Look, I’ll be the first to admit it: keeping kids entertained on a holiday that isn’t entirely about them can feel like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree. You want them to have fun, but you also don’t want them to grow up thinking Memorial Day is just the unofficial start of summer and an excuse for dad to burn hot dogs on the grill.
I’ve been there. My son once asked me if Memorial Day was the day we celebrate mattress sales. I’m not kidding. That moment was a serious reality check for me. We have to do better, right?
So, I’ve rounded up 12 activities that actually hit that sweet spot: they’re engaging enough to pull the kids away from their screens, but meaningful enough that they might just learn something about why we have this long weekend in the first place. No stuffy history lectures here, I promise.
1. Write Letters to Deployed Troops
This is my absolute favorite way to bridge the gap between “day off” and “thank you.” Kids might not fully grasp the concept of sacrifice, but they do understand making someone feel good.
Why This Works
It turns an abstract concept into a tangible action. Instead of just talking about soldiers, they are directly connecting with them.
How to Do It
Grab some construction paper and crayons. Have the little ones draw pictures of sunshine, American flags, or really terrible-looking dogs (my personal favorite). Older kids can write actual letters.
Pro tip: Keep the message positive. These letters are going to people far from home. We want to send them a slice of normal, happy life, not a reminder of what they’re missing.
There are a bunch of organizations that facilitate this, but I usually use A Million Thanks or Operation Gratitude. They have specific guidelines, so check their websites first. It takes ten minutes, and the impact lasts forever.
2. Create a Memorial Day Sensory Bin (For the Littles)
If you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers, you know that sitting still for a history lesson is about as likely as me turning down a slice of chocolate cake. Impossible.
What You’ll Need
Grab a plastic bin and fill it with:
- Blue and red dyed rice or pasta
- Star-shaped cookie cutters
- Small plastic army men
- Miniature American flags
- Some red, white, and blue pom-poms
Let them scoop, pour, and play. While they’re digging for army men in the red rice, you can casually mention that we have soldiers because they help keep us safe. It’s a low-pressure way to introduce the theme. Honestly, it buys you about 20 minutes of quiet time, which is a Memorial Day miracle in itself. : )
3. Visit a Local Veterans Cemetery or Memorial
I know, I know. Taking kids to a cemetery sounds like a recipe for chaos. But hear me out. It doesn’t have to be a long, somber affair.
Making It Age-Appropriate
Frame it as a place of honor. Explain that it’s a special park where we remember heroes.
The “Find a Hero” Game
Turn it into a quiet scavenger hunt. Ask them to find the oldest veteran (look at the birth year on the headstone), or the youngest. Find a soldier who served in a specific war. It gives them a mission and makes them actually look at the names and dates. It always sparks questions, and that’s exactly what we want.
4. Host a Backyard “Hero Obstacle Course”
Want to burn off that pre-dessert energy? Turn your backyard into a military-style obstacle course.
Setting It Up
Use what you have:
- Run laps around the garden.
- Crawl under picnic tables or strings tied between chairs (keep it safe, folks).
- Do five “soldier push-ups.”
- Carry a stuffed animal (“wounded soldier”) to a designated safe zone.
The Connection
After you’re all tired and sweaty, sit down with some water and talk about how military training is even harder than that. It gives them a tiny glimpse into the physical toughness required. Plus, it’s hilarious watching dad try to crawl under the toddler slide. 😉
5. Bake (and Decorate) Flag Cookies
Food is the way to everyone’s heart, right? This is less about gourmet baking and more about the process.
The Activity
Make a batch of sugar cookies or grab some pre-made ones from the store (no judgment here). Whip up some vanilla frosting and separate it into three bowls. Dye one red, leave one white, and dye the last one blue.
Let the kids go to town decorating. They’ll learn the proper pattern of the flag (great for a quick history lesson on what the stripes and stars represent) and you’ll get a tasty treat at the end.
Warning: There will be more frosting on faces and fingers than on cookies. Just roll with it.
6. Watch a Patriotic Movie (With a Critical Eye)
Movie night is easy, but we’re not just sticking them in front of the TV to zone out.
