With temperatures heating up across the country, it is the sign that the official precursor to summer is here! Monday, May 27, 2024, we will all celebrate Memorial Day. Are you looking for some fun things to do with your little ones? Well, check out our list below as we have got you covered with things to do to celebrate Memorial Day!
But before you start planning what do for the holiday, let’s remember why we are celebrating. According to History.com, it is unclear where exactly this tradition originated; and some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.
Yet, in Waterloo, NY, on May 5, 1866, the community hosted its annual event where businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flags and flowers. In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, NY as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
Now that we know why it is important that we continue the tradition of celebrating Memorial Day, let’s take a look at our list of some fun activities to mark the holiday!
1. Attend a Memorial Day Parade
Parades are fun for the entire family! You can attend one in person or tune-in to your local television stations to watch what is going on in your town or in Washington D.C. You can enjoy the National Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. at 2:00 PM ET.
2. Hit the pool, beach, or lake
Almost everyone is planning to beat the unseasonably warm heat this Monday by taking a dip in some body of water. Whether you hit the pool, beach, or lake, make sure to follow water safety instructions so that you can truly have fun and enjoy. If you do take a trip to the lake or river, consider going on a tubing adventure where you can just lay back, relax, and let the waters move you!
3. Listen to a veteran’s stories and say “thank you” for their service
If you have a veteran in your family, talk to them about their time in military service. Listen to what they have to say and ask questions. There is nothing more valuable and educational than listening to firsthand accounts of those who have served our country. And don’t forget, make sure to let them know that you are thankful for their sacrifice.
If you don’t have a veteran in your family that you can chat with in person, don’t fret, you can visit the Library of Congress’s The Veterans History Project to discover firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who have served from World War I through present-day conflicts and beyond.
4. Have a traditional backyard barbecue
Get the family together, fire up the grill, turn up the music, and have a traditional backyard barbecue! There are many Memorial Day themed dishes that you can incorporate into your family’s cooking in order to pay homage to the day.
5. Create a flag sidewalk mural
This is an activity that kids of all ages can get behind! Find a spot where the mural can be admired by many, grab some chalk, and let the kids have some fun. They don’t have to stop there. In addition to the flag, they can add all kinds of patriotic symbols such as the Statue of Liberty, stars, etc. There is no limit to patriotic imagination.
Didn’t find anything on our list that will be a perfect fit for you and your family? Click here for more ideas.
Happy Memorial Day!
Photo: Canva.com; Pixabay.com/iStock
