Hello, my wonderful friends! On Veterans Day, we take a moment to pause and say “thank you” to the brave men and women who have served our country. It’s a day filled with gratitude and pride. 🇺🇸
I’ve always believed that the best way to teach our children about this gratitude is by turning our feelings into action. Crafting together is a beautiful way to open up that conversation and create something meaningful as a family. ❤️
That’s why I’ve gathered my favorite patriotic keepsake crafts. These aren’t just one-day projects; they are precious memories you can hold onto for years to come, honoring our heroes in a way that truly lasts. ⭐
Our Top 3 Favorite Ideas
- Best for Beginners/Kids: “My Hero” Footprint Soldier Art
- Most Unique: DIY “Then & Now” Veteran Photo Frame
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: “Land of the Free Because of My Hand” Wreath
Handprint & Footprint Treasures
Handprint Flag Keepsake Plaque 🇺🇸
This is such a timeless classic, and for good reason! It transforms a simple handprint into a beautiful piece of art for your wall. I love this one because you can write your child’s name and the year on the back to always remember how tiny their hands once were.
Details: Easy | ~45 mins (plus drying time)
Best For: Creating a piece of wall art to display year after year.
Key Materials: Small wooden plaque or canvas, red, white, and blue acrylic paint, clear sealant spray.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a multi-pack of small wooden craft plaques gives you a sturdy, lasting surface that really elevates this from a craft to a true keepsake.
Image-1: A close-up shot of a child’s blue handprint on the corner of a painted flag plaque, with tiny white fingerprint “stars.”
“My Hero” Footprint Soldier Art 🇺🇸
What a sweet and clever way to honor a service member! With just a bit of paint and a marker, your child’s little footprint becomes a saluting soldier. It’s such a simple visual, and I’ve found it’s a wonderful way to explain the concept of a “hero” to little ones.
Details: Easy | ~20 mins
Best For: A sweet, personal piece of art for a veteran’s desk or wall.
Key Materials: Tan or green, and black non-toxic paint, white cardstock or canvas, fine-tip black marker.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A set of non-toxic ink pads makes getting that perfect footprint so easy and mess-free, especially with wiggly little feet!
Image-2: A child’s green footprint stamped vertically on a white canvas, with a helmet and saluting arm drawn on with a black marker.
Patriotic Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments 🇺🇸
There is something so special about salt dough crafts—they feel so permanent and full of love. These little handprint ornaments are perfect for hanging on a tree or displaying on a shelf. My son and I made these for his grandpa one year, and they are still his most treasured gift!
Details: Medium | ~2 hours (includes baking)
Best For: Making heartfelt, handmade gifts for family members.
Key Materials: Flour, salt, and water (for dough), acrylic paint and ribbon, Mod Podge or clear sealant.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I always seal our salt dough projects with a coat of Gloss Mod Podge; it gives them a beautiful, professional-looking shine and protects the paint for years.
Image-3: A collection of three finished salt dough ornaments hanging from a branch by a red ribbon, each with a child’s handprint painted on it.
“Land of the Free Because of My Hand” Wreath 🇺🇸
This is a powerful project that shows how many small hands working together can create something beautiful. Each little handprint cutout represents a personal “thank you.” It’s a perfect project for siblings to work on together, combining all their handprints into one amazing keepsake for your front door.
Details: Easy | ~30 mins
Best For: A collaborative family project to display on your front door.
Key Materials: Red, white, and blue cardstock, paper plate (for the base), glue or a stapler.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Starting with a value pack of red, white, and blue cardstock ensures you have plenty of paper for all those little hands and that the colors are bright and patriotic.
Image-4: A finished wreath made of layered red, white, and blue handprint cutouts, with a star in the middle that says “Thank You, Veterans.”
💬 Quick Question!
Of the ideas we’ve covered so far, which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Memory Jars & Photo Projects
Veterans Day Gratitude Jar 🇺🇸
This is less of a craft and more of a beautiful family tradition in the making. Decorate a simple jar and have everyone in the family write down something they are thankful for, especially the freedoms our veterans protect. You can read the notes together every November 11th, adding new ones each year.
