Cards
E-cards for Mother's Day, Father's Day
Send your deployed Mom or Dad an e-card for Mother's Day or Father's Day. Link also
includes other themed e-cards.
Troops in Touch TM Cards - Pre-printed interactive activity postcards by Create My Gift
The child receives each card from deployed parent (like a little gift) to color, connect the dots
or maze. Then the child completes the "art", puts it in an envelope and sends it back to the
parent, furthering communication by sharing the accomplishment --one card at a time.
Troops In Touch cards are 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches, ready to address and with space for the
deployed parent to write a short note. Packaged in resealable plastic bags in sets of 10,
they include an assortment of general designs as well as those for holidays & celebrations.
You choose boy or girl sets. New sets are available throughout the year with changing
seasons, holidays and general subjects.
____________________________________________________________________
Countdown ideas for deployment
Countdown calendar (Her War, Her Voice)
I have found this calendar a great way for my young children to count down the return of their
Papa. It can be done in many creative ways. This is a picture of the most basic...
Countdown calendar (Huggalo)
Download this countdown calendar to mark off the weeks until you and your hero are together
again!
Deployment countdown ideas (On The Way Home)
This blog lists a number of creative deployment counter ideas to consider.
____________________________________________________________________
Dog tags, military coins, etc.
This is a grassroots effort to show our support for the troops and their families. We tried to think
of something we could send Dad or Mom that they could easily send back to their kids. This is something easy to ship and something the kids can hang on to until Dad or Mom gets back home.
Military brat dog tags and military brat coins available in each branch of service. Crest of the military wife is also available for purchase.
Sells plush uniformed teddy bears, military brat dog tags and various branches of service Brat coins.
Sells plush uniformed teddy bears, army brat dog tags, "My Dad Fights for our Freedom" coin.
Sells We Serve Too! (Be Strong and Courageous!) dog tags and We Serve Too! (We just make the best of it) dog tags.
____________________________________________________________________
Fabric Family
Fabric Family
Fabric Family was developed during the wildly successful Flat Daddies phenomena. Fabric Families were created as a way for children and loved ones to give deployed service members a unique, inexpensive, and versatile life-size family photo. A big familiar image, which they can keep with them at all times and hang wherever they are, to make their space feel closer to home.
____________________________________________________________________
Flat Brat
Flat Brat TM
Flat Brat TM was developed as a joint effort by Benita Koeman and Beth Allen to bring another colorable project to military kids to help them through deployments. Beth is a military supporter and the creator of Troops In Touch interactive postcards and Benita is a military wife, founder of Operation We Are Here, and creator of Brat Town Bugle: A Publication of Non-Recruits in Big Boots.
They developed Flat Brat TM to be gender and race neutral, and specific to military children (aka military brats), something that would help bridge the gap between the deployed parent and military child.
____________________________________________________________________
Flat Daddies, Flat Mommies
Flat Daddies, Flat Mommies
Flat Daddies and Flat Mommies are life-sized printed posters (waist and up) of parents who are actively serving overseas in the military. Flat Daddies were created as a way to help younger children and families stay connected to their loved ones serving extended periods of time away from home. To make your own Flat Daddy or Flat Mommy, visit www.imalreadyhome.com.
____________________________________________________________________
Flat Stanley
Flat Stanley
The basic principle of The Flat Stanley Project is to connect your child, student or classroom with other children or classrooms participating in the Project by sending out "flat" visitors, created by the children, through the mail (or digitally, with The Flat Stanley app). Kids then talk about, track, and write about their flat character's journey and adventures. Although similar to a pen-pal activity, Flat Stanley is actually much more enriching-students don't have to wonder where to begin or what to write about. The sender and the recipient already have a mutual friend, Flat Stanley. Writing and learning becomes easier, flows naturally, and tends to be more creative. This is what teachers call an "authentic" literacy project, in that kids are inspired to write of their own passion and excitement about the project, and given the freedom to write about many things through the rubric of the Flat Stanley character.
Templates include Drill Sergeant Stan, Captain Stella...
