Honouring Remembrance Day with Young Children: Age-Appropriate Conversations and Activities

Remembrance Day, observed on November 11th, holds a significant place in Canadian history and is a time to honour those who served and sacrificed in times of conflict. For parents and educators, it presents an important opportunity to teach young children about respect, empathy, and gratitude. However, addressing topics like war and loss can be challenging with young children. Through thoughtful, age-appropriate conversations and play-based learning, we can help children understand the importance of Remembrance Day and instil a sense of appreciation for those who dedicated their lives to peace.

In this blog, we’ll explore ways to introduce the concept of Remembrance Day to young children, discuss how to approach these conversations in an age-appropriate way, and suggest engaging activities that encourage children to reflect, remember, and express their respect for this meaningful holiday.

Why Remembrance Day is Important

Remembrance Day is more than just a holiday; it is an opportunity to reflect on the courage, sacrifices, and dedication of those who fought for peace. Introducing young children to this concept can help them develop empathy and a deeper understanding of history. Celebrating Remembrance Day with children can also provide a foundation for teaching values such as kindness, courage, and community, which are essential to their social-emotional development.

Age-Appropriate Ways to Talk About Remembrance Day

Approaching conversations about Remembrance Day with young children requires sensitivity and simplicity. Here are some ways to help explain the holiday based on developmental stages:

Ages 3-5: Focusing on Symbols and Simple Concepts

For very young children, it’s best to keep the conversation simple and focus on symbols they can understand, such as the poppy. Explain that the poppy is a symbol of remembering special people who helped keep our country safe. You could tell them that Remembrance Day is a time to say “thank you” to those who cared for others.

Activity Idea: Have children create poppy art, either by colouring, painting, or crafting poppies with tissue paper. This introduces them to the symbol of the poppy in a hands-on, age-appropriate way.

Ages 6-8: Introducing the Concept of Service and Gratitude

Children in this age group are ready for a more detailed understanding of why we celebrate Remembrance Day. Explain that some people made sacrifices to keep us safe, and we remember them with kindness and gratitude. This is also an excellent time to discuss qualities like bravery, helpfulness, and caring for others.

Activity Idea: Read a story or picture book about Remembrance Day or themes of peace and kindness. Encourage children to share how they can show kindness in their own lives.

Ages 9-12: Understanding Sacrifice and Historical Context

Older children are often able to grasp more complex ideas about conflict and sacrifice. Share age-appropriate stories of real people who served, and discuss why we wear poppies and observe a moment of silence. Encourage children to ask questions and reflect on the importance of peace.

Activity Idea: Encourage children to write a letter of gratitude to veterans or create a “Remembrance Wall” in the classroom, where they can post messages or drawings expressing their appreciation.

FREE Remembrance Day Craft and Activities Printables

Remembrance Day Poppies

Honour and remember with this beautiful Remembrance Day Loose Parts Poppy Invitation. This hands-on activity encourages children to create poppies with loose parts, sparking conversations about remembrance, peace, and gratitude. By designing their own poppy patterns, little ones engage in open-ended exploration while developing fine motor skills and creativity.

Using loose parts in different shapes and shades of red and green, children can create their own interpretations of poppies, fostering creativity and mindfulness. It’s a meaningful way to introduce young children to cultural and historical themes through play-based learning.

Why is this activity meaningful?

Cultural Awareness: Introduces children to the importance of Remembrance Day, fostering empathy and understanding.

Fine Motor Skills: Picking up and placing small pieces strengthens hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Creative Expression: Open-ended design with loose parts encourages creativity and personal interpretation.

Ways to extend the learning:

-Share stories or books about Remembrance Day to deepen understanding.

-Encourage children to arrange different patterns and talk about their designs, enhancing language skills and social-emotional learning.

Perfect for quiet reflection, this loose parts play is both calming and meaningful, helping children connect with history in a gentle, age-appropriate way.

Watercolour Poppies

Can you create a poppy for Remembrance Day? This easy craft allows children to reflect on the significance of poppies and what they symbolize for remembering our veterans.

Take a sheet of diffusing watercolour paper and cut out the shape of a poppy (or use flower diffusing cut outs). Then pour red liquid watercolour paint in a paint pot and in a spray bottle diluted with a little bit of water. When ready begin dropping your paint all over the flowers and then diffusing it by spraying water. Once your flowers are fully coloured leave them to dry! Once dry, gently crumple two flowers for texture and unfold them, layer them on top of each other. Gently pinch the bottom and use a green pipe cleaner to act as your flower stem and wrap it around. Flatten the top and then glue a pom pom in the centre.

