Free Remembrance Day Activities & Resources

Free topic · Remembrance Day

Remembering together,
with care

Free poppy printables, poems, drawing and writing resources for thoughtful conversations about remembrance.

Choose a few meaningful starting points for your children: a poppy to look at, a picture or poem to share, or space for their own marks and questions. Keep explanations simple and respond with care to families’ different experiences.

Remembrance Sunday: 8 November 2026
Armistice Day / Remembrance Day: Wednesday 11 November 2026

All 22 core resources are free ↓
A gentle introduction to remembrance ↓

01 / Free Remembrance Day resources

Poppies & creative responses

Look closely at a poppy, talk about its colours and shape, then offer drawing, paint or collage. Children can make their own choices about how to respond; a simple explanation of the poppy’s meaning gives the activity context.

Poppy Templates — Art & Craft - resource cover
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Poppy Templates — Art & Craft

Poppy outlines for painting, collage, drawing, colouring, printing or cut-and-stick artwork.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Poppy Outline on Poppies - resource cover
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Poppy Outline on Poppies

A large poppy outline on a background of poppies offers space for an individual drawing or written response.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Poppy Colouring - resource cover
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Poppy Colouring

Poppy colouring sheets for children to explore colour and add their own detail.

Suggested use: Toddlers with adult support · Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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02 / Free Remembrance Day resources

Poems & shared reading

Choose a poem or picture to share with an adult. Listen to children’s ideas and explain unfamiliar words in a way that fits their experience. These resources offer different formats for reading together, illustrating and display.

Read the chosen poem first. Some posters use traditional remembrance poetry and language that needs careful explanation. Select what suits your group, particularly younger children and families affected by conflict or bereavement.

Poppy Poem Illustration Sheets - resource cover
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Poppy Poem Illustration Sheets

Two Remembrance poems with space for children to add illustrations after sharing and discussing the words with an adult.

Suggested use: Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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03 / Free Remembrance Day resources

Drawing, writing & thoughtful messages

Give children space to respond through talk, drawings, marks or words. Adults can scribe a child’s message when helpful. There is no expected personal story, feeling or amount of writing.

Remembrance Day Draw & Write Sheets - resource cover
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Remembrance Day Draw & Write Sheets

Sheets with different amounts of writing space invite children to draw or record their thoughts and feelings after a sensitive shared discussion.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Remembrance Message Sheets & Cards - resource cover
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Remembrance Message Sheets & Cards

A4 and A5 illustrated templates combine a colouring space with room to draw, write or dictate a message for an adult to scribe.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Poppy Drawing & Writing Sheets - resource cover
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Poppy Drawing & Writing Sheets

Poppy-themed pages offer space for drawing and writing after sharing a suitable Remembrance poster or poem together.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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Poppy Thank-You Activity - resource cover
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Poppy Thank-You Activity

Poppy outlines with a central drawing space invite children to reflect on something they value as part of an adult-led conversation about remembrance and gratitude.

Suggested use: Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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04 / Free Remembrance Day resources

Maths: counting & matching

Use a small selection of poppy pictures to match quantities, count together or explore dough. Choose the number range and materials for the children taking part, alongside a simple conversation about why poppies are being used.

Poppy Counting Puzzles (1–10) - resource cover
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Poppy Counting Puzzles (1–10)

Match numerals with quantities of poppies. Choose suitable numbers from 1–10, then explore number order or spotting a missing number.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

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Poppy Counting Playdough Mats (1–10) - resource cover
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Poppy Counting Playdough Mats (1–10)

Make playdough poppies to match numbers from 1–10. Select a suitable quantity and count the poppies together.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception

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05 / Free Remembrance Day resources

Displays & shared spaces

Create a small, thoughtful display using a banner, words or a poster. Choose the language you want to explain and include children’s contributions if they wish.

Remembrance Display Words - resource cover
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Remembrance Display Words

Word cards for a Remembrance display and adult-supported conversations about the words you choose to introduce.

Suggested use: Preschool · Reception · Selected KS1 uses

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06 / Choose a starting point

Choose by age & setting

These are suggested uses, guided by your knowledge of the children and their families. Links take you to the resource covers on this page.

Preschool / nursery

Start with a poppy, a simple explanation and a shared creative invitation. Children can look, talk, make marks or explore a small number of objects with an adult.

Reception

Build on children’s questions and familiar experiences. Share selected words or pictures, count together and invite an individual drawing or message.

KS1

Introduce the meaning of remembrance and the two dates clearly. Choose poetry carefully, discuss unfamiliar language and allow different ways to respond.

Childminders, mixed ages & toddlers

Keep familiar care and play available. Toddlers may join a simple shared creative experience without being expected to understand war, respond to poetry or take part in a formal silence.

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07 / Context & ideas

Introducing remembrance with care

Remembrance is a time to remember people who died in war and conflict and to think about peace. Begin with a short, honest explanation and follow children’s questions, using your knowledge of the group.

What is Remembrance Day?

In the UK, Remembrance Day is another name for Armistice Day, 11 November. It marks the armistice that brought fighting on the Western Front to an end in 1918. Remembrance now also includes those who have served and died in later conflicts. Read more about Armistice Day from the Royal British Legion.

A simple starting point might be: “We remember people who died in wars, and we think about how important peace is.” Use clear words, listen to questions and keep the detail appropriate for the children.

When are Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day in 2026?

Remembrance Sunday is 8 November 2026. It falls on the second Sunday in November, when the UK’s national service takes place at the Cenotaph.

Armistice Day / Remembrance Day is Wednesday 11 November 2026. The traditional Two Minute Silence is at 11am on 11 November. The two dates are connected but are not the same day in 2026.

Further information: GOV.UK: National Service of Remembrance 2026.

Why do people wear a poppy?

The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. Poppies grew on the battlefields of the First World War, and the flower became associated with remembering those who died. People choose whether to wear one.

For young children, you could say: “Some people wear a poppy to show they are remembering.” Read the Royal British Legion’s explanation of the poppy.

How can young children take part?

Offer a short shared conversation, a picture to look at, a creative response or a quiet moment with a familiar adult. Children can listen, ask questions, make marks or continue familiar play. Participation and stillness should suit each child; a full two-minute silence is not an expectation for every young child.

Be sensitive to children whose families have experienced conflict, military service or bereavement. Offer a familiar alternative and avoid asking anyone to share personal experiences.

How can we use the poems and writing sheets?

Read each poem yourself before choosing it for the group. Some traditional language and references to death need careful explanation. A short shared discussion may be more useful than expecting children to memorise a poem or complete a written response.

Children can draw, dictate a message, make marks or write independently. Blank and lined paper give different ways to respond, without a fixed finished example.

Do we need to change all our provision?

No. A few thoughtful additions can sit alongside familiar provision. Choose what has meaning for your children and allow plenty of time for ordinary play, relationships and routines.

Are all the Remembrance Day resources free?

Yes. All 22 core Remembrance Day resources on this page are available with Free Access, including the poems, displays, maths activities and drawing and writing sheets. Editable Word and PDF versions are available. Open the free resource gallery.

The wider November links below lead to other topics and pages, where access may vary.

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Resources created by Little Owls Resources.

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