____________________________________________________________________
Grants for sports, fine arts, tutoring programs
Our Military Kids (National Guard/Reserve)
If you or your spouse are in the National Guard or Reserves and are deployed overseas, Our Military Kids can help pay for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs for your children.
____________________________________________________________________
Hero Helpers - Lifesize cardboard person
Hero Helpers - Lifesize Cardboard Cutout of your Military Service Member
LifeSizeCustomCutouts.com have launched a special program for military families with a loved one currently deployed on active duty. As a special way to thank our armed forces, we would like to announce the arrival of Hero Helpers.
Hero Helpers are life size cardboard cutouts made from any picture you send in. We know how hard it is having a loved one be away for prolonged periods of time, and wanted a way to show our appreciation for their sacrifice.
____________________________________________________________________
Hero Packs
Hero Packs (Operation: Military Kids)
Hero Packs serve as a tangible expression of support for Military Families from their communities and OMK Partners. Hero Packs are filled by non-military youth and community organizations with mementos and items designed to help keep military kids connected with their deployed parent. They are a way to hand-deliver a salute to military children and youth for their strength and sacrifices while parents are deployed. A Hero Pack project involves local non-military youth groups and/or community organizations in a valuable community service effort that demonstrates thanks and support from their peers in the community.
____________________________________________________________________
Homecoming Box
Homecoming Box - We Serve Too
The Homecoming Box concept was developed by Kathleen Edick and Paula Johnson (authors of We Serve Too!, We Serve Too! 2 and The Homecoming Box child deployment and reunion books). It has three purposes:
- The deployed parent knows you are collecting memories on their behalf
- The spouse and children have an ongoing project that causes them to think about their loved one in every situation
- Another benefit is that when a child wants the deployed parent there, and is not consoled by words, the search for the best possible symbol for the box allows the child to actively do something to preserve the memory.
The website has downloadable instructions to create your own Homecoming Box. Also has accompanying instructions to create your own Tear Bottle.
____________________________________________________________________
Horseback riding sessions
Operation Free Ride (Horses for Heroes)
An opportunity to ride a horse for free!
Operation Free Ride is a program that offers weekly, hosted or sponsored horseback riding sessions that are free for every member of their family! This program serves military families with a deployed family member, as well as families who have a family member with a disability or serious illness. While our program is not able to serve the needs of the developmentally disabled or those with serious or terminal illnesses, we invite the other family members to enjoy the distractions and benefits to body and soul that only a day with horses can provide.
Operation Free Ride is just one of the programs that help Horses4Heroes fulfill its mission to make horseback riding affordable for, and accessible to, the families of the heroes in our community including, but not limited to: active duty military personnel, Veterans, law enforcement officers, fire fighters/EMTs, critical care and hospice nurses and others.
____________________________________________________________________
Internet activities
Real time activities with deployed parent
MyChildMyMilitary.com allows you to read interactive books, play games and do activities with your child in real time from anywhere in the world. The site allows users to see and hear one another while they read books, play games and do art activities together -- all in real time. Free for military families.
Sesame Street Family Connections
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) in collaboration with Sesame Street Workshop recently unveiled the "Sesame Street Family Connections" website. This interactive website -- similar to the social networking site Facebook -- allows Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families to stay connected in a safe and nurturing environment surrounded by their favorite Sesame Street friends.
It's a private place where only the family and friends you invite can post messages, create and share artwork, upload photos and record videos.
____________________________________________________________________
Journaling
Deployment Kids
This website has journaling ideas to get kids started in journaling about their parent's deployment.
Deployment Journals
____________________________________________________________________
Kids coping with deployment
Jocelyn Green
Jocelyn Green, military wife and author of Faith Deployed has some great ideas military parents have submitted that helped their children cope with deployment.
Sarah Smiley
A great collection of reader-submitted tips and ideas about dealing with deployments and military life for families of the armed services.
