What do people normally do for Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer. It’s a time for families across the country to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military.
While traditions may vary, many people mark the holiday with backyard barbeques, flag displays, local parades, and time spent with loved ones. Memorial Day offers the perfect opportunity to teach kids about gratitude and military history while creating meaningful memories.
If you’re looking for new ways to celebrate this year, you can find fun, thoughtful, and patriotic Memorial Day family activities to bring your family closer together.
From creative ideas and outdoor parties to some of the best travel destinations and patriotic moments of remembrance, these ideas help honor the true meaning of the holiday while making lasting memories.
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How do you and your family celebrate Memorial Day?
Families across the country celebrate Memorial Day in many ways – by honoring our fallen heroes with patriotic displays, enjoying cookouts with classic American foods, getting creative with themed crafts or writing thank-you notes to veterans, and often traveling to visit family, attend Memorial Day events, or explore historical sites.
Check out even more fun ways to celebrate. Whether staying home or hitting the road, there’s something meaningful and fun for every family to enjoy this Memorial Day.
Patriotic Memorial Day Family Activities
Attend a Memorial Day parade
Watch local bands, veterans, and floats march by in honor of fallen heroes. These parades typically take place early in the morning on Memorial Day. They usually end with a service honoring our military with speeches, a prayer, or a gun salute.
Our local parade ends with a service that names military members who passed away the previous year. This can be a great way to connect with your community and show your children a special way to honor our service members.
Visit a veteran’s memorial or cemetery
Show your respect by visiting the final resting place of those who served. Arlington National Cemetery holds a special Memorial Day ceremony where you can spend time reflecting on the lives of military personnel who have sacrificed so much for this country while visiting the graves of soldiers.
If you don’t want to travel to Arlington, you can choose to visit a local cemetery. Most cemeteries place American flags on the graves of soldiers, so they will be easy to identify.
Place flags or flowers on veterans’ graves
Teach your kids a simple act of gratitude by taking part in the tradition of placing flags on veterans’ graves. Contact your local American Legion to inquire if you would like to assist with placing these flags for these brave men and women.
If you can’t find an organization that needs your help, you could always take some Memorial Day flowers to be placed on the graves of these soldiers. If you have someone who served in the military, you can start by simply putting a flag or flowers there and thanking them for what they’ve done.
Watch a patriotic movie
Enjoy a meaningful movie that celebrates American history. Whether you’re looking for a realistic film or something more dramatized, these movies will show you the experiences of our American soldiers.
Some movies that depict American war events include Glory, The Tuskegee Airmen, Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, and We Were Soldiers. These movies are more appropriate for teens. A good patriotic movie for young children is An American Tail, which is a cute story about an animated mouse coming to America.
Write thank-you letters to veterans
Show your appreciation through heartfelt notes written to current and former service members. Go through Support Our Troops to send letters to deployed soldiers. A Million Thanks sends letters to active military and veterans. Get your community or school involved by setting up a letter-writing event.
Create red, white, and blue crafts
Make patriotic crafts like wreaths, flags, paper stars, streamers, or windsocks. Simple everyday items can be turned into patriotic decor and easily turn your Memorial Day celebration into festive family fun.
Read books about Memorial Day
Teach your children the meaning behind this holiday through age-appropriate stories. There are some excellent books for young kids that can explain the holiday without going into too many details of war.
Listen to patriotic songs
Fill your home with classic American tunes that celebrate freedom. Introduce your children to songs like The Star-Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, God Bless America, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and Yankee Doodle. You may even hear a few of these songs during the Memorial Day parade.
Host a moment of silence at 3 pm
Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance together as a family along with your fellow Americans. This moment of silence happens at 3 pm your local time on Memorial Day and lasts for only a minute. This is a quick and simple way to pay tribute to those who have fought for our country and can be done anywhere.
Make care packages for deployed soldiers
Send love and support to troops deployed overseas by sending thoughtful items. If you have a loved one or know of someone in the military, a care package is a great way to let them know you are thinking of them and appreciate the work they are doing.
If you don’t know of anyone, you can send items to Support Our Troops, and they will ship the items where they are most needed. They even have a list of items soldiers need the most, so you can get them exactly what they want.
Food and Outdoor Memorial Day Family Activities
Have a backyard BBQ or picnic
Fire up the grill and enjoy outdoor dining with family favorites. You could also pack a lunch and head to your local park for a relaxing afternoon outdoors.
