Memorial Day is quickly approaching and is the unofficial start to summer. Most Americans are excited to get outside to barbecue. However, it's more to Memorial Day than family gatherings. The holiday became official on May 5, 1868, and it’s now celebrated nationwide on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor people that have served in the military and lost their lives. Memorial Day is an important holiday and is a good time to introduce our nation’s history to your preschoolers. Below is a list of activities you can do with your children as a family in honor of Memorial Day.
Celebrate with a Parade. Visit vetfriends.com to find a parade near you. Or, watch the National Memorial Day Parade on television. You can get really creative and make your own parade. Grab some flags, play some patriotic music and march around the room.
Decorate your front porch or patio in red, white and blue. Make your own decor using recycled materials you have at home.
Make some Memorial Day Foods.
Patriotic Yogurt -Have vanilla yogurt and top with strawberries and blueberries
Graham Cracker Flag- First, make a batch of red frosting and blue frosting, by mixing food coloring. Have children spread each color of frosting onto a graham cracker.
BJ had more fun eating the fruit and decided not to make a flag using it. That's ok, too!
DJ loved his flag and discovered he liked blueberries!
Memorial Day Books
Read a book about the holiday together. Below are the Youtube Links to read along online.
The Wall by Eve Bunting (ages 5 and up)
F is for Flag (ages 4 and up)
Hero Dad (ages 3 and up)
Memorial Day Surprise by Theresa Golding (ages 6-9)
Flag Etiquette -Teach your kiddos 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.
Make a Service Member's Day
Have your children create a card and mail them to your local Veteran’s Hospital. Alternately, send a care package for a veteran or active military member. Make a donation to military families through the National Military Family Association
Sing patriotic songs
Create some patriotic crafts and lessons:
Star Sticker Sorting
USA Windsock- Glue white foam star stickers onto blue construction paper and roll into a cylinder shape. Provide red and white streamers (or construction paper).
Red, White, and Blue Star Wreath- Use a paper plate as a base for a patriotic wreath. Cut out the center of the paper plate. Provide red, white and blue stars and glue stars onto plate to make a patriotic wreath.
Paper Chains- Make red, white, and blue paper chains to decorate the room.
American Landmarks- go online to view Washington Monument, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery(big kids).
15 Incredible Monuments That Honor American Soldiers Also supervise children while going online. Older children can cast their cell phone or mobile screens onto a TV for you to monitor as well.
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