Make this poppy craft with your kids to honor Memorial Day. This is an opportunity to teach your children more about this important day. Poppies are the traditional symbol for Memorial Day, which when first commemorated was called Decoration Day - a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers. There are two sizes of poppies, one is perfect for wearing and the other for decorations.
Poppies came into the picture in 1915 when Moina Michael wrote her own poem inspired by “In Flanders Fields.” Watch the above story time with your kids to learn her story. She began wearing red poppies and the idea spread - learn more.
"We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies."
Poppy Craft
Supplies needed:
- Poppy template here
- Red felt
- Glue or glue gun
- Small, black pompoms - black beads or knotted yarn will work too
- Safety pin
Note: The template includes two different sized poppies, one is perfect for wearing and the larger for decorating. You can also make poppies our of red paper.
 |
Directions:
- Cut the 3 and 4 petal poppy shapes out of felt, using the template - there are 2 sizes of each on the template.
- Glue the 3 petal on top of the 4 petal poppy shape.
- Glue a small black pompom in the center.
- Let dry.
- Add a safety pin to the back to wear.
 |
To make the ruffled poppy (which is great for wreaths)
1. Cut a large 4-petal shape out of felt, using the template.
2. Put a dab of glue in the center.
2. Crunch the center in your fingers and clip with a clothespin.
3. Let dry.
4. Add a safety pin to the back to wear.
Learn more about Memorial Day
Every year on the last Monday of May we observe Memorial Day, a US federal holiday. This day we remember and honor those who died while serving our country in the U.S. military. Take a moment to honor their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service. Honoring those that served can be as simple as taking some time out of the day to remember the true meaning of this important day and showing respect to those who have given their lives in service to the country.
Teach your children about our county's rich history, the importance of freedom, and the sacrifices that have been made to make the USA what it is today.
Remember that "Freedom is not Free"