____________________________________________________________________
Kissing Pillows
Kissing Pillows (I Love You) - USA
These hand-stitched little pillows are designed to be used as a keepsake for the children and loved ones left behind by the Soldiers departing for service of the United States of America. The Soldier should kiss the pillow and give one to each of his or her loved ones to hold onto until he or she returns form war. The pillows also can be given to those who are being deployed and know that they are filled with hugs and kisses from their loved ones and from those of us who care and made them for each Soldier. We hope the pillows will be a comfort during the lonely times for both the Soldier and the families. The Evergreen Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America.Inc. has lovingly stitched numerous of these pillows with gratitude for your service to our country.
____________________________________________________________________
Mentoring by big brother/big sister, foster grandparenting
Council of Dads
Bestselling author Bruce Feilerwas a young father when he was diagnosed with cancer. Worried about his daughters, he asked six men to form a “Council of Dads” to help guide them through their lives. This site is designed to help you do the same, whether you're sick or well, male or female. Reach out to your friends. You'll be glad you did!
Foster Grandparent Program
An intergenerational initiative that gives foster grandparent volunteers the opportunity to share a lifetime of experience with today's children and youth while remaining active in the community.
Operation Bigs - Military mentoring (San Diego, CA)
Children with a parent in the military, including a deployed parent, face unique challenges that may include separation and loss in addition to the stresses of military life. To help provide the additional support these children need, Big Brothers Big Sisters has established a program called the Military Mentoring Program. It joins children of parents in the military with Bigs who are in the military, retired or civilian.
San Diego is home to 800,000 active and retired military personnel and their dependents, the largest population in the US. In an effort to serve this population more effectively, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County designed the Operation Bigs program, which provides mentors to children of military families through Big Brothers Big Sisters' School/Site-Based program.
San Diego is home to 800,000 active and retired military personnel and their dependents, the largest population in the US. In an effort to serve this population more effectively, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County designed the Operation Bigs program, which provides mentors to children of military families through Big Brothers Big Sisters' School/Site-Based program.
____________________________________________________________________
Newspaper
Brat Town Bugle: A Publication of Non-Recruits in Big Boots
Brat Town Bugle is a free, downloadable newspaper to help bridge the gap between home front kids and their geographically separated parent. 40+ pages to choose from!
____________________________________________________________________
Patriotic crafts
Kids Thank A Vet
There are many patriotic crafts that are fun and easy to do. Here are some suggestions that can be done for special holidays or whenever you feel patriotic.
Making Friends - Camouflage Friends
Camouflage Paper Doll "Friends"
____________________________________________________________________
Photo quilts
Operation Kid Comfort
ASYMCA’s (Armed Services YMCA) Operation Kid Comfort is designed to address the emotional stress that children of military personnel suffer during a parent’s absence from home. Operation Kid Comfort provide free quilts for children six and under and pillows for children age seven and up. ASYMCA volunteers collect photographs from military families to make “photo-transfer” quilts that feature images of the deployed family member. Photographs of the deployed parent are scanned into a computer, printed, and placed onto the fabric. The quilt is then given to the child to play with, sleep with, or use to comfort them from the grief of missing their deployed parent.
____________________________________________________________________
Pillows, pillowcases
Deployment pillow case/pillow (My Pillow Partner)
Hold him in your arms while he's away. Wouldn't it be great for you and your children to have a body pillow to keep you warm and cozy while your Soldier is away? My Pillow Partner sells a Deployment Pillow case (purchase pillow separately on their site) with a photo of your Soldier.
Remember Me Pillow (All Ribboned Out)
In March 2008 my husband headed off on his fourth deployment. In the past they've been relatively short 3-4 months. This deployment, however, was set to last 7 months. As my husband left and I worked on curtains for my teenage girls' room I thought about making them matching pillows. As I thought some more I wondered about putting their Dad's picture on the pillows so that he would be close to them during the deployment. From that idea I made each of my children a "pillow" with their Dad's picture on it. In order to personalize them for each of the children I backed them with a material of their choosing and added a matching ribbon. From there the Remember Me Pillows were born.
My hope is that each Remember Me Pillow brings as much comfort to the child (or spouse, parent, niece, nephew, girlfriend) that receives them as my children got from them during his last deployment.
