Veterans Day Soldier Craft for Kids (Free Printable)
This Veterans Day Soldier Craft is a fun and meaningful activity for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary school students. Kids get to color their own little soldier, put it together, and create an American flag heart that opens to reveal a sweet thank-you message.
Whether you’re planning Veterans Day activities for your classroom, homeschooling, or looking for a thoughtful project to make at home, this free printable is an easy way to get started!
If you love teaching kids about important holidays through hands-on activities, you might also enjoy my MLK Jr. Printables for Kids. They’re another great way to introduce meaningful conversations while keeping little hands busy!
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What Is Included in the Free Printable?
My Veterans Day Soldier Craft printable includes everything your child needs to create an adorable soldier holding a patriotic thank-you heart.
The printable features:
A cute soldier wearing a camouflage uniform and helmet
Two separate arms that can be attached to the soldier
An American flag heart with stars and stripes
Two folding tabs at the top of the flag heart
A second heart that says “Thank You for Your Service!”
Simple cutting, folding, and gluing guides
The best part is the little surprise hidden inside the heart!
When the craft is finished, kids can lift the American flag heart to reveal the thank-you message underneath.
The printable is designed for personal use and classroom use, making it easy to incorporate into your November lesson plans.
Supplies You'll Need
You probably already have most of these supplies at home or in your classroom!
Free Veterans Day Soldier Craft printable
White printer paper or cardstock
Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Construction paper (optional)
I recommend using cardstock if you’re planning to give the finished craft to a veteran. It makes the soldier and folding heart a little sturdier.
You can also glue the finished soldier onto red, white, or blue construction paper to create a patriotic background.
How to Make This Veterans Day Soldier Craft
This is one of those craft activities that looks adorable when finished but doesn’t require a ton of preparation.
Here are the step-by-step instructions!
Step 1: Print the Soldier Craft Template
Start by downloading and printing the free printable below.
Print it on regular white paper or cardstock. If you’re making this with an entire class, I recommend preparing all the copies ahead of time.
Step 2: Color Your Soldier
Let your child color the soldier’s uniform, helmet, boots, and face.
They can use different shades of green, brown, and tan for the camouflage pattern or get creative with their own colors.
This is also a great opportunity to introduce the different branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Step 3: Color the American Flag Heart
Next, color the heart to look like the US flag.
Use red for the alternating stripes, blue for the star section, and leave the stars white.
Younger children might need a little help identifying which areas to color.
Step 4: Cut Out the Pieces
Carefully cut out the soldier, both arms, and the two hearts.
Make sure to keep the folding tabs attached to the American flag heart. You’ll need them to make the heart open and close.
For preschoolers and younger kindergarten students, an adult can help with the smaller pieces.
If your little one is still learning how to use scissors, my Free Cutting Practice Worksheets for Kids are a great way to build those fine motor skills before tackling more detailed crafts like this one.
Step 5: Assemble the Folding Heart
Place the “Thank You for Your Service!” heart underneath the American flag heart.
Fold the two tabs at the top of the flag heart along the dashed lines. Glue the tabs behind the top of the thank-you heart so the flag heart can lift upward.
Be careful not to glue the entire hearts together!
You want the top heart to open like a flap, revealing the message inside.
Step 6: Attach the Arms and Heart
Glue the soldier’s arms onto the body using the marked glue areas.
Position the completed heart in front of the soldier and attach it so the arms appear to hold it.
Make sure the top heart can still lift open.
And that’s it! Your adorable Veterans Day soldier is ready!
A Meaningful Veterans Day Activity for Kids
One of my favorite things about this soldier craft is that it creates an opportunity for a real conversation.
Veterans Day isn’t just about American flags, patriotic decorations, or having a day off from school.
It’s about recognizing the brave men and women who have served in our military.
Before starting the craft, I like the idea of asking kids a few simple questions:
What does it mean to be brave?
Why do we thank people who serve our country?
Do we know anyone who is a veteran?
What are some ways we can show gratitude?
For young kids, you can explain that veterans are people who have served in the military to help protect our country.
