Dandelion Book
Launching on Dandelion Day – Friday 4th April – “Dandelions” is a brand-new book from Little Troopers’ resident author, Donna David. The book follows the story of a military child who is about to move home and learns all about why the dandelion is the official flower of the military child – strong, resilient and putting down roots wherever the wind takes it. Ideal for children aged eight to eleven, Little Troopers will be giving away 100 copies throughout April.
School Pack and Dandelion Day
Schools can now download the brand-new Little Troopers “Month of the Military Child School Pack”. Education settings are encouraged to hold their very own ‘Dandelion Day’ on Friday 4th April where students can come into school wearing something yellow to signal the school’s recognition and inclusion of military children. The Little Troopers school pack features new activities and classroom ideas to engage service and civilian children, as well as tips on involving the local military community in the special day. You can download the pack to share with your child’s school here.
At home activities
Families are encouraged to celebrate the Month of the Military Child at home by exploring the charity’s list of fun, dandelion-themed activities, which include painting, mask-making, playdough, baking and crafting. Get creative and share your photos online.
Events
Little Troopers is running events throughout April, bringing together as many military children as possible.
- 5th April - Online interactive science workshop hosted by Devon Science. Sign-up here.
- 13th April - Tidworth 10K and Family Fun Run. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the Month of the Military Child while raising crucial funds for Little Troopers. There will also be entertainment and family activities throughout the morning for military families. Find out more and register here.
- 16th April - Little Troopers will be returning to the Royal Hospital Chelsea to host an intergenerational workshop during the Month of the Military Child. The event offers forces families the unique opportunity to meet and spend time with the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. Anyone interested in attending can now register here.
- 26th April – Online interactive bake-a-long workshop with CookStars. Sign-up here.
As well as giving away 100 copies of the new Little Troopers Dandelion Book, the charity will have lots of other giveaways for families that are signed-up to the charity’s newsletter.
The spring edition of the Little Troopers Gazette will also be available to request for free towards the end of the month. The newspaper will be packed with articles written by current military children, as well as featuring activities and ideas to mark this special month in the military calendar.
Louise Fetigan, founder of Little Troopers, comments: “Little Troopers is a charity that ensures military children from all three services are recognised, included and celebrated. That’s why we always have a busy calendar of events and activities during April the official Month of the Military Child, so that wherever you live, you can get involved in the celebrations with your little troopers.
“2025 is set to be a really special April and we hope lots of schools and families get involved in our new Dandelion Day and read our special new book. We also hope to see lots of you in-person at our Tidworth 10K and family fun run! Let’s all take time this month to show all the little troopers out there just how amazing they really are.”
For more information and to get involved visit www.littletroopers.net/month-of-the-military-child