ANZAC Day: How to Make a Paper Poppy

Last year, I shared this craft over at the Pumpkin Patch Blog. I’m sharing it again this year because it’s a simple and easy craft to make for ANZAC Day.

ANZAC Day is one of Australia and New Zealand’s most important national days encompassing nationhood, love and loss, and the gratitude and honor given to our servicemen and women.   The poppy has increasingly become a symbol for ANZAC Day, and one that children can easily relate to (read more about the significance of the poppy here).

I believe in the importance of teaching  my children about the history of our country and its people, so my husband and I made a point of visiting the War Memorial Museum in Canberra (Australia) on one of our road trips.  I didn’t expect the flood of emotions that ran through me when I saw The Roll of Honour with my own eyes. Thousands of poppies lined the walls filled with too many names to count, and I felt overwhelmed by the immense loss. I hate war and long for peace for all.

It’s good to remember, and we take the time to do this particularly on ANZAC Day.  A simple paper poppy is one way to mark and learn about this important historical occasion with kids.

Make a Paper Poppy

Materials

2 x Red cupcake cases (or use white ones and colour them in red)

Green bamboo craft rods or paddle pop stick/green straw (available from craft and discount stores)

Permanent marker (or black texter)

Craft Glue

Instructions

1. Turn the two cupcake cases inside out.

2. Cut a wavy edge — in about 1 cm from the edge — around the first cupcake case.

3. Cut a wavy edge — in about 0.5 cm from the edge — around the second cupcake cases.

4. Draw a black centre inside the smaller cupcake case and small lines coming out from the centre to give that Poppy-Centre look (refer to the image of a wild poppy below).

5. Glue the smaller cupcake case inside the larger one.

6. Glue the flower on to the bamboo rod (or paddle pop stick/straw). If your rod or paddle pop stick is not already green (you can buy them coloured), simply colour in with texta or paint.

7. Make a few and display in a vase or cup, carry on a march or hold at a dawn service.

A wild poppy

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Tip: To display flowers in a vase, use shredded paper or pebbles in the base of the cup or vase and arrange the paper flowers.

Lest We Forget.

More

Paper Plate Poppy from Laughing Kids Learn