Hello, friends! With the crisp November air comes a special time to reflect on the heroes who have served our nation. For me, the best way to teach my children about gratitude is by turning our appreciation into action. 🇺🇸
Making something beautiful with our own hands is a wonderful way to honor our veterans. It’s about creating memories together while also creating a home that proudly says, “We remember and we are thankful.” ❤️
In this post, I’ve gathered 10 of my favorite “Mom & Me” Veterans Day decoration ideas. Each one is designed for you and your little ones to work on together, turning craft time into meaningful quality time. ⭐
Our Top 3 Favorite Ideas
- Best for Beginners/Kids: Painted Rock Garden Markers
- Most Unique: Clay Pot Soldier Tribute
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Collaborative “Thank You, Veterans” Banner
Indoor Decorations for Our Home
Collaborative “Thank You, Veterans” Banner 🇺🇸
I just adore this project because it becomes a cherished family keepsake you can bring out every single November. My son and I loved working on this together; I handled the assembly, and he had a blast painting the stars. It’s a true team effort that looks stunning hanging over the fireplace.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~45 mins
Best For: Creating a heartfelt and reusable family heirloom.
Key Materials: Burlap or canvas pennants, red and blue craft paint, letter stencils, twine or ribbon.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a pre-made blank burlap banner kit saves so much time on cutting and lets you and your kids jump right into the fun decorating part.
Image-1: A close-up shot of a child’s hand painting a blue star on a burlap pennant, with mom’s hands helping to hold the stencil in place.
Patriotic Mason Jar Votives 🇺🇸
There is something so magical about the soft glow of these little votives at dusk. They are perfectly safe for little ones to enjoy since we use flameless candles, and they add such a warm, respectful ambiance to any room. It’s a simple project that makes a big impact.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~30 mins + drying time
Best For: A cozy and safe evening decoration.
Key Materials: Mason jars (various sizes), red, white, and blue acrylic paint or tissue paper, Mod Podge (if using tissue paper), LED tea light candles.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I suggest buying a bulk pack of various-sized Mason Jars so you can create a beautiful cluster of votives with different heights and shapes.
Image-2: A cozy evening shot of three finished mason jars glowing on a windowsill, with a blurry background showing a family together.
Red, White & Blue Coffee Filter Poppies 🇺🇸
This craft is not only beautiful but also a fantastic opportunity to talk with your children about why the poppy is a symbol of remembrance. The “magic” of watching the marker colors blend with water is a huge hit with kids, and the finished bouquet is so delicate and lovely.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~25 mins
Best For: A teachable moment and a delicate indoor bouquet.
Key Materials: White basket-style coffee filters, red washable markers, green pipe cleaners (for stems), small spray bottle with water.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A value pack of green pipe cleaners is essential for this, as they create sturdy stems that are easy for little hands to bend and arrange.
Image-3: A child’s hands gently arranging the finished coffee filter poppies into a small vase.
Star-Spangled Window Clings 🇺🇸
Let me tell you, kids get such a thrill from seeing their own artwork displayed right on the windows for all to see! These are so much fun to make, and the squishy texture of the puffy paint is irresistible. When the sun shines through them, it’s pure magic.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~20 mins + drying time
Best For: Brightening up your windows with kid-made art.
Key Materials: Red, white, and blue puffy paint, wax paper, star-shaped templates (optional).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I always reach for a multi-color set of Tulip brand Puffy Paint because the colors are so vibrant and the applicator tips are easy for kids to control.
Image-4: A smiling child pressing a freshly-made blue star cling onto a sunny kitchen window.
“Home of the Brave” Scrabble Tile Art 🇺🇸
Here’s a wonderful project for moms and older kids to tackle together. It’s a great way to use up old game pieces and create a stylish piece of décor that you’ll be proud to display. It feels like solving a fun puzzle and making a beautiful craft all at once.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~30 mins
Best For: A stylish craft project for older kids and moms.
Key Materials: Scrabble tiles, small shadow box or picture frame, patriotic scrapbook paper, hot glue gun (adult use only).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: To make sure you have all the letters you need, I recommend getting a bulk bag of craft-grade Scrabble tiles online.
Image-5: An overhead shot of mom and a child’s hands arranging Scrabble tiles on a piece of scrapbook paper before gluing.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the ideas we’ve covered so far, which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Outdoor & Front Porch Displays
Painted Rock Garden Markers 🇺🇸
This craft combines a nature walk with a heartfelt tribute—what could be better? My kids and I love searching for the perfect smooth, flat rocks to paint. It’s a wonderful way to get outside and create a beautiful display that your neighbors and mail carrier can enjoy, too.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~40 mins + drying time
Best For: An easy outdoor project that honors veterans in your community.
