Every May, millions of Americans commemorate and honor the military heroes who have fallen. If you or someone you love is a veteran, Memorial Day likely holds a very special place in your heart. It is a day that the entire nation can gather together and appreciate those military service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. While everyone honors Memorial Day a little differently, it is a common activity to create crafts celebrating the nation and its fallen heroes.
But what are some good craft ideas for Memorial Day? Are there any good preschool crafts for Memorial Day? What are some easy crafts for adults and seniors? Finally, where can you get high-quality cardstock to help you honor and commemorate military veterans?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the best Memorial Day craft ideas for all ages:
Memorial Day Crafts For Preschoolers
Memorial Day can be a difficult topic to discuss with young children, especially if they’re still learning basic linguistic concepts. This is why working with different shapes and colors can make it easier to teach preschoolers about Memorial Day. Fortunately, there are several preschool Memorial Day crafts that can help young kids understand the significance of the day in a kid-friendly way:
- Patriotic Pinwheels – Cut out squares of red, white, and blue cardstock, and have the children decorate them with markers or stickers. Then, help them fold each square into a pinwheel and attach the pinwheels to dowels or straws.
- Handprint American Flag – This is a classic and easy craft for young kids at home or in the classroom. Simply paint the child’s hand with blue paint and have them stamp it onto a piece of white paper or cardstock. Then, use their fingertips to create the stars on the blue handprint. On a separate piece of paper, have them paint red stripes with their fingers, and then cut them out and glue them onto the white handprint.
- Thank You Cards – Have the children create simple thank you cards for veterans or active military members. Provide them with red, white, and blue paper, stickers, markers, and other craft supplies to decorate their cards. If your preschoolers cannot write many words yet, create prewritten thank you cards and let them write their names on each one.
- American Flag Collage – Provide the children with a piece of blue cardstock paper and red and white paper cut into small squares. Have them glue the squares onto the blue paper to create an American flag collage.
Memorial Day Crafts For Kids
As preschoolers get a little older, their language and critical thinking skills advance dramatically. This makes it easier for them to understand more complex concepts and take part in activities that require greater hand-eye coordination. Since Memorial Day is an opportunity to teach children of all ages about the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the American military, it only makes sense to incorporate some age-appropriate Memorial Day arts and crafts. Here are just a few fun and educational ideas to get you started:
- Poppy Craft – The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in war. To make a memorial poppy, have kids cut out red tissue paper circles and black cardstock for the center of the poppy. Glue the black circle onto the red tissue paper and attach a green pipe cleaner stem. These can be displayed as decorations or worn as symbols of remembrance.
- Patriotic Windsock – Cut out strips of colored paper and glue them onto a piece of cardstock or a paper plate. Then, attach ribbons or streamers to the bottom for a festive touch.
- Thank You Cards – Once children are old enough to have a stronger vocabulary, it gives them the ability to write entire thank you cards on their own. Simply provide the kids with cardstock, markers, and written prompts to help get them started.
Memorial Day Crafts For Teens
It’s not always easy to get teens involved in arts and crafts. But just as it is important for younger children to understand Memorial Day, it is also important for teenagers to take time to reflect on the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the United States military. So, here are some Memorial Day crafts that teens are more likely to find engaging:
- Memorial Day Collage – Use magazine clippings, photos, and other items to create a collage that honors those who have served in the military. Consider displaying it in a prominent location in the home or classroom.
- American Flag Art – Paint a piece of cardstock in the shape of the American flag and add a quote or message that honors those who have served in the military. Teens can also use their own ideas to make each piece of cardstock unique to them.
- Thank You Cards – As you can see, thank you cards are a great idea on Memorial Day, regardless of your age. Teens can create personalized thank you cards using creative designs and words to express their gratitude and appreciation.
Memorial Day Crafts For Adults
As an adult, you probably want to find ways to honor fallen veterans, too. In addition to spending time with veterans or attending events to honor them, you can partake in craft-making. Here are a few ideas for DIY Memorial Day crafts:
- Memorial Day Photo Display – Create a display of photos of loved ones who have served in the military. Add flags, poppies, or other patriotic symbols to make these photos even more special.
- Memorial Day Shadow Box – Create a cardstock shadow box filled with military memorabilia, including medals, flags, and other symbols of service. Display it as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those close to you and your family.
- Thank You Cards – Again, there are few things that veterans can appreciate more than a heartfelt card. Create personalized thank you cards for military veterans you know, and even those that you’ve never met.
Memorial Day Crafts For Seniors
Seniors are more likely to know at least one fallen veteran than any other demographic. This can make Memorial Day especially poignant for older adults. If you’re looking for ways to help an older parent or grandparent show their respect on Memorial Day, here are a few additional crafting ideas:
- Patriotic Wreath – Cut out stars from white cardstock paper and attach them to a paper wreath using glue. Then, add red and blue ribbons or tissue paper to make the wreath more festive and patriotic.
- American Flag Quilt – Create a quilt using red, white, and blue fabric in the shape of the American flag. This is a great group activity for seniors in a community setting. If it is a struggle to knit, consider making a large paper or cardstock banner using the same flag design.
- Thank You Cards – Ask a senior in your life to write special thank you cards to the veterans they love. This may be a very emotional task for some seniors, so be prepared to show support and comfort.
Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!