Five Lessons I Want to Teach My Kids about ANZAC Day
As the mother of two boys, I am often torn between wanting to protect them from the harsh realities of life and knowing that it is my responsibility to prepare them. Until now, I have kept ANZAC Day out of my children’s conversations. I have told myself that they are still too young. For them, everything is playdough, playgrounds, and bedtime tales.
In my heart, I realize that parenting is more than just protecting children. It’s all about raising grateful, thoughtful, and respectful humans. My oldest is almost five, and my youngest is nearing three. They are still young, yes, but they’re not too young to start learning about the values that define our lives as Australians.
This year, I’ve decided it’s time to talk to them–gently and age-appropriately–about the importance of ANZAC Day. I won’t be diving into complex war discussions or graphic history lessons just yet. I focus on what they understand: gratitude, bravery, and remembrance.
Here are five lessons that I would like to share with my children on ANZAC Day and how I intend to incorporate these discussions into our family traditions.
1. It’s Not “a holiday” but A Day for ANZAC
Teach Kids What April 25 Means
I want to make sure that my boys understand that ANZAC Day doesn’t mean a day off. This is not the same as our long weekends, when we used to go on beach trips or have BBQs. This is a day of remembrance. While it’s fine to spend time with your family, you should also take a moment to reflect and remember why this time was given.
The next time April 25 comes around, and everyone is home, I will call it ANZAC Day and not “a day off”. I’ll explain to them that today is a special day when we thank people who have helped to keep our country safe. We’ll also discuss the meaning of ANZAC — Australian & New Zealand Army Corps in a simple way for them to understand.
We’ll create a tradition by planning activities that are related to the day.
- Paint red poppies using finger paints
- Making ANZAC biscuits with each other
- Visiting our local war memorial
These interactive moments will reinforce the idea that ANZAC Day is more than a celebration–it’s a time to reflect and be grateful.
2. Why We Bake ANZAC Biscuits: A Story of Love and Resilience
Turning Baking into a Teaching Experience
My children love to get messy in the kitchen. It’s a great way to spend time together. Sticky fingers and giggles are common. What better way to learn about the story behind ANZAC Biscuits than by baking?
As we shape dough, roll oats, and pour golden syrup together, I will tell a story.
“Long ago, when soldiers far away from home were, their mothers and wives wanted them to send something special. These biscuits, ANZAC biscuits, didn’t spoil easily and didn’t require a refrigerator. “The soldiers ate these biscuits instead of bread.”
I will explain that this small gesture of love sent from home brought comfort to the soldiers during a very difficult time. I don’t want to go into the horrors of war yet, but rather to plant a seed of appreciation for sacrifice.
As my children grow, I will add more history to the mix. Gallipoli, World Wars, and the deeper meaning of ANZAC Day. But for now, it is the starting point. The kitchen will become a classroom full of empathy and awareness.
3. Red Poppies are Special Flowers
Use Art to Understand Symbolism
Art is a great way to get young children talking. We’ll use some red and green paint to create our poppy images. This is a simple activity that has a powerful message.
As we shape petals by pressing our fingers on the paper, I will tell them:
These flowers are called poppies. After the soldiers had fought, they grew on the battlefields. They wear them as shirts or hats in memory of those brave soldiers.
The poppy’s visual is very powerful. It is not frightening or overwhelming. It is beautiful, gentle, and meaningful. I will show them photos of people wearing poppy flowers and explain that every flower is a promise made to remember.
4. What a Wreath Means on a War Memorial
Explore Remembrance through Nature and Community
A beautiful playground is nestled in a park dedicated to war veterans, not far from my house. Around ANZAC Day each year, the steps of the memorial are decorated with floral tributes. This is a beautiful, quiet display of community remembrance. It’s also the perfect place to teach a gentle lesson.
We will go to a play, as we always do, but we will stop at the memorial before we leave. I will crouch beside them and say,
“Are you able to see those lovely flower circles? These are wreaths. “People place these wreaths here to thank the soldiers for helping to keep our country safe.”
I will also point out the golden plaques that are on the memorial. Each one represents a local soldier. I will explain that they used to live near us, just as we do. “And they were brave.”
It helps them understand that these sacrifices were made by real people who lived in our community.
We can give the boys a sense of both childhood and perspective by making this an annual tradition.
5. The Importance of Saying Thank You and Expressing Gratitude
Create a Ritual of Remembrance for Your Family
Gratitude is one of the values I most want to instill in my children. I want my children to know, in even the smallest way, what a lucky country they live in, with its parks, schools, and opportunities.
My youngest child is too young to attend an official sunrise service, and my autistic eldest might have trouble with the crowds. We can still celebrate the day at home.
We’ll instead hold a quiet, small family ceremony. We will light a candle. We will stand together outside or in the living room. I’ll say, “Let’s stand together and be silent for one minute in memory of the soldiers.”
It might not be perfect, as toddlers aren’t known to stay still. But it will begin a habit. A ritual. We build each year on a quiet moment of reflection.
As they age, I hope that they will carry with them this gratitude. I hope they will always be proud to thank people, not just on ANZAC Day.
Conclusion
Answering big questions in small words is what parenting means. It’s about finding simple ways to instill deep values. While ANZAC Day has a complicated history in Australia, it is also an opportunity to teach kids about courage, kindness, and the importance of remembering.
By using baking, crafts, stories, and other small rituals, I help my sons understand that today isn’t about the past, but about who we are now and who we want to be tomorrow.
We’ll paint. We’ll paint. We’ll bake. We’ll pause. We’ll pause.
Lest we forget.
