Hello, friends! With Veterans Day just around the corner, my heart is filled with gratitude for the brave men and women who have served our country. It’s a perfect time to gather our families and create something beautiful to say “thank you.” 🇺🇸
I believe that one of the best ways to teach our children about honor and sacrifice is by making things with our own hands. It turns appreciation into a hands-on activity that they’ll always remember. ❤️
That’s why I’ve gathered my favorite free and easy Veterans Day printable crafts for you. These projects go beyond simple coloring pages—they become meaningful decorations and heartfelt tributes you can proudly display in your home. ⭐
Our Top 3 Favorite Ideas
- Best for Beginners/Kids: American Flag Window Display
- Most Unique: Standing Soldier Silhouettes
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: 3D Paper Poppy Wreath
Wall & Window Décor
1. “Thank You, Veterans” Bunting Banner 🇺🇸
There’s something so classic and cheerful about a bunting banner! My son and I made one for our fireplace mantel, and it instantly made the whole room feel more festive and full of gratitude. I love how this simple project can make such a big, heartfelt statement.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~45 mins
Best For: Creating a beautiful focal point for a mantel or wall.
Key Materials: Printable banner pages, crayons or markers, scissors, hole punch, string/twine.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I find that using a multi-pack of red, white, and blue baker’s twine really completes the look, tying all the patriotic colors together perfectly.
Image-1: A child proudly holding up the finished, colorful banner, with it hanging on a fireplace mantel in the background.
2. 3D Paper Poppy Wreath 🇺🇸
This project is so special and creates a truly stunning piece for your front door. As we colored and assembled the poppies, it opened up a wonderful conversation with my daughter about what the poppy means. It’s a craft that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~1 hour
Best For: A front door decoration that teaches the symbolism of remembrance.
Key Materials: Poppy template printable, red/black/green crayons, scissors, glue stick, a paper plate.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a pack of sturdy white paper plates as the base is the secret to a strong wreath that won’t flop or bend.
Image-2: A close-up shot of the finished poppy wreath hanging on a front door, showing its 3D texture.
3. Patriotic Star Garland 🇺🇸
If you’re looking for a quick and charming craft, this is it! These star garlands look so lovely hanging in a window, catching the light. We added a little sparkle to ours, and the kids had a blast making them twinkle.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~30 mins
Best For: A quick weeknight craft that adds a touch of patriotic sparkle to any window.
Key Materials: Star template printable, markers, scissors, clear tape or sewing machine, ribbon.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A pack of red, white, and blue glitter glue pens is perfect for adding that extra pop of sparkle to the center of each star.
Image-3: Several finished star garlands hanging vertically in a sunny window, creating a colorful display.
4. “Home of the Brave” Art Print 🇺🇸
Sometimes, the simplest words have the most power. This printable is a wonderful way for kids to create a piece of art that you can frame and display year after year. It’s a quiet, thoughtful activity that results in a beautiful reminder of what this day is all about.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~25 mins
Best For: Creating a frame-worthy piece of décor for a bookshelf or end table.
Key Materials: Art print printable, colored pencils or fine-tip markers, a photo frame.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I recommend getting a set of basic 8×10 picture frames so you can easily display your child’s finished masterpiece right away.
Image-4: The finished, colored printable shown inside a simple black or white 8×10 frame, sitting on a bookshelf next to a small American flag.
5. American Flag Window Display 🇺🇸
This craft has a little touch of magic that kids absolutely love! When you brush the oil on the back, their eyes will light up as the paper becomes translucent. It’s a fantastic and simple way to fill your home with patriotic color.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~20 mins
Best For: A fun and almost magical activity for young children.
Key Materials: Flag printable, crayons, vegetable oil, paper towel, tape.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: For this project to work its magic, you’ll want to use a classic box of Crayola crayons, as the wax in them helps the colors stay bold against the oil.
Image-5: The finished flag taped to a window with sunlight streaming through, highlighting the “stained glass” effect.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the ideas we’ve covered so far, which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Cards & Tabletop Tributes
6. Foldable “Thank You for Your Service” Cards 🇺🇸
A handmade card is one of the most personal ways to show gratitude. These printables make it easy for even the littlest hands to create a heartfelt note. We love making a whole batch of these to share with veterans in our community.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~15 mins
Best For: A personal and meaningful way to thank a veteran you know.
Key Materials: Card template printable, crayons or markers, scissors.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: To make your cards look extra professional for mailing, a pack of A2-sized envelopes is the perfect fit.