Each Remember Me Pillow is about 12 inches high and 4-5 inches wide depending on the photo sent. I will personalize each "pillow" with a fabric backing of your choice. I have many, many fabrics to choose from. On the bottom of your pillow I will add a ribbon to match the fabric backing. This is great to use as a handle to carry it around or for those little ones who love the "tag" on things.
Sweet Dreams Picture Pillow
The Sweet Dream Picture Pillows are available to the children of any family whose father or mother is on active duty and will be absent from their family for at least three months. All pillows are provided at no charge! We do ask for a contribution to pay for shipping and handling after you order your pillow.
____________________________________________________________________
Puzzles
Hero Puzzles
Send us your favorite photo and we'll send you a hand crafted children's peg puzzle.
____________________________________________________________________
Reading
Also visit this LINK for an exhaustive listing of books for military children and teens.
A Story Before Bed
Record yourself reading a story to your children! A Story Before Bed is giving away 250,000 FREE RECORDINGS to parents (aunts, uncles, etc.) in the U.S. Armed forces who are deploying or already deployed away from their children for any amount of time.
Readeo - See, hear and read with each other even when you're far away!
Ages 0-8Readeo was founded in 2009 by CEO Coby Neuenschwander while living in Chicago with his son Oliver. Because of the distance between Oliver and his grandparents, they were having trouble establishing a meaningful relationship. Visits only happened a couple of times per year, phone calls were inadequate, and video chat alone didn’t hold Oliver’s attention. Reading together became the vehicle for establishing and strengthening the relationship between grandparent and grandchild.
Today, Readeo is a patent-pending product that combines the best children’s books with high-quality video chat to create a shared reading experience called BookChatTM where people can see, hear, read and interact with grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and others—just as you would if you were in the same room. Readeo allows families to connect and interact in a meaningful way—even when they may be far apart.
United through Reading
The United Through Reading® Military Program helps ease the stress of separation for military families by having deployed parents read children’s books aloud via DVD for their child to watch at home.
This powerful program is available to all deploying military units and at select USO locations. It provides parents a chance to make powerful and lasting connections with their children and parent from afar.
____________________________________________________________________
Reading - Create your own book
A Heart Apart (by Melissa Seligman, Christina Piper)
website (ages 4-8)
Too often, the focus is on the uniform. On the one serving. But what of the countless children who have served silently, over and over again, through sustained deployments? Where are their news stories and accounts of bravery? What about medals for their sacrifice? Their time spent, waiting?
Our book is different in that it encourages children to create and share their own unique stories, upload their own photos then share it with their deployed parent overseas.
Each deployment is different. And each military child is special. Taking the time to celebrate each child’s uniqueness is essential in helping our war children on the road to healing and recovery. Each picture uploaded is a window into their hearts, and if a picture is worth a thousand words, these children have volumes to tell.
These children serve bravely and repeatedly. They deserve the opportunity to share their story, honor their struggle, and salute their victory. Every hero should be celebrated. And we have written A Heart Apart to celebrate and honor the very warriors we admire most: our own children. Free copy for service member with each purchase. Also available - free downloadable activity sheets to complement the book.
MyOwnStory.com - Where your child becomes the star of his or her own story
With MyOwnStory, caregivers can create customized children’s books for special situations in a child’s life. Our stories were prepared under the careful guidance of educators, doctors, and child development specialists. Our collection of stories covers subject matter that is significant to children and their families, such as having a new baby in the family, the first day of school, going to the dentist, moving to a new city and many more. Once you customize these stories, they are yours to save, print and enjoy for years to come. The stories, Daddy is in the Military and Mommy is in the Military, are FREE.
Over There Activity Book (Daddy version, Mommy version)
Here is an opportunity to create your own Over There children's book! Download the PDF (either the mommy version or the daddy version, depending on which parent is deployed), print it out, and attach photos that represent the spirit of the text. If you and your child are feeling extra creative, you can even draw your own illustrations. Do whatever feels right to capture your family's unique deployment story. After completing the book, keep it on hand and read it to your child as often as each of you would like.
