Next Monday we celebrate Memorial Day.
Some see it as the unofficial start to summer but there is a much more important meaning. On Memorial Day we remember and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. We made a family craft this week in honor of Memorial Day and I love how it turned out.
Scroll down to read about the meaning of poppies on Memorial Day and the instructions for our simple Poppy Kids Craft.
Why are poppies a symbol of Memorial Day?
The red poppy is a powerful symbol of remembrance of the service and sacrifice of those who died in service to our nation. Poppies were one of the only plants to grow on the barren battlefields after WWI and the red flowers are also a metaphor for spilled blood on the battlefield.
Members of The American Legion Auxiliary have been helping the nation to remember by distributing the remembrance poppy to the public for one hundred years. We donate and receive poppies every year from them.
From the American Legion website.
What You Need:
- 6 large popsicle sticks
- 6 white cupcake liners
- red. green, and black markers {or any color desired}
- glue
Directions:
- Using the red markers, flatten the liners then color them all over on one side.
- Using the black marker, draw a center in each colored flower.
- Add glue to the top of each stick and press on colored flowers.
- Color the bottom visible part of the stick green.
- Now you can glue to cardstock, or place in a display or vase for Memorial Day.
Using the red markers, flatten the liners then color them all over on one side.
Ashton even made poppies with his girls.
Using the black marker, draw a center in each colored flower.
Add glue to the top of each stick and press on colored flowers.
Color the bottom visible part of the stick green.
Stella’s beautiful rainbow flower!
Ava’s beautiful poppy creation!
Ava wanted to make more and more!
Poppies are red but the kids can use any color of the rainbow if they desire!
Now you can glue to cardstock, or place in a display or vase for Memorial Day.
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae
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.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you, from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders fields.
Such a beautifully meaningful craft that will help the true meaning of Memorial Day to stick in their minds and remember!
Such a sweet, simple craft for Memorial Day – love it!!! And I love how it gives a chance to explain poppies' symbolic importance to kids, too.
What a lovely craft. This is a nice thing to do with the kids and such a wonderful message and something for little ones to learn about.
This is cute! I bet my little girl would love to do this. She's into crafting and a lot of art activities lately. Thank you for sharing this.
This is so cool and a great activity that all ages can do. Very cute.