How to Honor Memorial Day with Your Kids

Meaningful Memorial Day activities for kids

Reflecting on Memorial Day

Memorial day is not about sales, or summer starting, or parades. It’s about all those who have sacrificed for us and who continue to sacrifice by being in the military. So many times we forget to have a meaningful memorial day (guilty for sure). Therefore, I’m sharing how to honor memorial day in a meaningful way with your kids.

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how to honor memorial day on white background with usa flag

What is Memorial Day?

Before we get to the activities, let’s talk history. It’s not a subject I loved in school, but it’s important to remember why we have these days. So, what is Memorial Day? Memorial day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971 (history.com).


How to Honor Memorial Day with Meaningful Activities

These activities are entered around Memorial Day, but really, they can be done any time of the year. So many of us are home a lot right now, and with the summer approaching, take time to reflect with these activities any point during the year, not just on Memorial Day.

1. Read a Book

First up, read a book with your kids about the holiday. Or, find a book about America in general. I mean, this is always a good idea, right? Right. And there are some great kids books that may help explain to your kids the importance of a meaningful memorial day.

Read a book about Memorial Day for a meaningful activity with your kids
Read a book about Memorial Day for a meaningful activity with your kids

2. Send Something Overseas to a Soldier

There are many items that our soldiers need overseas and there’s plenty of great ways to send them. Check out the organization Just our soldiers helpers (or JOSH) for what to send and how here.

Let your kids choose from the list what they want to send and include a drawing from them as well. Let them go with you to mail it so they can see how it’s done.

Send a letter to a soldier for a meaningful Memorial Day activity
Send a letter to a soldier for a meaningful Memorial Day activity

3. Adopt a Soldier

If you and your kids loved sending something to a solider, then why not adopt one? There are programs that simply require that you send weekly letters to your soldier. Check out Adopt a US Solider for more info.

Adopt a soldier for a meaningful Memorial Day activity
Adopt a soldier for a meaningful Memorial Day activity

4. Learn About Another State

One thing I hate doing is buying kids toys, I pretty much never do it. I either get them an activity, or I will buy things when we travel. I think it’s so very important to know about the world around us. Things are different in different places and understanding that can help with so many of the world’s problems. That’s why, this next idea is one of my favorites. Teach your children about other states. Let them learn about traditions there, what they like to eat. We should definitely all know more about the country we live in and then the world around us.

This Scholastic USA game is too cute for learning about the states.

Learn about the 50 states with this USA Game
Learn about the 50 states with this USA Game

5. Join a Parade

Kids love parades right? Talk to your kids about why we have a parade and what it represents.

Join a Memorial Day parade
Join a Memorial Day parade

6. Put Flags Out

Another activity that is going to be cancelled in a lot of areas is putting flags out. There are several organizations that put flags out in neighborhoods and at gravesites.

This is something to definitely keep in mind to do with your kids. Make it fun for them by having them find the house or the gravesite and then place the flag there.

Teach them what the flag means and what it stands for. This year, instead of joining an organization, simply put a flag out at your house and have the same conversations with your kids. Find an outdoor American flag here.


7. Make Learning a Game

Finally, this last idea you can teach your kids the history of Memorial Day with this puzzle I created. Just print and play. Download the game seasonally in The Printables Club.

Play a Game with your kids for a meaningful activity.
Play a Memorial Day Game with your kids for a meaningful activity. Download seasonally from The Printables Club.

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