Tikatok
Creating a book with Tikatok is a simple and fun way for you and your child to express imagination and creativity.
1. Write your story.
2. Add pictures.
3. Order your book (hard cover, soft cover, or e-book download)
You're Never Far Away (by Jan Krystkowiak)
Where in the World Books, created by children’s author Jan Krystkowiak, are personalized children’s books that incorporate the child’s name into the story and photos with state of the art print technology.
You’re Never far Away is a book customized for the deployed Servicemen and written with deployment in mind.
This is a personalized photo book for a child who knows someone in the military. The child's name is in the story and cleverly implemented into the photos. Children feel the story is written only about them. See the look on their faces as they see their name in a cereal bowl, in fireworks, and much more. 26 pages with your child's name in the story over 24 times, plus your child's name on the cover!
____________________________________________________________________
Reading - Recordable books
Dayspring
Recordable Storybooks from DaySpring feature exclusive voice-capture technology that enables a person to record each page of a book and have it played back over and over as the recipient turns the pages. The recording will not be lost, even when the batteries need to be replaced.
The original books were designed for an adult to read to a child. Subsequent titles also are perfect for adults and children to record together or for children to record for a grandparent.
Recordable Storybooks are available at Christian retail stores nationwide. Use the store locator on DaySpring.com to find your nearest Christian retail store.
Hallmark
Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybooks allow someone like a parent or grandparent to “read” a book to a child, even when they cannot be present. The Recordable Storybook features voice capture technology, recording the reader’s voice, which is captured within the book. When a child turns a page, the book automatically plays the text on that page in the reader’s voice. Hallmark Recordable Storybooks are great alternatives for out-of-town grandparents, parents in the military, or parents who travel on business who still want to “read” to their kids from across the miles. Some titles include: The Night Before Christmas, All the Ways I Love You, and Bright and Beautiful.
Hallmark also sells Conversations To Keep TM - recordable interviews. This fun, together-time activity
is filled with open-ended questions that spark imaginative answers only kids can give. Titles include: Dad & Me, Mom & Me, Grandma & Me.
____________________________________________________________________
Recordable key chains
Talkatoo
Welcome, oh fab little button recorder. Designed for kids (yet hip for parents), it comes as a necklace or as a clip-on charm for backpacks, lunchboxes, purses or even belt loops. Just press the little button to record a message, then the big one to hear it back (repeat as desired). Fun to wear, fun to share. From silly to sentimental, it's perfect for whenever you're apart. 30 seconds of recording time. Lockout switch protects messages.
____________________________________________________________________
Something to hug
Amy Sews
Battalion Buddies
http://opgrat.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/battalion-buddies-supporting-the-children-of-deployed-troops/
Having already shipped more than 600,000 care packages to service men and women deployed in combat zones, Operation Gratitude is pleased to announce the launch of “Battalion Buddies” — a new program designed to serve and encourage the young children of deploying troops.
In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude will begin providing special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.
U.S. Military: We are happy to send the Battalion Buddies to all the children of a deploying or deployed unit upon request from the rear detachment and/or family readiness officer. Please have the command contact us at BattalionBuddy@gmail.com so we can make arrangements directly with them for a shipment. (At this time, we do not have the resources to send the Buddies to individual children.)
Battle Buddy Bear (Soldier Inspired)
Bear Forces of America
U.S. Air Force Bears, U.S. Army Bears, U.S. Coast Guard Bears, U.S. Marine Corps Bears, U.S. Navy Bears, plus accessories. Size/styles include large, mini, plush and even a gorilla mini bear.
Big Plush
Big Plush sells military teddy bears and monkeys, small, large, and well, super-sized! Some are 6 ft. tall!
Blanket Battle Buddy (Her War, Her Voice)
Tee shirt blankets - I cut up one of my husband’s shirts and one of his uniform jackets. I used fabric and pockets from the uniform to create special places for them to insert photos, letters, or special secrets to their daddy. The fabric crawled. I ran out of thread three times. The ACU uniform was frustrating. The sewing was far from my best. Jagged stitches. Completely less than perfect. But, the absolute delight and snuggled babes made it worth every ounce of my time. Now, I want to cut up all his shirts to make more!! Directions included to make your own Blanket Battle Buddy.
