Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching — May 28th to be exact — and you may be wondering what you’re going to be doing on your day off. It’s a four-day weekend, so of course, you want to make the most of it.
The weather is showing its warmer side, and you’ve got a long to-do list of outdoor work that winter has prevented. Why not do something fun instead? We’ve compiled a list of 19 family-friendly activities perfect for the long Memorial Day weekend this year, just in case you need some help.
1. Memorial Day Parade
Every city or town will hold a Memorial Day parade each year. Parades are a fun way to get outside and celebrate those who are serving or who have served our country.
2. Memorial Day Cookout
Whether you are already planning on attending one or maybe you’re tossing the idea around, a Memorial Day cookout is a great way to kick off the start of the summer season. Make it fun with some festive and patriotic food and décor the kids will love to help with. Invite a local veteran or the family of someone who is deployed to show your gratitude for their sacrifice and make their holiday weekend even more special.
3. Explore History
Depending on where you live, there’s typically some historical museum or monuments to explore. If not, take a look at your city’s history and set up a tour to explore. It’s a great way to learn about your town with your kids!
4. Run (or walk!) a 5k
Typically, there are a handful of Memorial Day races to take part it. If you’re not a runner, look for a family-friendly 5k walk. You can even make it a point to find one that supports Military assistance programs etc.
5. Patriotic Movie Marathon
There is a plethora of wartime movies from Saving Private Ryan to the more recent American Sniper. Depending on the age of those watching, there are numerous patriotic movies to watch and learn about our history.
6. Pay Your Respects
Take the time to go to a local veteran’s cemetery to pay your respects to those who served our country. Typically, local veteran associated cemeteries will hold ceremonial events to honor those who lost their lives during service. These events usually provide visitors with additional information on how you can support the military and military families, with volunteer projects or events.
7. Explore Nature
By now the weather is warmer and far more welcoming to some outdoor exploring. What better way to celebrate as a family than to plan an outdoor adventure. Take the long weekend to try out some white-water rafting, canoeing or even some good old-fashioned camping.
8. Baseball Game
Why not take the whole family out to support your local baseball team? Don’t want to deal with large crowds at a major league baseball game? Try looking for a minor league event nearby. These are typically smaller events and very family friendly.
9. Thank Your Heroes
There’s no better way to spend the holiday than to take some time to thank those who are currently serving our country. There are plenty of programs that can help assist you in writing out thank-you letters and getting them to the troops.
10. Care Package
On a similar note, you can also put together a care package for those currently serving abroad. A lot of times, these service men and women do not get the opportunity to be at home with their families during every holiday. Why not work with a local agency or find one online to help you curate a package of fun things to say “thank-you” to our troops?
11. Re-Enactments
If you have never been to a re-enactment, you are in for a treat. All across the country, men and women gather in historical clothing to re-enact wartime events. While most of them are either Revolutionary War or Civil War, it can be such a great time to witness. Look online at various places and regulations before heading out to watch a re-enactment live.
12. Family Trip
Since it is a four-day weekend, many families will take the time to take a trip to see extended family or plan a Memorial Day weekend getaway. If you are hoping to stay with the Memorial Day theme, there are many ideas for you to try out. A great vacation idea is visiting Arlington Cemetery to witness the events they put on during this weekend.
13. A Moment of Remembrance
Each Memorial Day at 3 p.m., you can take the time for a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives in service. It’s becoming more commonplace since 1997.
14. Go Biking
May is National Biking month. So, go ahead and get that bike out of the garage and take some time to enjoy the perfect weather in your support of this additional holiday!
15. Festive Baking
Why not use the holiday as an excuse to get creative with your cooking and baking. There’s sure to be rejoicing when you whip up a delicious patriotic dessert. Making food is a great family activity because kids love sugar and spending time with you!
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The weather is showing its warmer side, and you’ve got a long to-do list of outdoor work that winter has prevented. Why not do something fun instead? We’ve compiled a list of 19 family-friendly activities perfect for the long Memorial Day weekend this year, just in case you need some help.
Every city or town will hold a Memorial Day parade each year. Parades are a fun way to get outside and celebrate those who are serving or who have served our country.
