Patriotic Kids: 17 Ways to Inspire Patriotism in Children 

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Do you want to raise patriotic kids?  Let’s inspire our children to love this country, and to fight for our rights and freedoms.

  “I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me.”  This song by Lee Greenwood is one of my favorite songs of all time.  I look forward to it every July because July 4th is my favorite holiday.  

I love when the flag appears for the first time in the parade, and everyone stands to honor it.  It is inspiring that everyone wears the colors of the flag; red, white, and blue.  I am grateful that we have the freedom to spend time with our families in celebrating any way we like.  At the culmination of this fantastic day with family, we get to watch mesmerizing fireworks.  I enjoy listening to patriotic music as we watch red, white and blue lights exploding across the sky.  

Every part of this day reminds me of the freedoms we enjoy because of the men and women who came before us and fought for those freedoms.  Now it is up to us to continue fighting for our rights and freedoms.  Let’s teach and inspire our children to love this country as well.  Here are 17 ways to inspire patriotism in our children. 

This post is all about ways to inspire your children to be patriotic kids. 

1. Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Children by Example    

The biggest reason I love America is because of my mother.  Every year the fourth of July was one of our best celebrations of the year.  I’m sure it was because it didn’t cost a lot of extra money.  We went to the parade and fireworks and had our extended family over for a Bar-B-Que.  My mother made sure we stood when the flag came. She always sang the national anthem at ball games. Every year she made a flag cake for the family Bar-B-Que.  She described to us how she learned to say the Pledge of Allegiance with honor.  Last of all, I saw tears in her eyes every time “I am proud to be an American” came on the radio.  I knew she loved America.  

2. Patriotic Kids: Teach Them What Patriotism Means

What does patriotism mean?  It is a respect for your nation, the flag, its government and, above all, it’s people.  It is a desire to see your nation be successful. Patriotism is a love for your country.  It doesn’t mean that you think your country is perfect, but that you are willing to do things that will make it better.  It also means to not lose faith and to honor those who defended this great country. Patriotism is to remember the sacrifices of all who came before us.

 

3.  Take Your Children to Vote With You

Let your children see patriotism in action.  Let them see that you have a voice and believe in the opportunity to cast your vote.  Even if your candidate doesn’t win, teach them to have respect for those who lead our cities, states, and country. Discuss voting with your children and why it’s so important to you.  

4.  Write a Letter to a Veteran With Your Child

My daughter is a second-grade teacher and every year they write letters to veterans.  Every year, one or two of her students write a letter to my dad who served in Vietnam.  He looks forward to these letters and the cute and fun things that the children write in those letters.  These children show appreciation to him in such clever and meaningful ways.

5.  Talk With a Veteran or a Soldier   

It would be amazing to invite a veteran to dinner or a Veteran’s Day program, or a family game night or activity where your children could ask them questions about their service.  My son had the opportunity to talk with a Veteran of World War 2 who belongs to our church.  The man was a fighter pilot with some amazing stories.  My son loved to spend time with this man and hear stories.  These men have a great love for our country because they fought for it.  What better experience can you give your children to listen to someone who fought for them?  Then let your children do something for these veterans to show appreciation.  Maybe a card, or a gift.

6.  Introduce Your Child to a Politician or Legislator

It would be a great opportunity for your children to talk with someone who is in the middle of making decisions for the city, the state or even the country.  Talk with them about the challenges they have making decisions that will please everyone.  Ask this public servant the best part of the job or the hardest part of the job.  Have them explain the reason why they serve.  Make sure you have them explain to your children why they love this great country and how their job has affected their own patriotism.

 

7. Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Child About the Flag  

Teach your children about the history of the flag.  The changes of the flag over the years can have a great affect on children and their views of the country.  One of the best experiences I had with the flag was when I was 16 years old, and I attended a flag burning ceremony.  The lady who led the ceremony had such a great love for this country and shared her enthusiasm with us.  By the end of the ceremony, I had such respect and love for the men and women who sacrificed their lives for us.  There was an amazing spirit of love and peace that fueled my heart that night.  I have tried to give my own children that same love I felt that night.  Take your children to a flag burning ceremony that is done appropriately by people who love this country.  

