This Veterans Day, let’s gather our families to create something truly special. It’s a day for remembrance, for gratitude, and for honoring the brave men and women who have served our country. 🇺🇸
Making decorations together is one of my favorite ways to turn that feeling of appreciation into a hands-on lesson for our children. It’s about more than just red, white, and blue; it’s about creating memories while honoring our heroes. ❤️
In this list, you’ll find simple, heartfelt, and budget-friendly ideas that you and your kids can make together for your table or mantel. Let’s get our crafting supplies ready and make this a day to remember! ⭐
Our Top 3 Favorite Ideas
- Best for Beginners/Kids: Patriotic Handprint Candle Holder
- Most Unique: DIY Poppy Field Table Runner
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: American Flag Fruit & Flower Vase
Heartfelt Table Centerpieces
“Thank You” Veteran Mason Jar Bouquet 🇺🇸
I absolutely love this project because it combines a fun painting craft with a powerful lesson on gratitude. My son and I once made these, and he was so proud to write “thank you” on each little paper flower tag. It’s a centerpiece that truly speaks from the heart.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~45 mins
Best For: A meaningful craft that teaches kids about gratitude.
Key Materials: Mason jars, acrylic paint, construction paper, popsicle sticks.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I find that using a multi-pack of quart-sized mason jars is perfect for this project, giving you a beautiful, uniform set to paint and display.
Image-1: A close-up shot of the three finished jars, with a child’s hand placing a final paper flower inside.
Patriotic Handprint Candle Holder 🇺🇸
This is such a sweet and personal keepsake that you can bring out year after year. It’s a wonderful way to see how your little ones’ hands have grown, and it creates a beautiful, warm glow on the table that feels so respectful and serene.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~20 mins (plus drying)
Best For: Creating a sentimental keepsake to use every year.
Key Materials: Glass cylinder vase, red/blue craft paint, flameless LED candle.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: For safety and peace of mind, especially with kids around, I always recommend a set of battery-operated flameless pillar candles. They give you that cozy flicker without any worry.
Image-2: The glowing candle holder on a mantel at dusk, with the small handprints clearly visible.
DIY Poppy Field Table Runner 🇺🇸
This project is such a beautiful way to teach children about the symbolism of the poppy in honoring our veterans. As you craft each little flower, you can share the story of remembrance, creating a decoration that is not only lovely but also rich with meaning.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~60 mins
Best For: A stunning centerpiece that incorporates a lesson on military history and symbolism.
Key Materials: Red cupcake liners or coffee filters, green pipe cleaners, burlap runner.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A roll of wide burlap ribbon is the perfect base for this project, giving you that rustic, heartfelt feel for your poppy field.
Image-3: An overhead shot of the finished runner stretching down the center of a wooden dining table.
American Flag Fruit & Flower Vase 🇺🇸
This is my go-to centerpiece when I need something elegant that still feels patriotic and fresh. It comes together in minutes but looks so impressive! It’s a wonderful way to bring natural beauty to your table while honoring the red, white, and blue.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~15 mins
Best For: A quick and elegant last-minute centerpiece.
Key Materials: Clear glass vase, blueberries, cranberries, white carnations.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: Using a simple, tall clear glass cylinder vase makes all the difference, as it showcases those beautiful, crisp layers perfectly.
Image-4: A bright, vibrant photo of the layered vase on a white tablecloth, with light shining through it.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the ideas we’ve covered so far, which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
Kid-Crafted Place Settings & Accents
Woven Paper Star Placemats 🇺🇸
This classic weaving craft is absolutely fantastic for developing fine motor skills and keeping little hands happily busy before your family meal. The finished placemats add such a personal, handmade touch to each person’s spot at the table.
Details: Difficulty: Medium | Time: ~30 mins per placemat
Best For: A fun activity that doubles as a personalized table setting.
Key Materials: Red, white, and blue construction paper, scissors, glue stick.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: To make sure you have all the colors you need, I suggest starting with a multi-color pack of construction paper. It has everything you need to get weaving!
Image-5: A finished placemat on a table, with a simple white plate and silverware placed on top.
“Home of the Brave” Napkin Rings 🇺🇸
This craft is the perfect example of how you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make a big impact. It’s a wonderful project for using recycled materials, and the little handwritten tag adds such a proud and personal touch to your table.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~15 mins
Best For: A budget-friendly and eco-friendly craft for all ages.
Key Materials: Cardboard tubes (toilet paper/paper towel), blue paper, white star stickers, twine.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A sheet of assorted-size white star stickers makes decorating these napkin rings quick, easy, and mess-free for even the youngest crafters.
Image-6: A close-up of a rolled-up white napkin held by the finished DIY ring on a plate.
Beaded Pipe Cleaner Flag Standees 🇺🇸
These little flags are so charming and versatile! My kids love making them to line up on our fireplace mantel. You can also use them as place card holders or just scatter them down the center of the table for a festive touch.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~20 mins
Best For: A simple craft for toddlers and young children to practice colors and patterns.
Key Materials: Red, white, and blue pony beads; blue and white pipe cleaners.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: I recommend getting a bulk craft kit of pony beads and pipe cleaners so you have more than enough supplies to make a whole parade of these cute little flags.
Image-7: A few of the finished mini flags standing on a fireplace mantel next to a family photo.
Gratitude Chain Garland 🇺🇸
This is so much more than just a decoration; it’s a physical representation of your family’s gratitude. Reading all the thoughtful messages and names as you drape it across the mantel is a truly moving experience. It’s a new tradition we started a few years ago, and I cherish it.
Details: Difficulty: Easy | Time: ~30 mins
Best For: Creating a meaningful decoration that focuses on the spirit of thankfulness.
Key Materials: Red, white, and blue construction paper, markers, tape or a stapler.
⭐ Nancy’s Recommended Tool: A paper trimmer is a huge help for this project, allowing you to make perfectly straight, even strips of paper quickly and easily.
Image-8: The finished paper chain draped across the front of a fireplace mantel.
Quick Tips for Crafting with Kids
- Prep Your Craft Station. Before you call the kids over, it helps to cut the paper strips, count out the beads, and pour the paint. This makes the activity feel smooth and fun right from the start!
- Protect Your Surfaces. I always use a disposable tablecloth or old newspaper to cover our table, especially for painting projects. It makes cleanup an absolute breeze.
- Talk About the ‘Why’. While you craft, take the opportunity to talk to your kids in simple terms about what a veteran is and why we say “thank you” for their service on this special day.
- Embrace Imperfection. Remember, the goal is family connection, not a magazine-perfect result. Cherish those crooked stars and smudged handprints—they are precious parts of the memory!
The Meaning Behind the Colors
Did you know the colors of our flag are more than just patriotic? They carry special meaning! Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Using these colors in your decor is a wonderful and quiet tribute to the very values our veterans have worked to protect.
I hope these ideas inspire you and your family to spend some quality time together creating decorations that are filled with love and gratitude. Honoring our nation’s heroes starts right in our own homes, with the lessons we teach and the memories we build with our children.
Which one of these heartfelt projects are you excited to try with your family this Veterans Day? Let me know in the comments below
