With ANZAC Day on 25 April, RSL Australia has shared some great ways to commemorate ANZAC Day as a family, regardless of the age of your children. These are all easy, affordable and kid-friendly ideas to help you pay your respects to our veterans.
1. ATTEND AN ANZAC DAY EVENT TOGETHER
There’s no greater way to honour the ANZACs – and those who followed in their footsteps – than by commemorating together as a family at your local RSL Sub Branch service. Dawn Services take place as the sun rises, while marches and day services are traditionally held later and may be an easier option for young children. It’s never too early to attend a service and all members of the public are invited to join in. Family members of veterans are also welcome to wear their relatives’ medals at these events, following certain protocols. Find your nearest event at Plan Your ANZAC Day. Alternatively, if your family can’t attend a service in person, you can watch or listen to a live service online, on TV or on the radio.
2. BAKE SOME DELICIOUS ANZAC BISCUITS
Following the ceremonial proceedings of the morning, why not whip up an easy and tasty afternoon tea classic to share? We’ve got you covered with a mouth-watering ANZAC biscuit recipe that the whole family will love. Get your kids in the kitchen to help with measuring, mixing and (the best part) taste-testing. After cooking up a storm together, you can share the history of ANZAC biscuits with your little helpers over a cuppa. Not only will they learn about the origins of these delicious snacks, but they will gain an appreciation of their significance on these commemorative days.
3. PLANT A ROSEMARY BUSH AT HOME
Did you know that rosemary is ANZAC Day’s traditional symbol of remembrance? You might notice people wearing sprigs of this aromatic plant on their lapels or medals on ANZAC Day, in memory of the fallen. Your family can easily join in this tradition as well. If your home has an outdoor space such as a backyard, garden bed, or balcony, you could consider planting your own rosemary shrub together as a family. Rosemary is an abundant, low maintenance and evergreen plant – perfect for even the most novice gardeners – and a flavourful addition to your homecooked meals.
4. SHARE STORIES AND FAMILY HISTORY
Many families share a proud history of service, often memorialised through stories and artefacts. ANZAC Day is the perfect opportunity to pass these histories down to younger generations. You can also explore your family history through the National Archives of Australia’s Defence and War Service Records. For younger children, broaching topics of war and loss can be overwhelming. Resources such as the State Library of Queensland’s First 5 Forever Program offer great tips on safely including your youngest family members in ANZAC Day commemorations: for example, by introducing age-appropriate book titles and using new words and phrases in conversation, such as ‘lest we forget’.
5. GET CREATIVE TO COMMEMORATE
If your kids love arts and crafts, why not organise some fun activities to help them unleash their inner Picasso while also commemorating ANZAC Day? You don’t need to invest in a heap of supplies to do this; masterpieces can be made from many repurposed, recycled and/or inexpensive materials. Need some ideas to get those creative juices flowing? Your family could:
- create a wreath of rosemary or paper poppies to display in your home
- decorate a postcard to thank and honour our veterans for their service
- write a reflective poem or letter about what ANZAC Day means to you.
This content originally appeared on RSL Australia at: https://anzacspirit.com.au/blog/commemorate-anzac-day-as-a-family
