For many, Memorial Day weekend is the official kickoff of the summer. As such, the meaning of Memorial Day can get lost in the excitement of pool parties, cookouts, trips to the beach, and more. But, in the middle of all of this hubbub, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country should be remembered, given that that is what Memorial Day is all about. And to get toddlers involved in paying those respects, doing some fun Memorial Day crafts is a great way to do that.
Memorial Day has been a day to remember those who have passed as a result of their active military service. According to History, Memorial Day began in the years after the Civil War to allow family members to pay respects to those who were tragically lost in the war. It was not until 1971 that the day became a federal holiday, which made sure that families could show their pride for those who were no longer with them through official gatherings, parades, and smaller get-togethers with family members, where both the young and old could show their pride via all things red, white, and blue. And for many, this, of course, means decorations to help celebrate the day.
Here are some fun Memorial Day crafts to do with toddlers.
7 Memorial Day Windsock
This Memorial Day windsock from Educriando might be a little heavy to fly in the wind, but a fun craft nonetheless.
To make the windsock, materials needed are paint, toilet paper rolls, construction paper, and either glue or tape.
When choosing a location to make the windsock, make sure that it is either easy to wash up or is covered with a cloth, because the paint is involved. And anyone who has a toddler knows, paint and toddlers mean fun, but it also means things can get a bit messy.
6 Hand & Footprint Flag
Creative Kids Ideas has several adorable crafts for Memorial Day that are appropriate for toddlers to be involved with. One that will make not only an easy craft but one that can be turned into a keepsake, is the hand and footprint flag.
The materials needed for the hand and footprint flag are red and blue paint and construction paper. For those who want to make a keepsake out of the craft, a canvas should be used instead of construction paper.
Once all of the materials are gathered, all the toddler has to do is put his hands and feet in paint and have them strategically placed to create the United States flag.
5 Shooting Star
What toddler does not love a shooting star? This craft from Carly VanTassel is not only fun to make but helps little ones with their motor skills as well.
For those toddlers who have started learning to use a pair of scissors, they will enjoy making the shooting star because there is a bit of easy cutting involved. It also involves weaving paper, which can help little ones with their pincer grasp as well.
To make the Memorial Day shooting star, construction paper, scissors, and glue are the only materials needed.
4 Memorial Day Poppy Flower
A unique craft for toddlers to make is the Memorial Day poppy from Clearview Kindergarten. And while there is a bit of prep that needs to be done by parents beforehand, once that is completed, it is a craft that toddlers can virtually do on their own.
To make the poppy, all that is needed is tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and two different-sized circle stencils.
Parents will need to cut out the circles before the craft can begin. But once that is completed, toddlers can be in charge of the craft. This is because the tissue paper is simply pushed through onto the pipe cleaner and with a little squishing and fluffing, poppy has been created!
3 Memorial Day Lantern
There is no fire involved with this Memorial Day lantern by Diana Woods. But there will be plenty of entertainment had by toddlers when creating it!
The materials needed to craft the lantern are construction paper in red, white, and blue, as well as a glue stick.
If the toddler has begun using scissors and is working on those motor skills, this is a great craft to have him do because strips of paper need to be cut to make the lantern. If not, it is easy prep time for parents.
Once the strips are cut out, the lantern is simply put together with the use of a bit of glue from the glue stick, and, voila! The Memorial Day lantern is complete.
2 Patriotic Handprint Flag
Toddler's hands make so many fun art projects. And a Memorial Day flag is no exception.
To create this patriotic handprint flag from Happy Crafty, a large piece of construction paper and paint are needed.
Toddlers will need help with cutting the handprints out. Once that is completed though, they will have a blast with painting the stripes, and attempting to paint the stars on a flag made not only by but from their own hands.
1 Memorial Day Fireworks
A craft that can be used for not only Memorial Day but for the Fourth of July as well, is creating fireworks. And because this craft from The Artroom By Mariela Jane will bring toddlers lots of merriment, anticipate doing it more than once this Memorial Day weekend!
All that is needed to create fireworks are toilet paper rolls, paint, and construction paper.
Once parents have made the cuts on the toilet paper rolls to create the shape of the fireworks, they can stand back and let the toddlers create their masterpieces. And, much like the hand and footprint flag, this craft can be turned into a keepsake as well, just by switching out the construction paper for a canvas.
Source: YouTube: Carly VanTassel, YouTube: CreativeKids Ideas, YouTube: Educriando, YouTube: Clearview Kindergarten, YouTube: Diana Woods, YouTube: Happy Crafty, YouTube: The Artroom By Mariela Jane, History, Preschool Crafts, All Kids Network, The Shiny Ideas