Memorial Day is a day of remembrance on the last Monday of May. On this holiday, we honor those who died while serving in the U.S. Military. It is very important to me that my children honor these brave men and women. My grandfather served in the U.S. Navy, and luckily he did not parish, but that was not the case for some of his friends. My children will never take our country or our freedom for granted, and they are reminded of it daily though this “Home of the Free Because of the Brave” sign that we display proudly on a bookcase in our home.
There are tons of Memorial Day activities for kids in this lesson plan, including Memorial Day Virtual Tours, fantastic history activities and U.S. Military STEM projects like learning Morse Code, making DIY invisible ink and making egg carton air gliders. There are also Memorial Day math worksheets and a fun DIY poppy craft (using materials you already have at home!) But, before we begin, join our Facebook Group and follow us on Pinterest, so you won’t miss out on any of our educational fun!
Memorial Day Virtual Tours for Kids
Each branch of the U.S. military has fantastic, free, virtual tours of the museums that honor them. Have your kids take virtual trips to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the National Museum of the U.S. Army Campaign, the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the National Coast Guard Museum Association.
1. National Museum of the United States Air Force Virtual Tour
You can take a 360° virtual tour of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio here. In addition, they have podcasts and videos to teach you more about the Air Force. You can even experience sitting inside of 100 aircrafts with a Cockpit360 app, which is available to download here for free in both Google Play and Apple stores.
2. National Museum of the U.S. Army Campaign Virtual Tour
The National Museum of the U.S. Army Campaign, located in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is currently under construction, but you can still explore their exhibits here and view some of their American Army artifacts.
3. National Museum of the U.S. Navy Virtual Tour
The National Museum of the U.S. Navy is in the Washington Navy Yard, located in Southeast Washington D.C. They have a boat load (pun intended!) of U.S. Navy artifacts and museum exhibits that you can view here.
4. National Museum of the Marine Corps Virtual Tour
The National Museum of the Marine Corps is in their final phase of completing a 115,00 square foot addition. This U.S. Marine Corps’ museum is located in Triangle, Virginia. You can view some of the Marine’s galleries and exhibits online here.
5. National Coast Guard Museum Association Virtual Tour
New London, Connecticut is to be the home of the National Coast Guard Museum Association. Construction has had a set-back, but you can still learn a lot about the National Coast Guard here.
6. National Park Virtual Memorial Day Service
The National Park Service is hosting a Virtual Memorial Day Service at Vicksburg National Military Park, along with 24 other national parks. You can view the service here.
Memorial Day History Activities for Kids
The ultimate Memorial Day kids activity is to explore the military history of The United States of America. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was a holiday to honor those who died in the Civil War. Shortly after World War I, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day. Today, the holiday honors the men and women who passed away serving in the American military in any war, including World War I, World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
1. Memorial Day History Resources for Kids
Here are some fantastic articles for your kids to read about Memorial Day’s history.
- The History Channel wrote this Memorial Day history resource, which includes a photo gallery, a list of Memorial Day traditions and a discussion of Decoration Day.
- Time magazine published this article about “7 Things You Didn’t Know About Memorial Day.” For example, did you know that in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed a law that requires all of us to pause for a moment of remembrance and to honor the fallen at 3 pm?
- The National Museum of American History wrote this article to answer “Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?”
- Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has this virtual “Americans at War” exhibition.
- The Library of Congress has these primary sources, dating all the way back to the 19th and 20th centuries, about Decoration Day (a.k.a. Memorial Day).
- In addition to having a spectacular National Memorial Day Concert, PBS has a collection of articles and resources about the holiday here.
2. American Military History Kids Resources
If your kids are interested in further exploring America’s military history, here are some resources and lesson plans.
- The National Museum of the Marine Corps has an entire lesson plan on the 1838 Wilkes expedition, where a crew of Marines were sent to explore the last great frontier of the Pacific. You can download the free, printable lesson plan and activities here.
