This May marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day)
This was a momentous day in history when, on May 8th, 1945, the Second World War ended in Europe. After a brutal 6 years of war, hardship, rationing, and living in constant fear, it finally ended. Streets across Britain erupted in joy as families celebrated. As part of the Allied victory, this day represents relief and a remembrance of the sacrifices made by millions.
At Marvellous History, we believe it’s important to help children understand both the significance and the emotion behind historical events. VE Day isn’t just about Union Jacks and street parties it’s about courage, endurance, and coming together as a nation.
As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025, here are five creative and meaningful ways to bring this history to life in the classroom
VE Day Teaching Ideas for the Classroom
1. Recreate a 1945-Style Street Party
Transform your classroom into a wartime street party! Children can design bunting, listen to wartime music, and even enjoy ration-style snacks (like corned beef sandwiches or Victoria sponge).
Encourage them to dress up in 1940s-style clothes for the full effect.
Learning: Discuss how and why people celebrated, and what these celebrations meant after years of war.
2. Letters from the Past
Ask children to write letters as if they were alive on VE Day, perhaps as a soldier returning home.
Learning. This helps build empathy and narrative writing skills
3. Create a VE Day Time Capsule
Have students choose items
(drawings, ration books, diary entries, photos) That would represent VE Day to someone opening the capsule 80 years from now.
Learning: This promotes critical thinking about legacy and memory in history.
4. Decode a Wartime Message
Introduce the idea of Morse code or simple cipher codes used during the war. Create a classroom challenge where students decode a message.
Learning: Encourages problem-solving and introduces the role of communication in wartime.
Please find a link to this activity: https://marvelloushistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/WW2-Censorship-and-Propaganda-A-Letter-Home.pdf
5. Invisible ink!
The danger of getting caught meant certain death. Many thousands of resistance operatives were caught and killed over the course of the war. If you wanted to get information back to Britain, you’d better make sure it was well disguised. Then if the Nazis found it, they would not understand what it was, nor where it came from.
Learning: Encourages historical analysis and builds media literacy skills.
Link to activity: https://marvelloushistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Top-Secret-Invisible-Ink-and-Codebreaking-Activities.pdf
Lest we forget
As time moves on, fewer people remain who remember VE Day firsthand. It’s more important than ever to ensure that younger generations understand what the day meant, not just as a military victory, but as a deeply human experience. Through creativity, empathy, and engagement, we can make history feel real and relevant for today’s learners.
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