April is the Month of the Military Child! The Department of Defense brings attention to the sacrifice of military service on our children, celebrating their extraordinary resolve in the face of constant change. According to the Department of Defense, there are over 1.6 million children in our communities! Here are easy, cost effective ways to celebrate your military child this April!
PURPLE UP on April 15th!Â
Wear purple this year as a visible symbol of support for our military children and their sacrifices. Purple Up Day allows communities to say thank you to our children! Purple Up Day this year is April 15th, 2023.
WORK THROUGH THIS WORKBOOK
Created by a military spouse for military children, Extraordinary Military Kids: A Workbook for and about Military Kids is an interactive opportunity to engage children over their own military child narratives. Written by Megan Numbers, a very  own military child herself, will encourage your kid to explore his or her own journey and emotions as a military child!
CREATE DANDELIONS OF STRENGTH ART TOGETHERÂ
Dandelions seeds carry with the wind, thriving where their roots  plant. The dandelion symbolizes an abundance of strength, hope, and endured growth, all characteristics of our military children!  Using this tutorial, How to Paint Dandelions With Empty Toilet Paper Rolls, craft dandelions with your children. Once dry, write a message on the seeds detailing the characteristics you admire in your military child. These messages are ways to affirm your child of their resiliency as they navigate military life alongside you!
CONNECT WITH A PENPAL
Team up with other military families to have your kids write each other during the month of April! Send artwork, postcards, pictures. Share fun facts of the surrounding area of your current duty station. This is a great way to connect our children to their community and friends beyond your current duty station. Even consider breaking open the map, display on a wall, and let your kids see where their penpal lives!
OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE YOUR MILITARY CHILD:
- Bake Purple Pancakes to Eat on Purple Up! Day
- Do a Photo Shoot in a field of Dandelions
- Look Through Photo Albums of Your Families Military Journey
- Share Your Experiences as a Military Child
- Have friends and family record or write messages to your military child highlighting their admiration for your military children!
