Memorial Day is coming up and we all know that it’s more than just another three-day weekend for a backyard barbecue, but a chance to reflect on those who gave their lives in service to our country. If you’re looking for some ways to do that with the kids, we’ve gathered a dozen kid-friendly ways for your family to commemorate the holiday together. Read below for ideas on how to display your national pride, educate your kids about how we honor the fallen, give back to veterans their families, and celebrate life.
1. Read a book about the holiday together, like these 10 picture books and middle grade books.
2. Attend a local Memorial Day ceremony or event, such as Carry the Load’s Dallas Memorial March held Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29, 2023. Find more events at dfwchild.com/calendar.
3. Create a patriotic chalk art display or decorate your front porch or patio in red, white blue. Leaning toward decorating your driveway or sidewalk? Take some inspiration from Fort Worth chalk artist Jan Riggins and her daughter Olivia.
4. Teach your kids how to the fly the flag and proper Memorial Day flag etiquette: half-staff from sunrise to noon for those who died in wars, and then full-staff for the rest of the day to honor living veterans and those still fighting for our country. If the flag is tattered or otherwise not in good condition, don’t just throw it away. Find a VFW hall near you that accepts flags for proper disposal.
5. Get creative with printable Memorial Day coloring pages.
6. Create a deployment care package with letters, crafts and/or notes for active military members, and mail through a reputable organization.
7. Make an America-themed dessert to share with neighbors. If you’re in need of inspiration, check out these four tasty Memorial Day dishes, including red, white and blue fruit popsicles.
8. Make in-kind donations—of new blankets, clothing (sweatpants, sweatshirt and T-shirts, socks and undergarments for men and women), hygiene items, puzzles under 500 pieces—to your local veteran’s hospital, such as the Dallas VA Medical Center, located at 4500 S Lancaster Road. But be sure to call the hospital first to make sure they’re able to accept and have a current need for particular items.
Or support the VA North Texas Fisher House, which provides free living suites to family members and caregivers, of hospitalized Veterans and military members. See their Amazon wish list here.
9. Pay your respects at a veteran’s cemetery, such as Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas near Mountain Creek Lake, about 15 minutes west of downtown.
10. Donate flowers through the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation, to be laid on graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
11. Watch the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 28, 2023, at 7pm Central on PBS or livestreamed.
12. Make a donation to military families through the National Military Family Association or Wounded Warrior Project.
Tell us how you spend Memorial Day by emailing us at editorial@dfwchild.com.
Image: iStock