Make festive red, white, and blue desserts
Bake treats like American flag cakes, berry parfaits, or star-shaped cookies. For the ultimate list of inspiration, check out these patriotic Memorial Day treats your whole family will love.
Plan a potluck with neighbors or friends
Sharing a meal is a great opportunity to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday as a community. The best part is that one family doesn’t have to do all of the cooking.
Host a hot dog or burger cook-off
Hold a Memorial Day cookout while competing with friends, family, or neighbors to create the most delicious food. This would be a fun annual event to kick off the beginning of the summer season.
Make homemade lemonade or popsicles
Cool down with refreshing, kid-friendly drinks or frozen treats. Having kids help gives them a fun activity to participate in, and they can immediately enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Go on a hike or nature walk
Reconnect with nature and get some fresh air on a local trail, your local park, or at one of the many scenic trails across the country.
Spend the day near the water
Splash, swim, and relax in the sunshine together. Whether at a lake, beach, or poolside, this is a great activity for welcoming the unofficial start of summer.
Have a water balloon or squirt gun fight
If you can’t get near the water, beat the heat with some silly, wet fun. Kids will love getting mom and dad soaked in their own backyard.
Camp out in your backyard
Pitch a tent, roast marshmallows, and stargaze without leaving home. This is one of the best ways to start a new family tradition without going broke.
Play lawn games
Keep the whole family entertained with outdoor classics like cornhole, horseshoes, giant Jenga, or other fun outdoor activities. Add these games to your neighborhood potluck or burger cook-off to keep the fun going all day.
Creative Memorial Day Family Activities
Paint rocks with patriotic designs
Decorate stones with flags, stars, or kind messages to leave around town as a random act of kindness to brighten someone’s day. Spend part of the weekend painting your rocks and then some time hiding them along your local parade route, so that people can find them on Memorial Day.
Decorate bikes, scooters, or wagons for a “mini parade”
Have a DIY parade at home with patriotic “floats” and music. If you have a lot of kids in the neighborhood, get together with other parents and ask if they would be interested in participating.
Make a patriotic wreath or centerpiece
Add red, white, and blue touches to your home decor with a creative art piece. Welcome guests with a large, wooden door sign you decorated with your kiddos or a DIY wreath.
Draw flags with sidewalk chalk
Show little ones the significance of the holiday by turning your driveway into a colorful tribute.
Create a gratitude jar for veterans
Decorate a jar or box in patriotic colors and designs. Have family members write short thank-you notes to veterans, such as thank you for your service, we appreciate your sacrifice, or you are our hero, to fill the jar over Memorial weekend or the week before. Deliver the notes to your local VA, a military family, or in a care package.
Do a family photo shoot in red, white, and blue
Dress in red, white, and blue and snap some fun themed pictures. Try a variety of outfits and poses to create a patriotic photo collage or a festive family album full of Memorial Day memories.
Make DIY patriotic shirts or tie-dye tees
Get crafty and design your own Memorial Day outfits with flag prints or tie-dye designs. Wear these outfits for your family photo shoot or Memorial Day celebrations.
Make a scrapbook page or collage about Memorial Day
Preserve your holiday memories by creating a special scrapbook page. Create a new page each year to put together a time capsule photo album.
Learn about a family member who served in the military
Share stories about those members of your family who have served in the armed forces. If those family members are still living, conduct an interview and record their stories of military service.
Write a Memorial Day poem or short story
Gather as a family to create a heartfelt poem or short story to describe what this day means to you. Whether fictional or based on real experiences, include the themes of bravery, freedom, remembrance, and gratitude.
Younger kids can draw pictures, while older children can shape the story. Display it in your home each year as a reminder of our service members’ sacrifices.
Travel Destinations for Memorial Day Weekend
Historical Locations
Washington, DC
Visit iconic monuments and museums while experiencing the National Memorial Day Parade and ceremonies.
Gettysburg, PA
Explore historic Civil War battlefields with reenactments and educational exhibits. Check out many of the local tours to experience the battlefield in a unique way.
Colonial Williamsburg, VA
Step into colonial America with costumed interpreters, where you can learn history in a fun way. Ask about free admission for military families.
Arlington National Cemetery, VA
Pay respect to fallen soldiers and witness solemn memorial services and a special wreath-laying ceremony.
Mount Rushmore, SD
View the towering presidential monument and enjoy family hikes on nearby trails.
