April is Month of the Military Child, and if you’re part of the military community, you already know these kids deserve every bit of recognition they get, and then some.
Military kids didn’t sign up for this life. They didn’t raise their hand and say, “Yes, I’d love to move every two to three years, change schools, make new friends, say goodbye to the old ones, and do it all with a parent who might be deployed at the same time.” They just woke up one day and that was their life. And most of them handle it with a kind of grace that honestly puts the rest of us to shame.
So this April, let’s make it count.
What is Month of the Military Child?
Month of the Military Child has been observed every April since 1986, when former Secretary of Defense, Caspar Weinberger, designated it as a time to recognize the unique sacrifices military children make and the strength they bring to their families and communities. The color purple is used to represent all branches of the military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, Reserves, and National Guard. “Purple Up” has become the rallying cry for showing your support ever since.
These kids are strong. Flexible. Resilient. Courageous. Brave. Not because it was easy, but because they didn’t have another option, and they rose to it anyway.
Free Wallpapers for You (and the Military Kids You Love)
I created a set of six free phone wallpapers just for Month of the Military Child, and I want you to have them. We’re talking purple checkers with hearts, “Purple Up” bold type, purple rainbows, dandelions with “Bloom,” affirmation words, and the “Proud Military Brat” pattern. They are all in shades of purple and designed to be saved, shared, and set as your lock screen all April long (and beyond too!)
These are completely free. Grab them here, share them with military families you know, and pass them on.
Ways to Show Up for Military Kids This April
You don’t have to buy anything to make a military kid feel seen. Here are some genuinely meaningful ways to show up:
💜 Wear purple. The whole point of Purple Up Day (usually recognized by the Department of Defense as April 15th) is to visually show military kids that the people around them see them and appreciate what they carry. Whether it’s a full purple outfit or just a purple accessory, it matters more than you think.
💜 Say something. If you know a military kid, tell them you see them. Tell them they’re brave. Tell them the friendships they’ve built across the country are something most people never get to experience. A few words from an adult go a long way.
💜 Share on social. Post your purple. Use the wallpapers. Share this post. The more visible the recognition, the more military kids feel like the community around them actually knows what their life looks like.
💜 Ask a military kid about their life. Not in a pitying way — in a genuinely curious way. Where have they lived? What’s their favorite base? What’s the hardest part? What’s actually been kind of cool? These kids have stories worth hearing.
💜 Support military-connected small businesses. Especially this month. We’re out here, we see you, and we’re making things specifically for your family.
Shop for the Military Child (and the People Who Love Them)
If you want to do a little something extra this April, my shop has several pieces made specifically for Month of the Military Child and military kids in general. Here are a few favorites: The “Proud Military Brat” t-shirt and long sleeve is exactly what it sounds like — a purple shirt that lets military kids wear their identity with pride. Available in youth and adult sizing. The “Military Children Bloom Where They Are Planted” rainbow t-shirt features a hand-lettered design with a purple-inspired rainbow and hand-drawn flowers. It’s one of my personal favorites because it captures the whole thing in one image — the constant replanting, and the blooming anyway. The “Seen. Known. Loved.” t-shirt was designed specifically for military kids. Because that’s what they need to hear. Available in team purple on a Bella Canvas tee. The “Purple Up for the Military Child” flag shirt is a clean, classic design featuring the phrase on a flag — available in adult sizing and a range of styles with over 4 dozen customization options. The Dandelion Flag Purple Up shirt features two crossed dandelions with a flag design — a nod to the way military kids scatter like seeds and find new ground wherever they land. And if you want something smaller, there are water-resistant military-themed stickers available, and these include a rainbow floral design, the “Purple Up for the Military Child” flag sticker, and more, making them perfect for water bottles, laptops, or just about anything. 👉 Shop the full collection here.
To wrap this up, I want to address every military kid that might be reading this:
You are seen. You are known. You are loved. The life you’re living — the moves, the goodbyes, the starting over — it’s shaping you into someone remarkable. We see you this April, and honestly, we see you every single day.
Purple up. 💜