Memorial Day Paper Poppy Craft
I am thrilled to be partnering with USAA, to bring you this paper poppy craft for Memorial Day! A special thank you to USAA for sponsoring this post!
With Memorial Day weekend signifying the unofficial start of summer for many, the true meaning of the holiday often gets overlooked.
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May each year. In the United States, it’s a special day dedicated to giving thanks and honoring the the brave men and women who gave their lives serving to protect our American freedoms.
Memorial Day has always been a special day to me, as it was traditionally celebrated on May 30–my birthday. The origins of Memorial Day date back to the Civil War era (a period of time I particularly enjoyed studying in school) and served to honor Union soldiers. Now, as a military family, we use Memorial Day to honor and remember our fallen friends and comrades.
After World War I, the poppy flower became a symbol of remembrance. Since then, more than 645,000 service men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Each of these heroes is represented by a red poppy flower inside the USAA Poppy Wall of Honor in on the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Making poppy flower crafts with the girls was the perfect way to teach them the importance of Memorial Day while also learning the reason for the flowers.
Fun fact: TODAY (the Friday before Memorial Day) is National Poppy Day!
Poppy Flower Craft
Making your own poppy flowers is super simple and you might even already have all of the supplies necessary!
Poppy Craft for Memorial Day
Poppy flowers are used as a symbol of remembrance for our nation's fallen heroes. This adorable poppy craft is the perfect way to help teach your child about the significance of Memorial Day.
Materials
- Coffee filters (2)
- Red marker
- Red cupcake liner
- Large black button
- Green pipe cleaner
Instructions
- Use the marker to color both coffee filters.
- Crinkle the edges of the coffee filter.
- Place both coffee filters together, and top with inverted cupcake liner.
- Punch small holes in the center of the cupcake liner and coffee filters. Thread the pipe cleaner through the button and liner/coffee filters.
- Twist on the backside to secure the paper flower together.
As the girls and I were crafting, I was hit with nostalgia and inspired to take an extra step when coloring the coffee filters. My cousins and I always used to color coffee filters, and wet them, creating fun effects in the ink.
To add a simple special touch to our projects, we simply colored the coffee filters as stated in the instructions, then hung them using clothes pins, and sprayed them lightly with water. Just enough water to cause the colors to run without the water dripping.
Making these beautiful paper poppy flowers is a great way to start a conversation in your own home about Memorial Day. Then, once the craft is complete, you’ll have a lovely bouquet to honor and remember our brave heroes.
You may also pay tribute to our fallen service members through USAA’s Online Poppy Memorial. Personalize and dedicate a virtual poppy by visiting: poppyinmemory.com