Honor and Celebrate: Memorial Day Ideas and Activities for the Family

Picture yourself as a youngster, sitting roadside in a lawn chair, holding a poppy as the Memorial Day Parade passes by.

While parades remain an honorable way to commemorate our fallen service members, there are other ways to enjoy the long weekend and celebrate Memorial Day with your kids. 

Observed annually on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is a federal holiday (officially recognized in 1971), dedicated to honoring and mourning those who passed away in service to our country. 

Explore our guide for Memorial Day ideas and activities with something for everyone, whether you want to spend time outside or teach your children about the holiday with crafts. 

1. Weekend road trip 

Memorial Day is the first long weekend leading into summer—the perfect time for a quick getaway. Whether you want to go camping, stay in a cabin, or hang out in a hotel, you can drive to a nearby city or town to celebrate Memorial Day.

While you're there, scout out veteran-owned businesses to shop or dine at to honor those who served. Or, if you have a veteran relative in the area, spend the weekend with them.

2. Write a letter

Children and parents alike can honor service members by writing letters. For this Memorial Day idea, have your kids write letters to people they know who served in the armed forces (or the family members of the fallen), such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or close family friends.

If you don't have anyone in your circle who has served, that's okay, too! Send your children's letters to A Million Thanks, which will send them to active or veteran soldiers on your behalf.

3. Classic barbecue cookout 

When you think of Memorial Day, one of the first things that might pop into your head is a barbecue or cookout.

Whether you just want to have a backyard hang or a larger get-together at the park, you can easily usher in summer with this fan-favorite Memorial Day activity, spending time with all your favorite people. 

Bring along all your outdoor games, including:

• Basketball
• Disc golf
• Bean bag toss
• Tennis
• Ladder toss
• Lawn darts

Make sure to stop by your go-to grocery store in advance to round up all your favorite grilling foods, refreshing drinks, and tasty desserts (or use Instacart if you're in a pinch). Don't forget to use RaiseRight gift card for your purchase to support your favorite organization while you're at it!

4. Decorate a soldier's grave with flowers 

Honor a family member, friend, or another veteran at the cemetery with flowers. You can place red, white, and blue flowers or single roses at their grave to salute them for their service.

If you can't reach the cemetery, you can still send flowers. Donate to The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation, and they'll place them for you.

5. Make a poppy pin 

Poppies signify remembrance on Memorial Day, and many wear them over the weekend. While you can purchase a poppy pin, turning it into a Memorial Day art project can help your children learn about the day's significance.

Grab some red and black tissue paper, a stapler, and a pin back, then check out these instructions to get started.

Don’t have any tissue paper on hand? Head to an arts and crafts store like Michaels to purchase supplies. Then, gather the whole family to create their own poppy pins to celebrate Memorial Day. 

6. Attend a Memorial Day parade 

As mentioned earlier, going to a Memorial Day parade is a great way to honor active and retired soldiers, and many cities host them. You and your kids can see local groups, veterans, and marching bands during this classic Memorial Day family activity. Wear red, white, and blue to commemorate the occasion.

If the weather turns sour or you can't attend a parade, you can watch the National Memorial Day Parade on TV. 

7. Bake Memorial Day treats 

Sweets are always a welcome treat, and during Memorial Day Weekend, you can use this opportunity to honor veterans. For this family-friendly Memorial Day activity, ask your children to help you make goodies like: 

• Cookies
• Cupcakes
• Ice pops
• Three-tiered cakes
• Cake pops
• Pies

Decorate the dessert with white icing and red and blue sprinkles, then share with relatives and friends. Even better? Take a batch to a veteran's or active soldier's family!