Movie Suggestions
- For younger kids: Yankee Doodle Dandy or even Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (it’s about helping friends, which is a form of service!).
- For older kids: The Sands of Iwo Jima or Taking Chance (if they can handle the heavier themes).
The Engagement
Sit with them. Ask questions. “Why do you think that soldier did that?” “How would you feel if you were far from home?” It turns passive watching into active learning. It’s way more effective than a textbook, IMO.
7. Make a Care Package for a Local Veteran
You don’t have to send things overseas. There are veterans living in our communities that could use a pick-me-up.
What to Include
- Thank you notes (from activity #1!)
- Non-perishable snacks
- A small plant or flowers from your garden
- Socks (seriously, they always need socks)
Where to Take It
Check with your local VA hospital or a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post. Call ahead and ask if they have a specific veteran in mind who might appreciate a visit or a package. It teaches kids that honoring people isn’t just about the past; it’s about the present, too.
8. The Pre-Grill History Pop Quiz (Fun Edition)
Okay, “pop quiz” sounds scary, but I promise this is fun. It’s more of a conversation starter while dad is struggling to get the charcoal lit.
Sample Questions
- “Why do we fly the flag at half-staff until noon?”
- “What’s the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?” (This stumps adults too, FYI.)
- “Can you name one of the Armed Forces branches?”
Turn it into a game. Whoever gets it right gets the first burger (or the biggest s’more later). If they don’t know the answers, look them up together on your phone. It’s a low-key way to correct that “mattress sale” misconception.
9. Plant a “Patriotic” Container Garden
Get your hands dirty. Head to the hardware store (or raid your mom’s garden) and pick out some red, white, and blue flowers.
Great Flower Choices
- Red: Geraniums, Salvia
- White: Alyssum, White Petunias
- Blue: Lobelia, Ageratum
Let the kids arrange them in a pot. As you dig in the dirt, talk about how planting something new represents growth and hope for the future. It’s a subtle metaphor, but a beautiful one. Plus, it makes your front porch look festive for the whole week.
10. Listen to the Music of the Era
History is memorized, but music is felt. Crank up some speakers in the house or car.
What to Play
- WWII-era Glenn Miller or the Andrews Sisters.
- Vietnam-era protest songs (for older kids, to start a conversation about how wars are complicated).
- Modern patriotic country hits.
Ask them what they think of the music. It’s usually so different from what they hear today that they either love it or think it’s hilarious. Either way, they’re hearing it. I love blasting “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” while we clean up after lunch. It just makes the day feel bigger, you know?
11. Fly the Flag Properly (And Learn Why)
If you have a flagpole, or even just a small flag on the house, get the kids involved in raising it or hanging it.
The Lesson
Teach them the rules:
- It should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- It should never touch the ground.
- Why we fly it at half-staff until noon.
Giving them the responsibility of making sure the flag is correct gives them ownership over the day. It’s a small act of respect that feels very grown-up to them. My kids fight over who gets to be the “Flag Monitor,” which is a fight I never thought I’d have, but I’ll take it over fighting about who stole whose toy.
12. The “Moment of Silence” Challenge (It’s Harder Than It Sounds)
At 3:00 PM local time, there is a National Moment of Remembrance.
The Challenge
Ask your kids to sit in total silence for just one minute. No talking, no screens, no nothing.
Why This is Fun
It’s actually really hard for kids (and us!). Frame it as a challenge: “I bet we can’t be quiet and think about the heroes for a whole minute. Ready, set, go!”
After the minute is up, talk about what it felt like. Did they think it was long? Did they think of anything specific? It’s a simple, powerful way to unite your family with millions of others across the country in a shared moment of respect.
So there you have it. Twelve ways to actually do something on Memorial Day besides just shopping sales and eating hot dogs (though, let’s be real, we’ll probably still do that too).
The goal here isn’t to create a somber, tear-filled day. It’s to weave threads of understanding and gratitude into the fun. If your kid remembers that one time we wrote a letter to a soldier, or that we planted red flowers for the Army and blue ones for the Navy, then you’ve won.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go hide the marshmallows from my son before he eats the entire bag before dinner. Happy Memorial Day, everyone.