2. Memorial Day Cookout
Whether you are already planning on attending one or maybe you’re tossing the idea around, a Memorial Day cookout is a great way to kick off the start of the summer season. Make it fun with some festive and patriotic food and décor the kids will love to help with. Invite a local veteran or the family of someone who is deployed to show your gratitude for their sacrifice and make their holiday weekend even more special.
3. Explore History
Depending on where you live, there’s typically some historical museum or monuments to explore. If not, take a look at your city’s history and set up a tour to explore. It’s a great way to learn about your town with your kids!
4. Run (or walk!) a 5k
Typically, there are a handful of Memorial Day races to take part it. If you’re not a runner, look for a family-friendly 5k walk. You can even make it a point to find one that supports Military assistance programs etc.
5. Patriotic Movie Marathon
There is a plethora of wartime movies from Saving Private Ryan to the more recent American Sniper. Depending on the age of those watching, there are numerous patriotic movies to watch and learn about our history.
6. Pay Your Respects
Take the time to go to a local veteran’s cemetery to pay your respects to those who served our country. Typically, local veteran associated cemeteries will hold ceremonial events to honor those who lost their lives during service. These events usually provide visitors with additional information on how you can support the military and military families, with volunteer projects or events.
7. Explore Nature
By now the weather is warmer and far more welcoming to some outdoor exploring. What better way to celebrate as a family than to plan an outdoor adventure. Take the long weekend to try out some white-water rafting, canoeing or even some good old-fashioned camping.
8. Baseball Game
Why not take the whole family out to support your local baseball team? Don’t want to deal with large crowds at a major league baseball game? Try looking for a minor league event nearby. These are typically smaller events and very family friendly.
9. Thank Your Heroes
There’s no better way to spend the holiday than to take some time to thank those who are currently serving our country. There are plenty of programs that can help assist you in writing out thank-you letters and getting them to the troops.
10. Care Package
On a similar note, you can also put together a care package for those currently serving abroad. A lot of times, these service men and women do not get the opportunity to be at home with their families during every holiday. Why not work with a local agency or find one online to help you curate a package of fun things to say “thank-you” to our troops?
11. Re-Enactments
If you have never been to a re-enactment, you are in for a treat. All across the country, men and women gather in historical clothing to re-enact wartime events. While most of them are either Revolutionary War or Civil War, it can be such a great time to witness. Look online at various places and regulations before heading out to watch a re-enactment live.
Since it is a four-day weekend, many families will take the time to take a trip to see extended family or plan a Memorial Day weekend getaway. If you are hoping to stay with the Memorial Day theme, there are many ideas for you to try out. A great vacation idea is visiting Arlington Cemetery to witness the events they put on during this weekend.
13. A Moment of Remembrance
Each Memorial Day at 3 p.m., you can take the time for a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives in service. It’s becoming more commonplace since 1997.
14. Go Biking
May is National Biking month. So, go ahead and get that bike out of the garage and take some time to enjoy the perfect weather in your support of this additional holiday!
15. Festive Baking
Why not use the holiday as an excuse to get creative with your cooking and baking. There’s sure to be rejoicing when you whip up a delicious patriotic dessert. Making food is a great family activity because kids love sugar and spending time with you!
16. Reading of the Names
Many cities will hold an event where you can hear a reading of those who died during service from your town or a specific war. Take a moment to look up any events that are going on near you.
17. Muscle Car Show
Whether they go hand-in-hand or not, this time of year there are tons of muscle car shows that start popping up all around town. It’s a fun way to get out of the house, be outside and gawk over some beautifully kept cars throughout history.
18. Crafts
Get crafty this season and make some red-, white- and blue-themed art. You can make colorful streamers for your cookout or take the time to make a piece of jewelry out of gemstone beads and wear your patriotism all year long. There are plenty of ideas for crafting online!
19. Honor
This holiday finds a way to honor those who lost their lives while fighting for the freedom we get to experience today.
There are so many ways to celebrate as a family this holiday. Remember, this day is a day to honor those who died during their service to our country, but know that commemorating that freedom is just another way to honor that service. Find creative ways to teach your children or implement into your own life a tradition of gratitude for all those who serve in our military each day.
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