It’s easy for adults to become involved in Memorial Day activities, since we understand the importance of the holiday. It will help children to learn about the day if you use Memorial Day activities in which they can participate.
If your children are old enough, they will be more interested in the meaning of Memorial Day. They should be able to understand the sacrifice of our military members. With older children, you can discuss how countries act and react when there is conflict.
Children’s Memorial Day Activities
Even if your children don’t have a full grasp on Memorial Day, they can commemorate the day with you. Here are just a few things children can do with you:
• Display the flag outside your home.
• Decorate the graves of family members who have passed with flags and flowers.
• Bring cookies or doughnuts to your local VA hospital.
• Participate in parades and other community events.
• Serve a red, white, and blue dessert after lunch.
• Wear red white, and blue.
• Make patriotic crafts and speak with your children as they are creating them.
• Read a patriotic story to your children.
Other Ways to Share Memorial Day
Before bedtime, have your child share a moment of silence with you, to remember people who have died. There is a National Moment of Remembrance in many areas.
If your children are old enough, go online with them and read names of military members who have passed away, says Enchanted Learning. Sadly, there are too many names to read them all, but at least your children will be able to understand that the people who died were protecting their country and your family.
If you take your children to a parade with you, teach them to stand respectfully as the US flag passes by, and to stand and applaud veterans as they march by.