Celebrate Veterans Day with Your Kids
For this Veterans Day, teach your kids about the sacrifice and commitment of our country’s veterans. Here are a few enriching and educating activities you can do as a family.
Teach Them about Service
Make sure your children know what it means to be a veteran. If there are any veterans in your family, then tell your children how they’ve served our country. Talk to your kids about the five branches of armed services: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Give a History Lesson
Tell your children about the different wars in our country’s history. You don’t have to go into detail — a simple history lesson will suffice. If your child shows an interest in history, then talk about how the holiday originated.
In 1918 on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, an armistice was declared between the allied nations and Germany in World War I. This became Armistice Day, and then, after World War II and the Korean War, was renamed Veterans Day.
Talk to a Veteran
If you know a veteran, then ask them to sit down and talk to you and your family. Ask them what it was like to serve in the armed forces. This will help your child understand the gift of freedom.
Practice the Pledge
Take the time to go over the Pledge of Allegiance with your family. Your kids may already know how to say the pledge, but they may not know the meaning behind the words. For a fun craft, write the Pledge of Allegiance on a poster board in red, white, and blue markers.
Make a Thank You Card
Tap into your creative side by making thank you cards to give to a veteran. Encourage your kids to color a card to give to a veteran you know or drop off to a veteran and military organization. You can draw flags and patriotic patterns on the cards.
Get involved with an organization that supports soldiers who are currently serving. There are several nonprofits that support the troops, including Soldier’s Angels. Your family can donate money or care packages. To make a care package, compile board games, non-perishable snacks, toiletries, and books. Be sure to keep everything in different packages — don’t put the toiletries with the snacks. Add a hand-written letter to make the care package more meaningful.