World Freedom Day is celebrated each year on November 9 — a day that marks one of the most important moments in modern history: the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Berlin Wall once divided families and friends in Germany, separating the city of Berlin into East and West for nearly three decades. When the wall finally came down, people celebrated with tears, hugs, and hope. It became a powerful symbol of freedom, unity, and peace — a reminder that when people work together, walls can come down in more ways than one.
World Freedom Day reminds us that freedom is more than a word — it’s a shared value that connects people across the world. For teachers, it’s a meaningful opportunity to introduce students to the idea of peace, fairness, and human connection. Even young learners can begin to understand that freedom means kindness, respect, and the right to be together and share ideas.
To celebrate World Freedom Day, you can help your students learn more about Germany — its people, traditions, and history — through fun, hands-on learning. Here are three resources to make that journey come alive:
Germany Fact Booklet
Your students will love discovering Germany through this fun, age-appropriate fact booklet! From fairy tale castles and soccer (football) to the smell of fresh pretzels, children can explore the culture and landmarks of this beautiful country. Perfect for independent reading, small group work, or centers, this resource helps students learn about Europe, geography, and world cultures while developing research and comprehension skills.
German Cultural Centers and Activities
Turn your classroom into a mini trip to Germany! Students can decorate a luggage case, fill it with stamps, stickers, and maps, and complete creative projects like designing a German T-shirt or postcard. They’ll also love participating in write-the-room and count-the-room activities, learning key vocabulary along the way. A perfect resource for a cultural fair or “Around the World” unit, this pack builds excitement and global awareness through play and creativity.
How to Draw Germany – Directed Drawing
Spark creativity with a directed drawing experience! Students will follow step-by-step directions to draw famous German landmarks and symbols such as the Brandenburg Gate, Alps, castles, flags, and apple strudel. Each drawing comes with three levels of writing prompts, making it easy to adapt for different learners. This activity builds listening, fine motor, and following directions skills while giving kids a wonderful sense of pride in their artwork.
5 Fun Activities for World Freedom Day or a Germany Unit
Create a Classroom “Wall of Unity – Have students write ways they can bring people together on paper bricks, then “tear down the wall” to show that kindness connects us all.
Passport to Freedom – Give each child a paper passport and “stamp” it as they visit different German-themed stations or centers.
Pretzel Counting and Pattern Activity – Use pretzel shapes for counting, sorting, or pattern-making — a fun math tie-in!
German Castle Craft – Let students design their own fairy tale castles using cardboard or construction paper.
Freedom Lanterns – Create colorful paper lanterns decorated with words like peace, hope, and unity to symbolize light overcoming division
5 Wonderful Children’s Books to Pair with Your Lesson
1. The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sís - A moving picture book that helps children understand what life was like before the Berlin Wall came down.
2. Hansel and Gretel by Rachel Isadora - A classic German fairy tale retold with beautiful illustrations — great for discussing folklore and storytelling.
3. Learn about Germany by Meontrip – A fun read for kids on the population, weather, flag, and much more about Germany.
4. Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming - Based on a true story about kindness and friendship between American and Dutch children after World War II — perfect for discussions on generosity and connection.
5. The Book of Gold by Bob Staake - A beautifully illustrated story about curiosity, discovery, and the power of learning — tying in the value of freedom through knowledge.
World Freedom Day is a beautiful reminder that walls can fall and bridges can be built — both in history and in our hearts. By teaching children about Germany’s journey and celebrating global cultures, we inspire empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Your students will love exploring, drawing, and creating with your Germany Fact Booklet, German Cultural Centers and Activities, and How to Draw Germany resources — the perfect trio for a meaningful celebration of World Freedom Day!
All resources may be found in my TPT store:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher
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