ANZAC Craft Projects for Kids

ANZAC Craft Projects for Kids
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ANZAC Day is a time to pause, remember, and reflect – and it’s also a meaningful opportunity to help children connect with our history in ways they can understand. Even from a young age, kids can start to grasp the importance of remembrance and community through simple, hands-on activities.

If you’re spending the day with little ones, why not get creative together? These ANZAC-themed craft ideas are easy, thoughtful, and a lovely way to mark the occasion while gently teaching younger generations about the stories behind it.

DIY Medals
screen-shot-2017-03-29-at-2-49-17-pmFor a soldier, there’s no higher honour than receiving a wartime medal. So why not create your own DIY medals using metallic paper? Pick up a sheet from your local craft store and cut out as many circles as you can. Punch a hole in each disc and loop through some string. Or even better, use glossy striped ribbon. Adorn the medals in anything you can find – glitter, sequins, stick on jewels, plastic poppies.
Make this project a little more personal by asking your kids to hand out medals to loved ones. For example, dad might receive a medal for his BBQ talents, or grandma might get one for making the most delicious choc chip cookies.

 

Printable poppies
A few years ago, the friendly folks at TinyMe created this beautiful ANZAC Day printable craft pack. All you need to do is sign up and start printing. The paper poppies are lovely, and can be worm as badges, fashioned into a wreath, arranged as a bouquet or used to decorate a freshly baked tray of ANZAC cookies. For something a little easier, making poppies from paper plates is a cute and colourful activity for younger kids.

Write a poem
If you’re looking for a chilled out, mess free project, poetry is a wonderful way to get the kids engaged. Opt for traditional rhyming poems, or try haikus for something a little different. Spend a few moments discussing ANZAC Day with your little ones, then get them to write a poem about how they interpret the holiday, and what it means to them. Even if they see ANZAC Day as a chance to play in the park with their friends or watch a parade, you’re still paving the way to a better appreciation.

Bake ANZAC biscuits
More than just a delicious oat-based cookie, ANZAC biscuits were the snack of choice for trench bound soldiers. Kids love to bake, so why not whip up a batch of ANZAC biscuits and chat about their history as you go? Check out our ANZAC biscuit recipe here.

Soldier silhouette
For a striking piece of ANZAC-inspired art, try creating a silhouette of a soldier set against a painted sunset background. We came across a lovely example of this technique here, and you’ll find a few more creative ideas on the same page. It’s a simple but powerful project that older children in particular may enjoy.

Colouring in
If you’re after a quieter activity – especially one grandparents can enjoy with younger children – printing out this national anthem colouring-in sheet from Glenn Jones Art is a great option. Their website also has a fantastic range of themed activity sheets, perfect for rainy days or relaxed afternoons at home.

Beyond homeland troops landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915, ANZAC Day is a time to remember all the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died at war. Your little ones might not be able to grasp the scope of what the holiday means, but getting crafty is a clever way to capture their imaginations, and help them develop a greater sense of what it is to be a Kiwi. There are so many amazing ideas out there, so if you’re looking for even more inspiration why not head over to Pinterest and check out some of the ANZAC Day craft ideas kicking around?