Ways to Honor Veterans Day with Your Children

"Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day."

-Charles B. Rangel

As Veteran Day approaches on November 11, we thought we’d share some meaningful ways you and your children can honor Veterans Day this year. 

Let’s begin with understanding the veteran memorial symbol: The Poppy. 

“In Flanders Fields” and the tradition of the poppy 

In 1915 Canadian doctor and soldier Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields” amidst World War I, after his friend was killed at the Second Battle of Ypres. Seeing red poppies growing between the crosses of the graves, he was inspired to write the poem. The poem is one of the most famous and quoted war poems, initiating the symbolism of red poppies as a remembrance for veterans and their sacrifice.

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.

McCrae’s poem inspired the tradition of wearing poppies in remembrance of veterans and their sacrifice. Anna Guérin of France sold silk poppies to raise funds for war torn areas and veterans. The United States adopted the poppy flower as a symbol of remembrance, leading the American Legion Auxiliary to officially adopt it as the memorial flower in 1920. 

Ways to honor veterans with children

Make a poppy flower and hand it out to veterans (along with the “In Flanders Fields” poem!)

This is a great way to thank veterans for their sacrifice. You can attend a Veterans Day event, visit a nursing home, or pass them out to veterans in your family. 

Here is a short youtube tutorial on how to make a poppy flower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe0uqc6ImgQ

Read a story about a veteran

The Wounded Warrior Project has many veteran stories through their “Meet a Warrior” initiative. This is a great way for students to learn about the real-life, everyday sacrifices of a veteran. 

Meet a Warrior: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/mission/meet-a-warrior

Teach proper flag etiquette

Teach your children the history of the American flag and how to properly display it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HWeudb05Qw

Have a history lesson about how Veteran’s Day came to be and its significance 

This video from the History Channel gives a brief history of Veterans Day and its importance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymCa1eB_qLA

Other ideas to include in your Veterans Day history lesson: 

• Define what a veteran is—anyone who has served in the military, in times of peace or war.

  
  

• Discuss the five branches of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) and their roles.

  
  

• Talk about values like duty, courage, honor, and selflessness—and how these relate to veterans’ experiences.

  
  

• Share short biographies of notable veterans (e.g., Tuskegee Airmen, Navajo Code Talkers, women in service, or local veterans).

• If possible, invite a local veteran or show a video interview where veterans share what service means to them.

• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Discuss its importance and the tradition of the changing of the guard.

  
  

• National moments of silence: Mention the observance at 11:00 a.m. on November 11.

Attend a local Veterans Day event

A simple Google search of “Veterans Day events around me” will help you find a local event honoring veterans. 

Make letters or drawings expressing appreciation and give them to a veteran

Pass them out at a local Veterans Day event or give them to a veteran you know in your community. 

Read a novel with your teen that takes place during a war era

World War 2:

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne 

Cody Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank 

Uprooted: The Japanese American Experience During World War 2 by Albert Marrin

The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman 

Vietnam War: 

Boots on the Ground: America’s War in Vietnam by Elizabeth Partridge 

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret Society of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin 

Close-Up on War: The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam by Mary Cronk Farrell

On Blood Road by Steve Watkins 

War in Afghanistan:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 

Enduring Freedom by Trent Reedy

Fly Like a Girl by Mary Jennings Hegar

Veterans’ Journeys Home: Life After Afghanistan and Iraq by Lori Holyfield 

We hope that these ideas help you as you teach your children the importance of honoring veterans.