Build-A-Bear Workshop
At Build-A-Bear Workshop®, our mission is to bring the Teddy Bear to life. An American icon, the Teddy Bear brings to mind warm thoughts about our childhood, about friendship, about trust and comfort, and also about love. Can customize with voice recordings and military gear.
Camo Joe, Camo Flo (Huggalo's Brave Little Trooper)
I'm a Brave Little Trooper.
I hold a photo of the hero you love,
Whenever you miss them,
Just give me a Hugg!
When missing someone you love is hard, Brave Little Troopers make it a little softer. Inside every Brave Little Trooper is a Hero. These dolls help keep the hero you love close to your heart.
Huggalo Dolls has teamed up with The Soldier's Project, a non-profit that provides psychological support to returning troops and their families. For every Brave Little Trooper purchased, Huggalo Dolls donates 20% of the proceeds to The Soldier's Project. Additionally, you can choose to donate a Brave Little Trooper and we will send the doll you donate to a military child with a parent on active duty.
Chantilly Lane
Sells singing American Heroes bears.
Cuddletunes Bears
The Cuddlebear keeps military families connected and close - even through deployments around the world. We understand the amazing sacrifice Military families make to serve and protect our country. Time away and moves across the country can make it a challenge to stay close to those you love. Cuddletunes gives your family a way to send loving messages, read stories and even sing kids to sleep anytime, from anywhere through our durable, soft teddy bear.
It's easy - create a Cuddletunes account online to make your own beautiful and very personalized "soundtrack". Your favorite small child can use the bear to fall asleep to every night - or play with and learn from during the day! New songs and recordings can be quickly and easily added to the bear any time.
The bear is a plush and snuggly 9.5 inches tall, with a specialized MP3 player and speaker built inside. It holds hours of content and has a soft, durable exterior. Buttons sewn into the feet make it easy for even the youngest children to find their favorite "tracks".
Cuddly, military bear by Military Apparel Co.
Simply pick your genuine Military fabric and let Artist Kathy craft you Cuddly, our Military Bear. Outstanding detailed craftsmanship: 5.5 hours of work goes into the bear! This bear has safety eyes so it is a great kids for little...and big kids :) 17 inches from head to toe.
Visit our EMBELLISH YOUR CREATIONS section to add embroideries, tapes, dog tags and so much more...
Daddy Dolls
Daddy Dolls was started by military spouses that found that children needed tangible things to hold during a deployment.They will print your soldier's picture on a doll, pillow case, teddy bear's shirt, dog tags, etc., and send it to you.
Deployment Dog (Green Sugar Bean)
Grammy's PotLuck Creations
Huggee Miss You Doll
Sells digi-camouflage doll with recordable or non-recordable options for children of deployed parents.
Hugs Bear by Hero On My Arm
The one and only Hugs Bear! He or she can be made with either your uniform our our new camo fabric.
Im With You Doll
When you can’t be there in person, give them the next best thing. A plush, squeezable, lovable fleece doll with YOUR FACE! Whether you’re a deploying soldier, a far-away grandparent, or just down the hall, leave an Im With You Doll in your place. They’ll sleep better, and so will you! Send us your face photo, and we’ll make an Im With You Doll for when you:
- Are missing a deployed soldier
- Live far from your children’s grandparents
- Travel and can’t see your kids every day
- Miss the love of your life
Freeze anyone in time! Send us your face photo so we can create an Im You Doll to comfort you.
Iva GotYa TM, by Noellas Gifts
Children of deployed soldiers can take this very special keepsake with them everywhere. Each ‘Iva GotYa’ has a clip and gift tag attached, with To and From fields for personalization. The tag reads: “When I can’t be there… Just give Iva a squeeze, it’s a hug from me; hear me say, you’re okay, and always know… Iva GotYa”.
It is a cute way for soldiers, parents, grandparents, and friends to remind the children left behind that they love them. The more they receive, the more they see everyday how much we care.
