Easy Remembrance Day Craft For Preschoolers

Remembrance Day is hard to explain to little ones but I wanted to do something with my kids if only to get them to start recognizing the poppy and eventually understand its significance.  So this morning my toddler and my preschooler set to work on making fingerprint poppy wreaths.

What you need:

-White or light coloured piece of construction paper
-Red finger paint
-Green or black finger paint
-A small plate or something to put the paint on

Ready to paint!

Use your thumb dipped in red paint to make the outside of the poppy. Use your index finger (or adults can use their baby finger) dipped in green paint to make the centre of the poppy.  Black paint works for the centre too.

My daughter's finished art work

My son's finished art work

Two years ago my husband and I visited the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.  I was inspired and haunted by the images we saw and the stories we read but also left feeling incredibly lucky that so many men and women made such sacrifice so that we could live in the fortunate country that Canada is today.

My husband is a history buff and I know when the kids are old enough he will make sure they understand the significance of our country's history and why we always need to honour and remember our soldiers.

Looking for more Remembrance Day crafts?  Hop over to our main momstown arts & crafts website.

Remembrance Day in Oakville

"Mommy, why is everyone wearing a red flower on their coat?"

Remembrance Day is a memorial we should all be talking with our children about especially since they have, luckily, been sheltered from war. I explain to my children that the poppy is a sign of 'thank-you' to all the brave soldiers for looking after us. That explanation seems simple yet deep enough for them to understand the basics.

It is important to recognize this day with our children and what better way to start a discussion than with a craft or storytime? momstown has many ideas on how to bring our the teachable moments


Remembrance Day Crafts:
In Flanders Fields Bingo Dabber Poppies
Preschool Poppy Painting
Paper Poppies


Remembrance Day Books for Kids
A Poppy is to Remember
H is for Honor
Boo Boo Bear's Mission
Pepper's Purple Heart: A Veteran's Day Story
Where Poppies Grow


Looking for a local service or parade to attend on November 11th?

Oakville Remembrance Day Parade
Church and Navy streets / Cenotaph at George's Square
Hosted by Oakville Legion Branch 114

10:15 a.m: Veterans depart from Church and Navy streets and march along Lakeshore and up Trafalgar to the Cenotaph at George's Square.

11 a.m: Ceremony at George's Square includes two minutes of silence and a wreath laying ceremony. After the ceremony, veterans march back to Church and Navy.

Remembrance Day in Milton
The traditional Remembrance Day Milton Service will be held Friday, Nov. 11 at Evergreen Cemetery on Ontario Street. The march will begin at 10:45 a.m.

Remembrance Day Services in Burlington
9:00 a.m. - Sunrise Remembrance Day Service, Spencer Smith Park

Burl-Oak Naval Veterans are holding a 30 minute ceremony at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park at Burlington's Downtown Waterfront. All are welcome to attend.

10:30 a.m. - Remembrance Day Parade begins at Central Public School (Down Brant to Elgin - Elgin to Locust - Locust to Ontario).

11:00 a.m. - Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph, City Hall

The Royal Canadian Legion is holding a 45-60 minute ceremony at the Cenotaph, just outside City Hall (426 Brant St.). All are welcome to attend.

Our momstown Hamilton mama Andrea comes from a military family, her father served and her nephews are currently enlisted. Read here about what Remembrance Day means to her.

Our thanks and full appreciation to all veterans who have served or who are serving Canada on our behalf. Thank-you for your bravery.