Studying World War 1 artifacts is a great way to learn about this important time in history.
World War I, often called “The Great War,” lasted from 1914 to 1918 and changed the world in many ways.
While it can feel like a distant and complicated topic, one of the best ways to make history come alive for kids is by exploring real-life artifacts, objects that people used during that time. These items tell stories about soldiers, families, and daily life during the war.
While parachutes didn’t really become widely used by the US until the last year of the war, they have come to be a symbol of it nonetheless.
Parachutes became important for pilots and later soldiers, helping them safely escape from aircraft. This simple craft demonstrates how air resistance slows objects down, just like real parachutes used in aviation.
WORLD WAR I BOOKS FOR KIDS
Next, add some of these books to your home library.
We prefer living books when we can find them.
7 World War I Books for Kids
Add some of these books about World War I to your home library.
Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of A Night Divided and Rescue, artfully weaves together the stories of five kids living through World War I who each hold the key to each other’s futures... if they are lucky -- and brave -- enough to find each other.
World War I stretches its cruel fingers across Europe, where five kids feel war's scarcity and challenges in different ways.
Felix, from Austria-Hungary, wants the courage to fight against Jewish deportations before his own family can be taken.
Kara, from Britain, wants to be a Red Cross nurse.
Juliette, of France, hopes her family can remain knitted together in the face of the war's longest battle.
Elsa, from Germany, hopes her homing pigeon might one day bring her a friend among the chaos.
And Dimitri, of Russia, wants only to survive the front, where he's been sent with no weapon.
None of them will find exactly what they want. But the winds of fate may cross their paths to give each of them just what they need.
Here is a heartwarming imagining of the real journey undertaken by the extraordinary bear who inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. From her early days with her mama in the Canadian forest, to her remarkable travels with the Veterinary Corps across the country and overseas, and all the way to the London Zoo where she met Christopher Robin Milne and inspired the creation of the world's most famous bear, Winnie is on a great war adventure. This beautifully told story is a triumphant blending of deep research and magnificent imagination. Infused with Sophie Blackall's irresistible renderings of an endearing bear, the book is also woven through with entries from Captain Harry Colebourn's real wartime diaries and contains a selection of artifacts from the Colebourn Family Archives. The result is a one-of-a-kind exploration into the realities of war, the meaning of courage, and the indelible power of friendship, all told through the historic adventures of one extraordinary bear.
Move over, Rin Tin Tin. Here comes Sgt. Stubby! That German shepherd star of the silver screen may have been born behind enemy lines during World War I, but Stubby, the stump-tailed terrier, worked behind enemy lines, and gained military honors along the way. Private Robert Conroy casually adopted the orphan pup while attending basic training on the campus of Yale University in 1917. The Connecticut volunteer never imagined that his stray dog would become a war hero. He just liked the little guy. When Conroy's unit shipped out for France, he smuggled his new friend aboard. By the time Stubby encountered Conroy's commanding officer, the dog had perfected his right-paw salute. Charmed, the CO awarded Stubby mascot status and sent him along with Conroy's unit to the Western Front. Stubby's brave deeds earned him a place in history and in the Smithsonian Institution where his stuffed body can still be seen. Almost 100 years later, Stubby's great deeds and brave heart make him an animal hero to fall in love with and treasure all over again.
The novel follows the story of Anne's youngest daughter, Rilla, as she grapples with the impact of World War I on her quiet Canadian town. Rilla joins the war effort as a volunteer nurse and experiences the heartache of war, as well as the courage of her friends and family. The novel explores themes of courage, love, and loss, as Rilla and her family strive to find peace and hope in a time of great darkness.
Take a journey to a vanished world with the ADVENTURES IN TIME series - stories so exciting you won't believe they're all true'The whistles blew, the cheers went up, and thousands of men were scrambling up into the rolling fields of No Man's Land . . .'Travel back in time to the First World War, as historian Dominic Sandbrook takes us from the soaring heights of an aeroplane cockpit to the desperate depths of the enemy trenches. We are plunged first hand into a conflict like no other as, amid the greatest clash of empires ever known, the future of the world hangs in the balance...The Adventures in Time series brings the past alive for twenty-first century children. These stories are every bit as exciting as those of Harry Potter or Matilda Wormwood. The only difference is they actually happened...
It is 1914, and Joey, a farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of World War I on the Western Front. When Joey is dragged away, his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he is forced to leave behind.