As you create more poppies you can talk about the poem In Flanders Fields and create your own field of poppy's.

Remembrance Day Light Panel Poppies!

This beautiful light panel activity combines play-based learning with the importance of Remembrance Day, inviting children to create vibrant poppies using loose parts. As children arrange red and black pieces on the light panel, they engage in a hands-on exploration of fine motor skills, creativity, and pattern recognition—all while learning about the significance of the poppy symbol in Canadian culture.

Why this activity is meaningful:

Symbolic Learning: Introduces children to the concept of remembrance in an age-appropriate way.

Fine Motor Skills: Encourages careful placement of small parts, refining hand-eye coordination.

Light Panel Exploration: Enhances focus and sensory engagement with the glowing backdrop, making each creation stand out beautifully.

Extend the experience:

-Invite children to share what they know or feel about Remembrance Day.

-Experiment with different colours to make unique poppies or create a field of poppies together.

-Add a drawing or writing component, encouraging children to express what the poppy represents to them.

This light panel invitation provides a thoughtful blend of learning, reflection, and creativity—perfect for honouring Remembrance Day with young minds.

Fields of Poppies Process Art

Can you fill the field with poppies? In Flanders Fields the poem by John McCrae tells of a field full of poppies blowing between the crosses row in row which was the inspiration of this process art.

We wear poppies as a visual pledge to never forget those who served and sacrificed for peace.

Simply take a piece of Bristol board and using a crayon draw grass to be your field. When ready use different art materials to form your field of poppies collaboratively. Talk about why wearing poppies are important! Listen to the poem as you create.

A Poppy to Remember Loose Parts Play Tray

Honouring Remembrance Day through play, this poppy-themed loose parts tray invites children to reflect on the symbolism of the poppy and learn about those who served. Using materials like red and green buttons, cubes, and pom-poms, young learners can create their own poppy designs while exploring textures, patterns, and colours. This hands-on invitation connects children to important traditions in a meaningful, age-appropriate way.

Loose parts play like this encourages creativity, fine motor development, and sensory exploration, allowing children to engage deeply with the theme. Plus, pairing it with the book A Poppy Is to Remember offers a gentle introduction to history and remembrance.

Why is this activity beneficial?

Symbolic Learning: Introduces young ones to the meaning of Remembrance Day and the importance of symbols like the poppy.

Fine Motor Skills: Picking up small items supports hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Open-Ended Play: Fosters creativity and storytelling as children arrange and explore the materials in their own way.

Extend the learning:

-Invite children to share what the poppy means to them or ask them to describe the patterns they’ve created.

-Use the tray as an opportunity for literacy by drawing or writing stories about Remembrance Day.

-Explore colours and patterns to deepen their sensory play experience.

This meaningful play tray is perfect for bringing history to life in a hands-on, child-friendly way.

Negative Space Remembrance Day Art

Can you create the field with poppies? In Flanders Fields the poem by John McCrae tells of a field full of poppies blowing between the crosses row in row which was the inspiration of this process art.

We wear poppies as a visual pledge to never forget those who served and sacrificed for peace.

To create your own version of the art take a piece of cardstock and place loose parts to form an image of poppies, crosses, clouds, and the rest of your Flanders Field. Then take liquid watercolour in a spray bottle and gently spray over the loose parts and allow it to dry. Once dry remove the loose parts to see the design left in the negative space!

Loose Part Poppy

Can you create a poppy using the loose parts? This activity is a fun and easy way to introduce the significance of poppies for Remembrance Day to children.

In sorting trays place different loose parts that are black, red and green in the compartments. Then read a book related to Remembrance Day or read the poem In Flanders Field and talk about the significance of poppies and wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day!

Invite children to create their own poppies with the loose parts provided!

Encouraging Reflection and Gratitude

Helping children develop a sense of gratitude can be a valuable part of Remembrance Day. Talk to them about why we are thankful for the peace we enjoy and how they can express kindness and care in their own lives. By focusing on themes of thankfulness and peace, we can teach children that even small actions, like showing kindness to friends or helping others, contribute to a peaceful world.

Remembrance Day is a meaningful occasion that provides an opportunity for children to learn important life lessons. By focusing on age-appropriate conversations and play-based activities, parents and educators can introduce children to themes of remembrance, respect, and gratitude. Engaging children in simple, thoughtful activities allows them to express appreciation and understand the importance of peace in a way that resonates with them.

Incorporating play-based learning into the observance of Remembrance Day helps children connect emotionally with its meaning, fostering empathy and a sense of community. This November 11th, let’s take time to honour the day with activities and conversations that guide our children toward a deeper understanding of gratitude, compassion, and the value of peace.

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