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Month of the Military Child

Honor the brave and resilient children of military families this Month of the Military Child - join us in showing them love and support!

Thursday

1–30

April 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAll of April

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYYouth

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to honor and appreciate the resilience and sacrifices of military children during the Month of the Military Child, which starts on April 1. This month-long celebration was first established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, as a way to recognize the important role that military children play in supporting their families' service to our country. From enduring frequent moves and separations from loved ones, to adapting to new environments and schools, these brave kids truly deserve our recognition and support. So let's take this month to show them some extra love and appreciation!

TIMELINE

Month of the Military Child Timeline

Establishment of the Month

The Month of the Military Child was first established by Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger to honor military children.

Increased Attention Post 9/11

Following the events of 9/11, public attention and support grew towards military families, amplifying the significance of the Month of the Military Child.

Purple Up! Initiative

The "Purple Up! For Military Kids" initiative began, encouraging people to wear purple to honor and support military children.

Military Children's Education Concerns

Congress holds hearings addressing concerns about the quality and consistency of education for military children due to frequent relocations.

Expansion of Purple Up! Initiative

The "Purple Up! For Military Kids" initiative grows to a global scale with activities in U.S. military installations worldwide.

Virtual Celebrations in Pandemic

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, celebrations for the Month of the Military Child move to virtual platforms, promoting online recognition and support.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Month of the Military Child

Create a care package for a military child

Gather some small gifts, snacks, and handwritten notes of appreciation, and put together a care package for a military child. This is a thoughtful way to show support and bring a smile to their face.

HOST

Host a game night for military families

Organize a game night for military families in your community. This is a great way to bring families together and have some fun while also showing support for their sacrifices.

CREATE

Create artwork or write letters for deployed parents

Encourage children to create artwork or write letters for their deployed parents. These heartfelt messages can be a source of comfort and joy for military children during their parent's absence.

ATTEND

Attend a parade or event honoring military families

Check your local community for parades or events honoring military families during the Month of the Military Child. Attending these events is a great way to show your support and appreciation for their sacrifices.

DONATE

Donate to organizations supporting military families

Research and donate to organizations that support military families, such as the National Military Family Association or Operation Homefront. This is a meaningful way to give back and show your gratitude for their service.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Month of the Military Child is Important

It provides resources and support for military families

During this month, organizations and communities come together to provide resources, activities, and support for military families. This can include educational events, family fun days, and counseling services. Month of the Military Child helps to create a network of support for these families and ensures that their needs are recognized and addressed.

It brings awareness to the sacrifices military children make

Month of the Military Child is a time to recognize and honor the sacrifices that military children make. They have to deal with frequent moves, deployments of their parents, and other challenges that come with being part of a military family. It's important to acknowledge and support these children for everything they go through.

It highlights the strength and resilience of military children

Military children often have to adapt quickly to new environments and handle difficult emotions when their parent is deployed. Month of the Military Child celebrates their bravery and strength in the face of these challenges. It also serves as a reminder that they are an important part of our military community.

Related holidays

Military Family Month

Honor and support our brave military families during Military Family Month - they sacrifice so much for our country, let's show them our gratitude!

Purple Up Day

Let's show our love and support for military families on Purple Up Day by wearing purple and spreading awareness!

National Day of the Deployed

Honor those who serve and remember the sacrifices of our deployed military with National Day of the Deployed - join us in showing our appreciation!

National Children’s Month

Let's make the most out of National Children's Month by spreading love, joy, and compassion to all the little ones in our lives!

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