On April 25, as a nation, we commemorate Anzac Day and honour those who had served or are serving our country. In preparation for this meaningful day, we’ve put together a collection of Anzac Day activities and teaching resources for you to use in your lower primary, middle primary or upper primary classroom. In 2018 we will commemorate the centenary; 100 Years of ANZAC.

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Anzac Day provides us with the opportunity to talk to our students about the importance of the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) and the significant roles service men and women of our nations have now and had during the war.

During the Gallipoli Campaign, the Australian and New Zealand Forces created a powerful legacy commonly known as the ‘Anzac Legend‘. This then formed part of the identity for each nation, shaping past and future

What is Anzac Day?

Anzac Day is both a celebration and a commemoration. Explaining to your students the reasons behind the traditions and services is an important part of the day.

A gorgeous video that can be showed to all age groups.

Anzac Day Craft Ideas for the Classroom

1. ANZAC Soldier Silhouette Artworks

Use the free Anzac Day Silhouette Art Templates to create a simple but effective tribute to the ANZACs.

How to Create an ANZAC Soldier Silhouette Artwork

1. Simply create a sunset background using one of the techniques below.
2. Cut out the template and glue it on top of the sunset.
3. Trim the edges of the background to match the template (i.e. trim around the outside of the circular template, or trim the sides of the rectangle template).

Sunset Background Techniques

• Use red, orange, yellow and purple oil pastels to create a sunset. Gently blend the edges of each colour into the next.
• Lay coloured crepe paper over a piece of white card and spray the crepe paper with water. Leave it for 2 to 3 minutes and allow the dye to soak into the white card. Remove the crepe paper and let the card dry.
• Use watercolour paints to create the sunset.
• Stick tissue paper squares onto the sticky side of clear book contact to create a background for the silhouette.

2. Create an Anzac Day Wreath

The wreath is a traditional tribute for Anzac Day services. They are traditionally woven with Laurel leaves, which was used as a symbol of honour as far back as the ancient Romans to crown victors and the brave. The wreaths are also adorned with red poppies.

Download our free Anzac Day Wreath template and have your students colour in the first template or they can colour the individual poppy, wreath, leaves and sign and stick it all together themselves.

Anzac Day Picture Books

Picture books are a powerful way of introducing and explaining Anzac Day to children.

• Before reading an Anzac Day picture book to your students, start a conversation with them about what Anzac Day means to them and the significance they think it has to our nation.
• Whilst reading, stop and reflect on the events taking part along the way and imagine with your students how the characters may be feeling.
• After reading, identify the important message that the author has presented in the book, then engage students with an activity that connects the students with the author’s purpose or a personal experience they have had.

Here are a few examples of books you may like to find to share with your students.

Most of them can be found at your local library, purchased online at Booktopia or perhaps you have some floating around your school library!

Lower Primary – Anzac Ted by Belinda Landsberry and The Anzac Puppy by Peter Millett

Middle Primary – Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood and My Grandad Marches On Anzac Day by Catriona Hoy

Upper Primary – In Flanders Fields by Norman Jorgensen and Simpson and His Donkey by Mark Greenwood

Classroom Activities for Anzac Day

Make a Poppy

Although the red poppies have long been a part of Remembrance Day, they are are also being used as part of Anzac Day observances.

You may like to use our Red Poppy Template for your students to easily create their very own red poppy.

Create a classroom display with each of your students red poppies to commemorate Anzac Day.

Bake Anzac Biscuits

During World War One, savoury hardtack biscuits were sent to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps serving overseas. These biscuits became known as Anzac biscuits and are still traditionally made for Anzac Day each year.

Display the recipe for Anzac biscuits in your classroom. If you have the facilities, make a batch of Anzac biscuits with your class at school. Otherwise, you may like to have your students complete our Anzac biscuits sequencing activity.

Design a Medal

During Anzac Day marches and ceremonies, veterans and active service men and women wear medals as a sign of honour.

Investigate the different medals people wear and then get your students to make their own war medals by decorating a circle cut out from gold paper and attaching it to some striped ribbon.

Printable Anzac Day Activities

You may like to complement one of the previous learning experiences with one of the following Anzac Day activities.

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  For The Fallen - Gallipoli Poem

  A poem to use in the classroom in preparation for Anzac Day.

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  The Gallipoli Campaign - Worksheets

  A set of worksheets about the the Gallipoli Campaign.

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  Gallipoli 5 Ws Worksheet

  A teaching resource to use in the classroom when learning about WWI, Gallipoli and the Anzacs.

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  Women In World War One

  A fact sheet about the important roles women had during World War One.

Find all of the above resources, templates and more classroom resources in our Anzac Day Teaching Resource Collection.

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