it out, or have the kids write it out on paper. Cut the poem out and paste it onto your colored background. Some background ideas that children can color are:
- a field of grassy meadows and blue skies
- poppies
- families holding hands
- children playing
- the Canadian flag
- fireworks
Importance of Remembrance Day: Why We Need to Remember
The wars were real and affected the lives of many Canadians, regardless of age, race or social class. Today, the only war we really see is on television and we are fortunate to have the freedom and rights that we do. Our ancestors fought to make sure we shouldn’t ever have to. We must not only remember those who fought for us but what they were striving for – peace.
We need to remember to work towards peace, for a better future. A future that will ensure our children and their children, will have the very same rights and freedoms we had growing up.
More on the History of Remembrance Day
References:
Veterans Affairs Canada. “A Day of Remembrance” (accessed November 2, 2010).
Crayola. "Craft Ideas" (accessed November 2, 2010).
DLTK-Holidays. “Poppy Wreath” (accessed November 2, 2010).
Tamara Laschinsky - Health and wellness advocate, author, researcher and owner of Natural e GREEN: Natural Health & Wellness store!
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