You can also talk about the different ways people serve their communities, making this a wonderful addition to lessons about community helpers.
It’s a meaningful way to help children understand why we honor soldiers and other service members.
I love using simple activities to teach kids about big topics like bravery, kindness, and equality. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my 20 Martin Luther King Jr. Activities for Kids for more meaningful ways to learn through crafts and play.
Teaching Kids About Veterans Day
Veterans Day is celebrated every year on November 11 in the United States.
It’s a day to recognize and thank everyone who has served in the US military.
While Veterans Day and Memorial Day are both important patriotic holidays, they have different meanings.
Veterans Day honors all military veterans, including those who are still living.
Memorial Day honors military personnel who died while serving our country.
Explaining this difference can help kids understand why we celebrate each holiday.
If you’re planning activities for both patriotic holidays, make sure to check out my 15 Easy Memorial Day Crafts for Kids. You’ll find more creative ways to help little ones learn about remembrance and honoring those who served.
You can also introduce older children to the history of Veterans Day, which began as Armistice Day following World War I.
Other countries observe related remembrance traditions. In Canada and several other countries, November 11 is known as Remembrance Day. Australia and New Zealand also observe ANZAC Day on April 25.
Poppy flowers are often associated with remembrance, which is why poppy crafts are another popular activity when teaching children about the World Wars.
These lessons don’t have to be complicated. Even a short conversation while coloring can help children appreciate the meaning behind these important holidays.
Another wonderful way to talk to kids about peace is through my MLK Peace Sign Craft. It’s a simple activity that helps introduce the importance of peace, kindness, and treating others with respect.
More Ideas for Your Veterans Day Lesson Plans
If you’re planning a full day of Veterans Day activities, you can easily combine this printable with other fun crafts and educational projects.
For example, children can make patriotic construction paper chains, color an American flag, or create special paper medals to recognize the bravery of veterans.
For even more patriotic activities, take a look at my 150 Memorial Day Activities for Kids. There are plenty of fun crafts, games, and family-friendly ideas you can adapt for different ages.
You could also read an age-appropriate book about military service or have students create thank-you cards.
For teachers who use Google Slides, a simple classroom presentation about the branches of the military can help introduce the topic before beginning the craft.
You could also turn this into a little geography lesson with my Free Blank Map of the USA Worksheet. It’s a fun way to help kids learn more about the United States while you’re talking about our country and its military.
I think combining hands-on kids’ activities with short discussions is one of the best ways to make learning memorable.
You don’t need an elaborate lesson to make Veterans Day special.
Download Your Free Veterans Day Soldier Craft Printable
I hope your kids have fantastic fun making this little soldier!
Whether you’re creating a classroom bulletin board, preparing Veterans Day crafts for your homeschool, or making something special for a veteran in your family, this printable is such a sweet way to celebrate.
Sometimes the simplest fun crafts are the ones that help kids learn the biggest lessons.
And if this little soldier helps even one child understand the importance of thanking our veterans, I think that’s pretty special.
[Download the Free Veterans Day Soldier Craft Printable]
Happy Veterans Day, and thank you to all the brave men and women who have served our country!
Frequently Asked Questions
This craft is great for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school students. Younger children may need help cutting and folding, while older kids can usually complete most of the project independently.
And if you’re looking for more easy learning activities for this age group, don’t miss my Free Kindergarten Worksheets. They’re perfect for adding a little extra learning to your homeschool or classroom routine.
Yes! This printable is available for personal use and classroom use. Teachers can print copies for their students, but the digital file should not be resold or redistributed.
Absolutely! While the thank-you message makes it especially appropriate for Veterans Day, the soldier template can also be used for Memorial Day activities with an age-appropriate discussion about the holiday’s meaning.
Nope! All you really need is the printable, coloring supplies, scissors, and glue. Construction paper and cardstock are optional.
Let’s Stay in Touch!
I hope you and your little ones enjoy making this Veterans Day Soldier Craft! If you love easy crafts, fun learning activities, and free printables for kids, make sure to follow The Foreign Mom on Pinterest for more inspiration. I’m always sharing new ideas to make learning fun!
