Why Teach About Veterans Day?
As homeschoolers, we have the unique opportunity to shape our children’s worldview. In our home, this includes living life with our eyes on Christ while we teach kindness, compassion, and gratitude. This time of year, we should make sure to include lessons on service, friendship, and sacrifice as we use these Veterans Day homeschool ideas.
Veterans Day is rich in history, honor, and humility. Celebrated on the 11th of November every year, it pays homage to the end of the First World War while also remembering all those who chose to serve.
As a Federal Holiday, many students get the day off from school, but in our homeschool, we tend to learn about Veterans Day on Veterans Day.
It’s a day we take a break from our traditional lessons and instead learn to be grateful for those men and women who choose to wear a uniform in defense of our country. We explore patriotism, courage, and sacrifice; discuss the different military holidays throughout the year, and even look to scripture to see what God says about serving one another.
Over the next few minutes, I’m going to show you how you too ideas for teaching gratitude today by using Veterans Day homeschool ideas.
Start with the Basics: Who Are Veterans?
A simple explanation of who a veteran is is simply one who wrote a blank check to the United States government.
Some children, however, may not quite understand that explanation
A more detailed explanation shares that a veteran is one who served this country by joining one of the branches of the United States military.
Some veterans serve in times of peace, while others see combat or are deployed to different countries.
In our home, this concept is easily understood as we have many service members in our family and friend groups, but if your child is unfamiliar you may need to use some helpful resources.
What kinds of additional resources? Well, the skies the limit, my friend, but in our homeschool, we love book based homeschooling, watching educational videos, and using printables like my free Veterans Day printable.
Plan a Visit or Interview with a Veteran
Whether you have a family member or friend who is willing to speak to your children or you have to reach out to a local veteran organization, many military veterans are welcome to share their experience with those who want to learn and ask questions.
Visiting with or interviewing a veteran is a great way for your children to work on so many skills! Help your student prepare questions ahead of time, teach them how to listen for learning, and even participate in the interview yourself to help your child ask proper follow-up questions.
Encourage your child to take notes or record the interview (with permission, of course), and be sure to ask the veteran what Veterans Day means to them.
Veterans can offer insights that you won’t find in your history books and it can help to bring real-life meaning to who a veteran is and why Veterans Day is so important.
Be sure to have your children thank them for their time as well as their service.
Write Letters or Make Cards
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways for children to express gratitude is this Veterans Day homeschool idea through handwritten letters or handmade cards.
Organizations like Operation Gratitude or A Million Thanks collect letters and cards to distribute to veterans and active-duty service members. As your children work on their thank you veterans notes, remind them that these small gestures can make a big difference to someone who may be far from family or reflecting on their time in the military.
Encourage them to write heartfelt messages such as:
- “Thank you for your service and for keeping us safe.”
- “I hope you have a wonderful Veterans Day!”
This activity can double as a handwriting practice and language arts lesson. You can even incorporate spelling and vocabulary words related to Veterans Day.
Learn About Military History and Traditions
Incorporating military history into your lesson plans can help children understand the significance of Veterans Day.
For older children, discuss major conflicts and the roles U.S. soldiers played. This might include World War II, the Vietnam War, and recent missions overseas.
You can also include lessons on the humanitarian side of service—helping to rebuild, protect communities, and bring aid to those in need.
Also, don’t forget to explore different military branches, uniforms, or traditions, like the symbolism of folding the American flag or the significance of military medals. Many museums have virtual tours or online resources specifically for teaching military history. These interactive lessons allow kids to see artifacts and hear stories of the people who wore the uniforms.
Creative Ways To Teach Veterans Day Gratitude
Crafts are always a good plan when working on a homeschool lesson as kids love hands-on projects.
Bonus points if your children can work on their crafts while you read aloud to them!
When contemplating gratitude crafts as one of your Veterans Day homeschool ideas, consider if you are displaying your child’s work at home or sending it away.
Consider making a simple American flag craft or a poppy flower—a symbol of remembrance for veterans. You could also create a family gratitude display by writing down reasons why you are thankful for the sacrifices veterans make. Post these notes on a wall or bulletin board as a reminder throughout November.
A few Patriotic craft ideas to try:
- Handprint Flag Art: Have your child create a flag by stamping handprints on paper.
- Poppy Flowers: Make paper poppies to honor fallen soldiers.
- Thankful Banner: Create a banner with each family member’s note of gratitude for our service members.
Teach About Community and Giving Back
Veterans Day is also a chance to discuss community service. Consider volunteering or helping a local organization that serves veterans. Some communities have drives for necessities like clothing, toiletries, and blankets, which are donated to veterans’ organizations.
By giving back, children can learn that gratitude is more than words—it’s actions that show we care. Afterward, talk to your kids about how helping others makes them feel and why it’s important to support people in our communities.
Service and Scripture
Before you end your Veterans Day homeschool ideas & gratitude lessons, be sure to see what scripture has to say about service, helping others, and what it means to be a good friend.
Some great verses include:
- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13
- “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” – Psalm 91:1-2
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
- “When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’” – Judges 6:12
While many focus on Thanksgiving this month as they try to teach gratitude in their homeschool, consider this your invitation to add a Veterans Day gratitude lesson this year and every year.
Free Gratitude Challenge
To help you out, I’ve created a simple 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Printable. Each person in your family should have their own printable. At dinner time or bedtime, let your kids write what they are thankful for that day. There is enough space on the printable to let your kids write what they are thankful for that day.
Kelly is a homeschooling mama living in Maine with her husband of more than 20 years and their four children, two of whom are homeschool graduates, along with their five pets. She is a veteran homeschooler who is passionate about helping the homeschool community simplify their homeschool, find their authentic learning style, and embrace the chaos that often comes with raising a family. Offering homeschool help, hope & humor, you can follow Kelly online at Hope In The Chaos as well as on various social media platforms: Facebook | Facebook Group| Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter.