Image-6: A child’s hands shown writing a message inside the finished, colored card.
7. Standing Soldier Silhouettes 🇺🇸
This craft creates such a powerful and respectful display for a mantel or centerpiece. The simple, standing silhouettes serve as a quiet, strong reminder of the service members we are honoring. It’s a project that feels very dignified and important.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~25 mins
Best For: A solemn and powerful tribute for a mantelpiece display.
Key Materials: Soldier silhouette printable, scissors, crayons (optional).
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: The key to making these figures stand tall and proud is printing them on a ream of 110 lb white cardstock paper.
Image-7: Three finished soldier silhouettes standing on a white mantelpiece, interspersed with small American flags.
8. Patriotic Pinwheel Centerpieces 🇺🇸
Who doesn’t love a pinwheel? They are so cheerful and fun! These printable pinwheels come together quickly and can be grouped in a mason jar to create a whimsical centerpiece for your Veterans Day meal. The kids will have a hard time not playing with them!
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~20 mins per pinwheel
Best For: A fun and interactive centerpiece for your dining table.
Key Materials: Pinwheel template printable, scissors, paper fastener or glue, paper straw or dowel.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a pack of colorful paper straws as the handles makes these pinwheels extra bright and fun for the kids.
Image-8: A mason jar filled with 3-4 finished patriotic pinwheels, sitting in the middle of a dining table.
9. Printable “Hero” Medals 🇺🇸
This is such a sweet and personal gift for a child to give. Watching a little one present a medal they colored themselves to a veteran is a truly touching moment. It’s a wonderful way for them to say “you are my hero” directly.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~15 mins
Best For: A wonderful activity for classrooms or groups to make for visiting veterans.
Key Materials: Medal printable, scissors, hole punch, red or blue ribbon.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A spool of patriotic-themed ribbon makes these medals feel official and extra special for the recipient.
Image-9: A smiling child presenting a finished, colorful “Hero” medal to a grandparent or older adult.
10. Veterans Day Activity Placemat 🇺🇸
I love a craft that can pull double duty! This printable placemat is not only a fun decoration for the table but also a great way to keep little ones engaged during your family meal. It’s a perfect way to keep the theme of the day present in a fun, interactive way.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~5-20 mins (activity time)
Best For: Keeping kids entertained and thoughtful during a family meal.
Key Materials: Placemat printable, crayons or colored pencils.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I highly recommend investing in a personal at-home laminator machine—you can save your child’s colored placemat and use it as a special decoration every year!
Image-10: An overhead shot of a table setting with the activity placemat, a plate, and a cup, with a few crayons scattered on it.
11. “Lest We Forget” Poppy Place Cards 🇺🇸
These simple place cards add a touch of grace and remembrance to your dinner table. You can write guests’ names on them, or even the names of family members who have served, as a way to honor them during your meal. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~10 mins
Best For: Setting a tone of remembrance at your Veterans Day meal.
Key Materials: Place card printable, scissors, red marker or crayon, pen.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a set of fine-point black Sharpie pens ensures the names you write are crisp, clear, and easy to read.
Image-11: A close-up of a finished poppy place card on a set dinner table, with the name of a family member written on it.
Quick Tips for Crafting with Kids
- Tip 1: Print on Cardstock. For any project that needs to stand up or hang (like banners, medals, and silhouettes), use a heavier paper like cardstock. It makes a huge difference!
- Tip 2: Prep Your Station. Before calling the kids over, print everything out and gather all your supplies (scissors, crayons, glue, ribbon) in one spot. A little prep saves a lot of chaos.
- Tip 3: Let Go of Perfection. The goal is to create and learn together. Let your kids choose the colors and do the cutting, even if it’s not perfect. The love they put into it is what makes it special.
- Tip 4: Talk While You Create. Use this crafting time as an opportunity to talk about what Veterans Day means. Ask your kids what they think a “hero” is and share stories of family members who may have served.
A Special Note: The Symbolism of the Poppy
You’ll often see red poppies used to honor veterans. This tradition comes from the poem “In Flanders Fields,” which described bright red poppies growing on the battlefields of World War I. Today, the poppy is a beautiful symbol of remembrance and hope, honoring the sacrifice of service members.
I hope these ideas inspire you and your family to spend some quality time together creating beautiful tributes for our nation’s heroes. Making something with our hands is a powerful way to express the gratitude that fills our hearts on this important day. It’s about remembering, honoring, and teaching the next generation what it means to be brave.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Which of these printable crafts are you most excited to try with your family? Let me know in the comments below
