The red poppy has long been used as a symbol of war remembrance for Anzac Day (April 25th). People wear the poppies to show respect and to remember those who died in war OR who still serve in the defence force today. Now you can make your own remembrance poppy field at home or school, using these instructions…

What you need:

• Large red cupcake cases

• Small red cupcake cases
  If you can’t get any small cupcake cases, try cutting some of your large ones to make them smaller.

• Scissors

• Black marker pen

• Iceblock sticks

• Green paint

• Paint brush

• Sticky tape

What to do:

1. On a covered surface, paint the iceblock sticks with green paint on one side.
   Allow to dry, then turn the sticks over and paint the other side.

2. While the sticks dry, use the black marker to draw a black circle in the centre of the small cupcake cases.

3. Squeeze a small drop of glue into the middle of the large cupcake case and press the small cupcake case down firmly on the glue.

4. Once the glue and paint have dried, pinch the edges of the large cupcake case so that the edges look like petals.

5. To complete your poppies, use a piece of sticky tape to attach the green iceblock sticks to the back of each red cupcake case poppy.

What to do with your poppies…

If the weather is nice, you can “plant” your poppies out the front of your house, to show your remembrance of those who died defending NZ and those who still serve in the defence force.
Note: the cupcake cases will get soggy and tear if left out in damp weather.

Alternatively, you could use them to decorate your house in the build-up to Anzac Day OR you could attach a safety pin to the back of the cupcake cases (instead of the stick) and wear them.

If you choose to wear a poppy, make sure to pin it on the left side of your shirt, as close to your heart as possible.

Did you give it a go?

Send us a photo of your Anzac Poppies and you might find your creation featured on the Upstart website or in a future issue of Upstart magazine… AND win a prize!