In the army the beautiful red-bay horse is trained to charge the enemy, drag heavy artillery, and carry wounded soldiers not much older than Albert off the battlefields. Amongst the clamoring of guns, and while plodding through the cold mud, Joey wonders if the war will ever end. And if it does, will he ever find Albert again?
Travel through the tumultuous years of World War I: from the rise of the new German Empire to the signing of the peace treaty. Walk alongside the key players and nations that fought across diverse battlefronts, from the trenches of Verdun to the shores of Gallipoli.See the maps redrawn and read about the human experiences that reshaped Europe and paved the way for a new world.
Artifacts are objects made or used by people in the past.
WHAT ARE ARTIFACTS
They can be anything from tools and clothing to letters and photographs. When we study artifacts from World War I, we get a glimpse into what life was like over 100 years ago.
Soldier Helmets
During World War I, soldiers needed protection from shrapnel and debris. Different countries designed their own helmets.
The British wore the Brodie helmet, which looked like a shallow bowl, while German soldiers often wore the Pickelhaube, a helmet with a spike on top (early in the war). These helmets show how quickly technology had to improve to keep soldiers safe.
LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS
Before phones and email, soldiers wrote letters home to their families. These letters are some of the most meaningful artifacts we have.
They tell us about the emotions soldiers felt—hope, fear, loneliness, and love. Reading these letters helps kids understand that history is about real people, not just dates and battles.
Military Gear and Uniforms
Soldiers carried heavy packs filled with gear like canteens, mess kits, blankets, and sometimes gas masks. Their uniforms were designed for tough conditions in muddy trenches.
Looking at these items helps kids imagine what daily life was like for a soldier.
Medals and Badges
Medals were awarded for bravery, service, and sacrifice. Each medal has a story behind it. Some were given for acts of heroism, while others were recognized for time served.
These artifacts remind us of the courage shown during difficult times.
Propaganda Posters
While you might think only the soldiers themselves were affected by WWI, life at home was also deeply affected by World War I. Families had to make sacrifices to support the war effort.
One important artifact from this time ispropaganda posters- bright, eye-catching signs that encouraged people to help in different ways.
Some posters asked families to grow their own food in “victory gardens,” while others reminded people to conserve supplies like sugar, meat, and wheat.
Children played a role, too. They helped collect scrap metal, saved food, and even planted gardens. Women took on new jobs, working in factories to produce uniforms, ammunition, and medical supplies.
These changes were a big shift from daily life before the war and show how everyone contributed, not just soldiers.
WORLD WAR 1 HANDS ON IDEAS
- This WWII idea still goes hand in hand with WWI ideas, How to Make an Easy Anderson Shelter World War II Activity Craft.
- Learn How to make a World War 1 helmet.
- Try this World War 1 Word Search to familiarize your child with WWI terminology.
- World War I & II History Toys For Kids that Make Learning Exciting
Now it’s time to bring history to life with a fun and simple activity.
EASY PARACHUTE JUMPER CRAFT
While parachutes were still developing during World War I, they became more widely used shortly after. This craft introduces the basic idea of how parachutes work while giving kids a hands-on experience.
I found this cool articulated soldier toy at Dollar Tree and thought it was perfect for this project, but you can use a wooden clothespin for weight, a LEGO minifigure, or any other little figure you have.
You will need:
- Plastic grocery bag or lightweight fabric
- String (4 equal pieces)
- Small toy figure or clothespin
- Scissors
- Tape
Cut a large square or circle from the plastic bag; 12×12 is a good, manageable size. This will be your parachute canopy.
Cut four equal pieces of string 12” long.
Tape one string to each corner of the parachute.
Gather the loose ends of the strings and tie them to your small toy or clothespin. Try to keep the strings as close to the same length as possible. Securing them on the toy soldiers’ arms like this gives you a good balance.
To launch your parachute, pinch the top of the bag and pull it up to a point like this.
Fold the bag in half, and then fold the strings along the bag.
Toss it up into the air and watch it float down.
If your figure becomes tangled, just carefully untangle and try again; you will get the hang of it quickly enough.
Encourage kids to experiment: What happens if you make the parachute bigger or smaller? What if you change the weight of the jumper? Use different materials for the parachute? These questions turn a simple craft and history lesson into a fun science investigation.
