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Celebrate Memorial Day!
Memorial Day is more than just a kickoff to summer, it provides a great opportunity to talk with your children about what the day symbolizes. Explain to your children that it is a day to remember and honor everyone who has protected the United States.
Below are some children’s books to help explain Memorial Day to your child. Additionally, Memorial Day is a great opportunity to come up with some new projects and games to enjoy with your little ones.
Here are a couple of activities to help start you off. Enjoy reading together and also doing art activities and playing games, a wonderful way to start the summer and spend time together.
Building an American Flag out of Popsicle sticks is a wonderful way to introduce young children to Memorial Day. You can make this simple craft outside or on the kitchen table.
You will need:
- Popsicle or craft sticks
- Glue
- Scissors
- Red and white paint or markers
- Paint brush
- Blue and white construction paper
- Form star stickers (optional)
Directions:
- Help your child paint or color 3 sticks red and 2 sticks white and let them dry.
- Once dry, glue a white stick directly below a red stick and repeat until they are all glued together.
- Cut out a small rectangle of blue construction paper and glue it to the upper left corner of the flag.
- Cut white stars out of paper and have the child place them or the star stickers on the paper.
- Talk to them about different ways to arrange the stars.
- To complete the flag, glue a stick to the back to create a handle.
Don’t Forget:
Talk with your child while making this flag. Ask them questions like: “What else is blue?” Or “Where have you seen a flag before?” Let them make a flag themselves, painting and gluing the sticks so they use their motor skills.
*This idea from Amy Vowles of sheknows.com
Great Children’s Books for Memorial Day
Introduce your child to the history of Memorial Day and easily explain to them how it is observed today.
Patriotic symbols are everywhere, but what do they really mean? Your children will find out in this book!
To download a PDF of these activities, please click here.