Remembrance Day is a meaningful time to talk with young learners about peace, gratitude, and kindness. While the concept can feel abstract for Kindergarten and early years students, hands-on activities help them connect in age-appropriate ways.
Here are a few simple, engaging ways to honour the day in your classroom—while supporting fine motor development and bilingual learning.
1. Torn Paper Poppy Art
Tearing paper might seem simple, but it’s one of the best fine motor activities for little hands. Students strengthen finger muscles while creating beautiful, textured poppies.
I like to use red and green construction paper and let students tear small pieces to form the petals and leaves. The result is unique every time—and makes a wonderful classroom display.
2. Handprint Poppy Wreath
This craft is always a hit! Students trace and cut out their hands in red paper, then arrange them in a circle to form a wreath.
It’s a great way to symbolize unity and community—reminding students that peace starts with us working together.
Hands-On Remembrance Day Centres
For a low-prep way to bring learning and reflection together, my Hands-On Remembrance Day Centres (French + English) are designed to help students explore the symbols and language of Remembrance Day in meaningful ways.
The activities focus on:
Fine motor development (cutting, tracing, and building)
Vocabulary in both French and English
Connecting visuals and words to support comprehension
The bundle includes everything you need to create a thoughtful, calm learning experience around the themes of peace and remembrance.
Keeping the Focus on Peace and Gratitude
At this age, I try to keep discussions centered around kindness, peace, and gratitude. Instead of focusing on war, we talk about how people help others, show respect, and work together for a better world.
If you’re looking for simple, meaningful ways to mark Remembrance Day in your classroom, check out my Hands-On Remembrance Day Centre Activity Bundle on TPT. It’s available in French, Core French, and English, and designed to make bilingual instruction easy and stress-free.