Designs available for boys and girls, young and old, including camouflage. For ages 5+, including 50+! Shipping via USPS Priority Mail; APO/FPO addresses welcome.
Memory Teddy Bear (Kittnbear218)
Military Cuddle Bear (The VanVolkinburgs)
Military Cuddle Bear with keepsake pocket. Made special for those hard times when you just want to hug your service member. Currently in Air Force, Army, Marine and Navy Camo Fabric but you can make special requests and I can try my best to fulfill it. This bear sits up 20" tall and has a special keepsake pocket on the back. You can chose the color of the ribbon or no ribbon. Also chose the button color for the eyes.
Martha's Crafts & Things
Minky Puppy (Ginger Peachy Kids)
The small Minky Puppy is made from your used uniforms. The main body and face will be made from the uniform. The accent will be made from the Minky fabric color of your choice. It is 9" inches long from the nose to the base of the tail. The name tape or velcro can be sewn on the puppy's back..
Motley Heart
My Daddy My Hero
Sells custom military stuffed animal puppy ANY military branch, deployment animals.
My Hero Photo Bear
The My Hero Photo Bear is a perfect plush companion for children with deployed parents. The plastic sleeve on the bear's stomach allows a small photograph to be inserted so children can keep a picture of their hero close.
Operation Give a Hug
Operation Give a Hug is a non-profit, all-volunteer program to help comfort military children by giving them special dolls, often referred to by children as their daddy or mommy doll. Each doll provides a place to put the photo of the deployed parent and gives a child a tangible way of relating to that parent.
Operation Hug a Hero
Give a little homeland security. The mission of Operation Hug-A-Hero® (OHAH) is to help comfort the children of our American Heroes working valiantly in support of our nation’s homeland security by providing them with a free Hug-A-Hero® doll. The vision of Operation Hug-A-Hero is to provide a Hug-A-Hero doll to every child, regardless of need, of a deploying or fallen military service member and those who support our nation’s homeland security efforts in a proactive and timely manner.
Operation Pillow Pets
Get your Military Mascot Pillow Pet! Available in Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy.
Petunia and Sweet Pea's Shop (owl tooth fairy pillow, cloud plush toy)
Hand stitched Plush Military Owl Tooth Fairy Pillow - This cutie is perfect for the child with their own military hero. I use authentic military issue. If your child has their own personal hero and you would like their owl created from the hero's military clothing, you may send that to me. Using the hero's own ACUs, or BDUs camo uniform, the owl is a personal memento of heroism, commitment and duty. The tooth/money pocket on the back is the actual pocket from the top/blouse. These are also wonderful during deployment, just have the hero write personal notes to the child and add it to the pocket for a special communication. a
Military Cloud Kid Plush Toy in ACUs - A sweet cream felt Cloud Kid with ACU Digital Camo on the back. The ACU camo and pocket are from an authentic Air Force jacket. Big double button eyes twinkle in the light. The legs and arms are braided from authentic military t-shirt. They are perfect for grabbing onto and taking this new friend everywhere your child goes. This plump cutie is filled out with polyester stuffing.
The Dabby Project
Dabby longs to be the companion of children of deployed service women and men. Dabby's story evolves as she meets new friends in new places! You can volunteer to be a host family for Dabby or her friends.
Trooper Dog, Brisky Bear puppets
The Trooper Dog puppet is modeled after the Trooper Dog character from The Adventures of Brisky Bear & Trooper Dog, a product line made specifically for supporting kids in military families. It’s about 12 inches long and has space for a hand to move the arms and head. The My Hero Trooper Dog puppet can be a great accessory to care packages for youth child programs.
The Brisky Bear puppet is modeled after the Brisky Bear character from The Adventures of Brisky Bear & Trooper Dog, a product line made specifically for supporting kids in military families. It’s about 12 inches long and has space for a hand to move the arms and head. The My Hero Brisky Bear puppet can be a great accessory to care packages for youth child programs.