8.  Give Your Child Their Own Flag

Teach your children about flag etiquette, how to fold a flag, and the best ways to display a flag.  Then give them the chance to practice their knowledge.  Taking care of a flag on their own will teach them respect.  

 

9.  Visit a Historical Site and Discuss How it Affected America

I have always loved the quote, “Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” — Edmund Burke.  The more children learn about history, the more they learn about how people treated each other.  They learn about mistakes and triumphs of others. They can learn how people were courageous or scared.  Historical sites give you an opportunity to teach your children values that will help them succeed.  Every historical site we have visited, we have felt that spirit of patriotism and love for our country.

 

10.  Visit a National Park  

National Parks have amazing history.  Each park we have visited has left an amazing feeling in our hearts.  We learn something about the history and why it’s so important to our country.  My favorite quote came from the window of an information center overlooking the Grand Canyon.  It said, “Do nothing to mar its grandeur for the ages have been at work on it and man cannot improve it.  Keep it for your children, your children’s children and all who come after you.”  -Theodore Roosevelt.  

As I was overlooking the Grand Canyon, with my children, I expressed my love for our country and those that had the foresight to protect this beautiful land for my children.  I encouraged my children to keep protecting these areas for future generations.  

 

11. Make Every Patriotic Holiday a Celebration

President’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Labor Day, 9/11, Veterans Day, D-Day, and Pearl Harbor are just a few of the holidays that are important to Americans.  Teach your children why these dates are significant to our history. Get these flag pins and ask your children to hand them out. 

12.  Read Children’s Books About Patriotism and/or Patriotic Holidays

Children relate to characters in a book.  It is a great way to teach children patriotism. 

 

 

13. Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Children About the Pledge of Allegiance  

Every time we say the Pledge of Allegiance, it gives us the chance to remember what America stands for.  My mom explained to me that she had been taught to say the Pledge of Allegiance without a pause between “One nation” and “under God.”  Still today when I hear people pause, I smile because I think of her.  And while either way is completely fine, I knew it meant enough to her to share her experience with me.   

 

14. Get Involved in Your Community

There are many projects and activities in the community.  As we get involved in community projects, we show our kids that we want to make our community better.  They can see our love for the country and the people around us.  Every opportunity in your community demonstrates to your children how the world works.  You can instill in them values of work and service as you serve in your community.  Children will learn that everyone must do their part to make our country better.  

 

15.  Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Children the History of the National Anthem   

Our National Anthem was written and inspired during war time.  Teach your children the history of the national anthem and how to show respect for it. It a beautiful story of patriotism and what these men were fighting for.  

 

16. Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Children About Their Responsibilities as Citizens

Help them to understand our history and how to appreciate our diversity.  Our country has been built on diversity.  Many immigrants, from many different countries blended to make our amazing country.  We have a rich history of working together and fighting for our freedoms.

 

17.  Patriotic Kids: Teach Your Children about the Government

Teach your children about the government, the Bill of Rights, and how that affects our freedoms.  The more our children know about our country and its freedoms, the better off they will be when it comes time to defend our rights.  

 

Our country isn’t perfect, and in fact, we have many issues.  But this country is something worth fighting for, and learning patriotism will enable future generations.  The freedoms, beauty and diversities of this country are inspiring.  I hope we never lose what we have.   The way to keep our freedoms is to teach our children that they are worth fighting for. Surround your children with people who love this country, to help strengthen their patriotism.  

Our future lies in the values and morals we instill in our children.  Hopefully they will learn to love our country and they will be able to say, “And I’d gladly stand up next to you. And defend Her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land. God Bless the U.S.A.”   Let’s serve!

This post was all about ways to inspire your children to be patriotic kids.