In May 2025, schools across the UK will be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day – a major historical milestone and a valuable opportunity to engage pupils in learning about World War II, remembrance, and British history.
At Mrs Mactivity, we’ve created a wide range of VE Day resources for KS1 and KS2, designed to help you plan thoughtful and engaging lessons and whole school events. Whether you’re organising a themed assembly, a 1940s-style celebration, or classroom-based learning, our VE Day activities for primary schools can support every aspect of your planning.
Explore the full collection of VE Day resources and get access today.
Why celebrate VE Day in primary schools
VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) marks the end of World War II in Europe on 8th May 1945. For children today, the 80th anniversary of VE Day is a unique moment to explore the past through meaningful and accessible activities. It’s also a chance to come together as a school community to celebrate peace and progress.
Our VE Day classroom activities are designed to spark curiosity, build knowledge, and bring history to life – helping pupils understand the past in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. Whether you’re planning a single lesson or a full day of themed learning, we’ve got everything you need to make the 80th anniversary of VE Day truly memorable.
VE Day ideas for schools – how to celebrate the 80th anniversary
1. Whole school VE Day assembly
Kick off your celebrations with a VE Day assembly for all year groups. Use our engaging VE Day assembly PowerPoint to introduce key facts, videos and discussion points. It’s the perfect way to set the tone and get pupils thinking about the significance of the day.
2. Host a 1940s-style street party
Create a festive atmosphere with a school-wide VE Day party. Encourage children to come dressed in 1940s fashion or in red, white and blue. Set up long tables for lunch or snack time outdoors, and use our VE Day bunting and display decorations to transform your space.
3. Run a VE Day-themed history day
Devote a full day to teaching VE Day in primary school with cross-curricular learning ideas that bring the topic to life. Our VE Day resources include:
- Writing templates to support letters, diary entries or information reports
- Timeline and fact files for teaching key historical events and concepts
- Display resources and posters for visual learning and classroom immersion
- Medal and colouring resources including bunting and more!
4. VE Day classroom displays and learning walls
Create interactive displays using our VE Day fact cards, timeline posters and writing templates. These visual elements help reinforce key concepts and celebrate the children’s work.
5. Invite families or local veterans to join in
If possible, invite relatives, veterans or members of the local community to talk about wartime experiences. This helps children make real-life connections to the events they’re learning about.
VE Day resources for KS1 and KS2
Our VE Day teaching resources are suitable for children across the primary age range and include:
- KS1 VE Day worksheets and writing prompts
- KS2 VE Day lesson ideas and discussion materials
- Bunting, posters and commemorative templates
- VE Day 2025 assembly PowerPoint