Troop Paws
Thank you in advance for your support of our brave military personnel. We are so excited to offer you this one of a kind, completely authentic dog that comes complete with a pocket to put a photo of your loved one in. Whether it’s for you, a family member, a friend or a stranger, it makes the perfect gift.
Two's A Charm
We recycle military uniforms and turn them into purses, backpacks and totes! Take a look at the acu teddy bear.
Uniform Accessories Unlimited
Sells plush uniformed teddy bears, army brat dog tags, "My Dad Fights for our Freedom" coin.
US Deployment Dolls
US Deployment Dolls is is a family business that has created special dolls for our military children for a lifetime of keepsakes. Our dolls are specially customized for anyone facing challenging separation from their loved ones. These Deployment Dolls will ease anxiety our children are faced with with when mommy or daddy are temporarily away or deployed overseas. Each doll is customized with their loved ones face, matching combat duty outfit, custom nametags, and a 20 second heart voice recorder to bring our little ones strength, courage and comfort. Our dolls are perfect for big people too. Mom missing her young son or daughter at war, wife or girlfriend to cuddle with, most perfect for our Fallen Warrior families so we never forget.
Vermont Teddy Bear
Sells a 15" camoflauge teddy bear, desert camo with t-shirt bear and military bear.
With You All the Way! Dealing with Deployment Kit (Trevor Romain Foundation)
The With You All the Way! Deployment Kit is designed to support families with children ages six years and older that have a family member deployed with the US Military. In addition to the With You All the Way! Dealing with Deployment DVD, created by The Trevor Romain Company in collaboration with the USO, the kit is filled with resources that help and comfort military children and their families.
- The With You All the Way! Dealing with Deployment DVD
- A Writing Journal with prompts, calendar, map, and activities
- The With You All the Way Caregiver Booklet
- A set of 10 Postcards featuring original art work by Trevor
- Cuzzie™, a friend offering support to children
- Imprinted Dog Tags
- All housed in a Cuzzie Cargo Case to keep treasured items safe while your loved one is deployed.
____________________________________________________________________
Tear bottle
We Serve Too
The Tear Bottle concept was developed by Kathleen Edick and Paula Johnson (authors of We Serve Too! and We Serve Too! 2 and The Homecoming Box child deployment and reunion books) to accompany The Homecoming Box. How does the Tear Bottle work? Take one "tear", write or draw a representation of the event that brought the tears to the surface on your special strip of paper or ribbon. Drop the tear and the description into the bottle....
The website has downloadable instructions to create your own Tear Bottle. Also has accompanying instructions to create your own Homecoming Box.
____________________________________________________________________
The big picture
The Big Picture (Mail yourself to Daddy or Mommy)
Here is a wonderful idea for kids - trace around them so they can send themselves to their Dad or Mom. Details in this blog post by Camo-N-Kids, the creators of the We Serve Too! books.
____________________________________________________________________
T-shirt
We Serve Too! TM t-shirt
A fun and practical craft for Red Shirt Friday!
Download complete instructions and images to print, cut-out and iron onto your own t-shirt using inkjet transfer paper you buy at your local craft or fabric store. Here's a picture of our own We Serve Too! Kids modeling the shirts they made using Devon's artistic talent.
(These two kids made their shirts to honor their deployed dad at an American Military Family sponsored Honor Rally at Fort Carson on a Red Shirt Friday in April 2012. They thought you might like to make and wear your own shirts--a gift from Devon and Landen and the rest of us here at We Serve Too!™)
Continued...
Other helpful links:
Free coloring pages and activities to download:
Military children and teens
Deployment (or military separation) resources
____________________________________________________________________
To be directed to the complete listing of MILITARY CHILDREN AND TEENS resources, click HERE.
Click on the topics below to learn more about:
Resources specific to
- Military supporters
Military community resources
- Christian encouragement
- Deployment support for
- Downloads and printables
Operation We Are Here
Follow us on
resources
Copyright 2008 - 2013 Benita Koeman, Operation We Are Here. All rights reserved.
Operation We Are Here is a HUB of RESOURCES for the military community and military supporters.
Military support is not a concept to embrace; military support is sacrificial action. Visit our military support TOOLKIT.
