Remembrance Day activities

1. A remembering story
If you can, borrow or buy the book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge , by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas (Puffin 1987). This is a story for children but, well-read, could be a thoughtful experience for young people too. You could display similar items to those referred to in the story.

2. Love starts with you and me
An action rhyme for younger ones.

We must remember those who have died in wars. We, like them, want a world at peace, with no war. We can each help by loving those we know.
Children stand in pairs facing one another. They will say one verse to each other, and then find someone else. Eventually, everyone will have greeted everyone else. A pair of leaders could demonstrate words and actions. If it’s easier, the children stand in a circle and move on in rotation.

(Tune, ‘The farmer’s in his den.’)
Love starts with you and me. (Point to partner and then point to self.)
Love starts with you and me. (Point to partner and then point to self.)
Pass it on, pass it on. (Shake hands or do ‘high-fives’.)
Love starts with you and me. (Move on to next child.)
God’s peace is in our hands. (Point to sky on peace, hold out hands.)
God’s peace is in our hands. (Point to sky on peace, hold out hands.)
Pass it on, pass it on. (Shake hands or do ‘high fives’.)
God’s peace is in our hands. (Move on to next child.)

3. Memories
Ask everyone to talk about things they remember doing long ago. Do they remember being in reception class, or nursery, or playgroup? Do they remember a first holiday or trip somewhere new? Do they remember someone who has died or gone away? Why is it important to remember? How does it feel to remember? (Be sensitive, there may be some children who have memories they would rather not recall.)

With appropriate materials, invite the children to draw or paint someone or something lovely they remember. Place the pictures on the floor and say the thanksgiving prayer below, making it personal by adding the names of people or places the children have remembered.

Loving God, we thank you for memories.
We remember when we were little,
our first day at nursery, at school, our first friends, (add names) .
We remember having good times on holidays,
and on trips to (add place names) .
We remember those we can’t see anymore, (add names) .
We thank you that in our memories we can enjoy all these people and places again,
And when we have bad memories help us to not to be afraid.
We know that you are always with us and you will love us forever.
Amen

4. Remembering dates
Show a selection of cards: Christmas, Easter, Birthday, Anniversary, Mothering Sunday and so on. Talk about dates that it is important to celebrate or simply to remember. What if we forget? What would it be like if no one remembered your birthday? Why should we want to remember things like war?

5. Petal Collage
Cut red tissue paper cut into lots of small petal shapes. Cover the large cardboard cross cut from white card with stuck on petals and use it as the centrepiece for a time of prayer for peace. Alternatively, each child can decorate a small cross to take home.

6. Prayer for Peace
Place a large bowl of water in the middle of the floor. Give a small pebble to every child. Drop one pebble into the water and together watch the ripples spread out. Say the words below:

Imagine that this pebble is a droplet of love,
(pause) .
God calls us all to be like droplets of love in a world where there is hatred and war.
(Drop another pebble into the water.)
If we could let our love spread like ripples on a lake,
God’s love would spread through all the world.
(Drop another pebble into the water.)
Real peace comes through love and understanding. It starts with us and how we treat others – here – now – today – tomorrow.
(Invite all the children to come forward and drop their pebbles in the water one by one.)
Lord Jesus, help us to love one another and make this world a place of peace. Amen

7. Flanders' fields presentation
(For the oldest children.)
Take a look at The British Legion website, especially the poem by John McCrae. Read it to the children. Ask them to close their eyes and visualise the scene. Read it again with instrumental background music. Give each child a red, white or black silk or crepe paper streamer. Encourage them to choreograph movement to the poem and music.
The final version could be presented to the rest of the congregation.

8. Resource book
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr, Collins, 1998. Like The diary of Anne Frank , Judith Kerr’s novel helps younger readers understand the Holocaust through the eyes of someone they can relate to. Recommended for nine year olds and upwards.