Boston, MA
Spend the holiday weekend walking the Freedom Trail, visiting the Memorial Day Flag Garden in Boston Common, attending live performances at the Boston Calling Music Fest, and enjoying free admission to a Boston Museum.
Philadelphia, PA
Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to learn about the birthplace of American Independence. Check out the many Memorial Day events throughout the city and stay for the waterfront fireworks show.
Pearl Harbor, HI
Tour historic naval sites and museums while honoring World War II heroes and paying your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial.
Kansas City, MO
Enjoy your three-day weekend exploring the National WWI Museum and Memorial exhibits, attending Celebration at the Station with live music and evening fireworks, and honoring military personnel with their annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Bell Tolling.
The Alamo, TX
Learn about the famous battle while exploring the historic landmark. Special events for Memorial Day weekend include reenactments, discussions with historians, movie screenings, live music, and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Nature and Adventure Destinations
National Parks (Yellowstone or Yosemite)
Discover breathtaking landscapes and wildlife adventures for all ages. Beautiful national parks can be found all over the United States, so find one near you if you cannot to travel to one of the larger parks.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC
Enjoy scenic drives, waterfalls, and easy nature trails as a family.
Blue Ridge Parkway, VA/NC
Take a peaceful drive along the 469-mile parkway with panoramic mountain views and scenic picnic spots.
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV
Relax by the water, rent kayaks, or hike the trails, all surrounded by stunning views.
Grand Canyon, AZ
Experience one of the world’s natural wonders with family-friendly overlooks and private tours.
Acadia National Park, ME
Explore rocky coastlines, lush forests, and tidepools by the sea as you hike the trails or take a family bike ride along the carriage roads.
Niagara Falls, NY
Feel the mist on your face with an up-close boat tour, a walk 20 feet from the falls, and many observation decks. Enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the falls. Take a tour of the area with a hop-on, hop-off trolley service.
Redwood National & State Parks, CA
Walk among the tallest trees on Earth in peaceful serenity. Enjoy hiking trails and scenic drives with rare wildlife. Spend the night under the stars camping at one of the many campsites along the 200 miles of trails.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Enjoy your long weekend hitting the beach, riding the Ferris wheel, taking a river boat dinner cruise, watching knights joust, or strolling the lively boardwalk.
Lake George, NY
Enjoy boating, fishing, mini-golf, and charming lakefront fun that the entire family will love.
Fun and Family Entertainment Spots
Disneyland or Disney World
Create magical memories with rides, parades, and beloved characters. Contact a Disney travel agent to assist with your trip and check out these helpful tips for taking toddlers to Disney.
Hershey Park, PA
Visit the town that smells like chocolate. Ride roller coasters, splash around the water park, and tour the chocolate-filled world of Hershey.
Branson, MO
Enjoy museums, family-friendly shows with live entertainment, a scenic railroad adventure, and the Silver Dollar City theme park. No matter what your family enjoys, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do.
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Splash into endless fun at the water park capital of the world. Indoor water parks, outdoor water parks, wave pools, and splash pads are a great kickoff to the unofficial start of summer.
San Diego, CA
Explore the world-famous zoo, visit beautiful beaches, stroll through Balboa Park, and experience many of the city’s kid-friendly attractions.
Nashville, TN
Experience country music, stroll through Centennial Park and the Parthenon, and visit the many interactive exhibits at the various museums.
Chicago, IL
Explore fun activities and events at Navy Pier, dive into a pool of sprinkles at the Museum of Ice Cream, and experience lakefront adventures.
Savannah, GA
Stroll through historic squares and relaxing parks, take a riverboat cruise, explore historical sites and museums, and enjoy some old-fashioned Southern charm.
San Antonio, TX
Stroll along the beautiful San Antonio River Walk or enjoy a boat ride. Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns, Japanese Tea Gardens, Brackenridge Park, or Historic Market Square.
Orlando, FL
Dive into world-famous theme parks and soak up the sunshine. Orlando’s more than just Disney World. Visit Universal, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Discovery Cove, Gatorland, or Busch Gardens (in Tampa Bay). Take a day to drive to the Kennedy Space Center or one of the nearby beaches.
Conclusion
There you have it: fun and meaningful Memorial Day family activities to remember our military and kick off summer. Whether crafting, cooking, traveling, or simply reflecting on the day, these activities help create lasting memories based on gratitude and togetherness. However you choose to celebrate, let it be a day filled with love, learning, and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy.
Did you find new Memorial Day family activities to start this year? Let us know in the comments.
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