Key Materials: Smooth, flat rocks, acrylic craft paint, paintbrushes, clear sealant spray (for weatherproofing).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: For adding little details like stars or names, a set of multi-surface acrylic paint pens gives you much better control than a traditional brush.
Image-6: A collection of 4-5 brightly painted patriotic rocks nestled among the flowers in a garden bed.
Patriotic Ribbon Windsock 🇺🇸
Watching the colorful ribbons of this windsock dance in the autumn breeze is just so mesmerizing! This is a fantastic project for developing fine motor skills, as kids can help tie all the ribbons onto the hoop. It adds instant patriotic cheer to your front yard.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~35 mins
Best For: Adding festive, patriotic movement to your yard.
Key Materials: Large embroidery hoop or metal ring, spools of red, white, and blue ribbon in various textures, string or fishing line for hanging.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A variety pack of patriotic satin ribbons is perfect for this, giving your windsock a wonderful mix of textures and shades of red, white, and blue.
Image-7: A mom lifting her child up to hang the finished, flowing windsock on a tree branch in the front yard.
Clay Pot Soldier Tribute 🇺🇸
This is such a unique and creative project that will definitely make your front porch stand out with pride! My family had so much fun painting the different parts of the soldier’s uniform on each pot. It’s a whimsical and charming way to show your support.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~1 hour + drying time
Best For: A unique and charming front porch statement piece.
Key Materials: 3-4 terracotta pots of decreasing sizes, red, white, blue, and black craft paint, small American flag on a stick.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Look for a set of 4 nested terracotta clay pots at your local garden center; they are perfectly sized to stack for this project.
Image-8: The finished clay pot soldier sitting proudly next to a front door, with a child standing beside it smiling.
DIY Patriotic Door Hanger 🇺🇸
I love a rustic door hanger, and this is a wonderful alternative to a traditional wreath. It’s so easy to customize this project—you can add your family name, the year, or a simple message of thanks. It creates such a warm and patriotic welcome for anyone who comes to your door.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~40 mins
Best For: A rustic and welcoming front door decoration.
Key Materials: Round wood slice or unfinished wood shape, craft paint, burlap ribbon for a bow, hot glue gun (adult use only).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A 12-inch round wood craft slice is the perfect canvas for this project, providing a beautiful, natural base for your patriotic design.
Image-9: A shot of the finished door hanger on a front door, taken from a slight angle to show its texture.
Front Walkway Flag Line 🇺🇸
Sometimes, the most powerful statements are also the simplest ones. Creating a path of honor along your walkway is a beautiful and respectful tradition to start with your family. It’s a quick activity, but seeing the flags all lined up is a truly moving sight.
Details: Difficulty: Very Easy | Time: ~15 mins
Best For: A classic, simple, and impactful outdoor tribute.
Key Materials: Small American stick flags (lawn flags).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A 10-pack of small American lawn flags is usually just right for lining a standard front walkway, creating a powerful visual impact.
Image-10: A low-angle shot looking down a walkway lined with small American flags, with a child’s sneakers visible as they place the next one.
Crafting Success with Kids
- Tip 1: Prep is Everything. Before inviting the kids over, cover your table with newspaper or a plastic cloth and portion out supplies like paint into small, manageable cups.
- Tip 2: Assign Age-Appropriate Jobs. Give your toddler the fun job of finger-painting stripes, while your older child can handle tracing stencils. This ensures everyone feels involved and successful.
- Tip 3: Embrace Imperfection. The goal is bonding, not perfection! A slightly crooked star or a smudged handprint is part of the memory you’re creating together.
- Tip 4: Talk While You Craft. Use this time to explain in simple terms what Veterans Day is about—thanking the brave people who have helped keep our country safe.
Why Red, White, and Blue?
When you and your little one are crafting with our nation’s colors, you can share what they stand for! The red in our flag symbolizes hardiness and valor (being brave). The white stands for purity and innocence, and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Together, they create a beautiful symbol of our country’s values.
I hope these ideas inspire you to gather your family and create something special this Veterans Day. These projects are more than just decorations; they are small acts of gratitude, created with love and care. They are a way to fill our homes with honor and our hearts with thankfulness for our nation’s heroes.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Which project will you and your little ones try first? Share your plans in the comments below