Details: Easy | ~25 mins
Best For: Starting a meaningful family tradition to revisit each year.
Key Materials: Glass mason jar, strips of red, white, and blue paper, twine or ribbon.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I love using classic 16 oz. Ball mason jars for this project because they are sturdy, charming, and the perfect size to hold a year’s worth of gratitude.
Image-5: A beautifully decorated mason jar filled with colorful, rolled-up paper scrolls, with a tag that reads “Our Gratitude Jar.”
DIY “Then & Now” Veteran Photo Frame 🇺🇸
I have to admit, this is my favorite keepsake on the list. It creates such a powerful, visible connection between generations. Decorating a frame to hold a photo of a veteran from your family next to a photo of your child is a true family heirloom in the making. It brings tears to my eyes every time I see one.
Details: Easy | ~30 mins
Best For: Creating a powerful, multi-generational family heirloom.
Key Materials: Plain wooden picture frame, paint and patriotic stickers (stars, flags), two cherished photos.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: An unfinished wood double-hinged picture frame is the perfect canvas for this project, giving you a ready-made “then & now” layout to decorate.
Image-6: A side-by-side wooden frame, painted blue with white stars, holding a black-and-white photo of a grandfather in uniform next to a current school photo of his grandchild.
“Our Family Salutes You” Time Capsule 🇺🇸
What a fun way to capture this moment in time! This is a fantastic project for teaching kids about preserving memories and showing honor over time. Let your child fill a decorated box with drawings, letters, and little items that show their appreciation for a veteran you know.
Details: Easy | ~40 mins
Best For: Teaching children about history and preserving memories for the future.
Key Materials: Coffee can or small craft box, paper, crayons, and markers, stickers and glue.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A set of plain papier-mâché craft boxes is wonderful for this because they are easy for kids to paint and decorate, and they seal up nicely to protect the treasures inside.
Image-7: A child placing a hand-drawn picture of a soldier into a colorfully decorated coffee can labeled “Veterans Day Time Capsule 2023.”
Personalized Photo Dog Tags 🇺🇸
Kids feel so proud when they can wear or display something they’ve made that directly honors their hero. These personalized dog tags are such a cool project! One tag can have a photo of a family veteran, and the other can have a special message from your child.
Details: Medium | ~35 mins
Best For: A wearable craft that kids can proudly show off.
Key Materials: Shrinky Dink paper (printable or regular), ball chain necklace, hole punch.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A starter kit of Shrinky Dinks sheets is the secret ingredient here; it’s magical for kids to watch their creations shrink down into sturdy, permanent charms.
Image-8: A close-up of two completed dog tags on a chain: one with a small, embedded photo and the other with “My Hero” stamped on it.
Quick Tips for Creating Lasting Keepsakes
- Tip 1: Seal Your Work. For projects using paint or salt dough, a quick spray with a clear acrylic sealant will protect them from moisture and fading, turning a craft into a true keepsake.
- Tip 2: Date Everything. Use a fine-tip permanent marker to write your child’s name and the year on the back of every project. This small step adds immense sentimental value down the road.
- Tip 3: Use Acid-Free Materials. When working with precious family photos, use acid-free glue and paper to prevent the photos from yellowing or deteriorating over time.
- Tip 4: Talk About the “Why.” As you craft, talk with your child about the veteran you are honoring. Sharing stories is what gives the keepsake its heart and meaning.
The Story Behind the Colors: Symbolism Explained
As you craft with red, white, and blue, it’s a great moment to share the story behind the colors. The red symbolizes hardiness and valor, the white represents purity and innocence, and the blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The stars represent our 50 states, and the 13 stripes honor the original thirteen colonies.
Crafting these projects is about more than just paint and glue; it’s about making memories while honoring the heroes who have given us so much. Each handprint, photo, and note of gratitude becomes a small monument of thanks that your family can cherish forever.
I hope these ideas inspire you to create something truly special this Veterans Day.
Which of these keepsakes will you and your family create to honor a hero this year? Please share your plans in the comments below