- Watch the following videos on the Marine Corps role in World War I. Then, complete this Wold War I journalism worksheet and this free, printable packet on “Journalism and World War I”.
- Video 1 explores United States Imperialism, along with both why and how countries in Europe fought during World War I.
- Then, watch Video 2, which discusses President Wilson’s decision process that led to the U.S. joining World War I.
- Finally, Video 3 elaborates on how the U.S. Marine Corps contributed to the battles in World War I.
DIY Memorial Day Crafts for Kids
Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer for many people. Here are some DIY Memorial Day craft projects and patriotic activities.
1. World War I Paper Doll Printables
The National Museum of the Marine Corps has these free, printable World War I Paper Doll templates.
2. U.S. Air Force Coloring Pages
There are a TON of fantastic U.S. Air Force Coloring Pages available to print for free here. The following is a list of all of the kinds of planes that you can color!
- AC-130A Spectre
- Apollo Command Module
- B-1B Lancer
- B-2 Spirit
- B-1B Lancer with Nose Art
- B-2 Spirit with Fire and Ice artwork
- Fire and Ice artwork from B-2
- B-57B Canberra
- Berlin Wall sections
- F-15A Streak Eagle
- F-104 Starfighter
- SR-71 Blackbird
- B-1B Boss Hawg Nose Art
- SR-71 Blackbird with tail art
- Tail art from SR-71
- Stumpy John Silver
- Tarantula, Gecko, and Dragon Fly
- Vittles the dog
- X-15A-2
- XB-70 Valkyrie
- XB-70 Valkyrie over Mt. Rushmore
3. Memorial Day Poppy Craft
Learn how to make a DIY poppy craft for Memorial Day in the following video. All you need is a piece of red paper, a green pipe cleaner and glue!
U.S. Military Science Activities for Kids
Let’s learn about some of the U.S. Military’s science and technology used throughout history
1. Cipher Wheel STEM Project
Learn what a Cipher Wheel is and how it was used by the U.S. Military in this STEM activity for kids.
2. Invisible Ink STEM Activity
During the American Revolution, invisible ink was used to pass secret handwritten messages to one another. Make your own DIY invisible ink using a white crayon and watercolor paint, in this fun STEM activity. You will even learn about the history behind how invisible ink was used!
3. Morse Code Activity for Kids
What is Morse Code and how was it used during World War I? You can learn about it and write your very own Morse Code with this free, printable activity for kids.
4. Semaphore Flag Communication Activity
The U.S. Navy uses a form of Semaphore Flag Signaling to communicate. Discover what Semaphore Signaling is, how it works and practice deciphering flag messages with this free, printable activity packet.
5. Signal Flags Activity for Kids
Navy ships communicated between one another using Signal Flags, before telephones, telegraphs and two-way radios existed. Learn how to decode Signal Flag Messages using these free worksheets.
6. DIY Aerodynamics STEM Projects for Kids
Learn about the history of flight in the U.S. Navy, along with how aerodynamics work with these free, printable worksheets. Here are all of the fantastic projects you will create!
How Do Hot Air Balloons Work?
What role does aerodynamics play in hot air balloons? Plus, make your own hot air balloon out of a trash bag, paperclips, a string and a hairdryer. Download the activity here.
How Do Airships Work?
Airships are similar to hot air balloons, but instead of using heat, airships use lighter gases to push them in the air. Learn how aerodynamics and buoyancy works with airships and build your own out of mylar helium balloons, non-helium balloons, toilet paper, string and modeling clay. Download the worksheets here.
How Do Airplanes & Jets Work?
Airplanes are heavier than hot air balloons or airships. How do aerodynamics come into play with airplanes and jets? Learn the difference between lift, weight, thrust and drag, and build your own paper airplane models. Then, use these worksheets to document your paper airplane trials.
7. DIY Propeller Aerospace Activity
Make your own simple propeller with these simple instructions from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
8. Egg Carton Glider for Kids
Do you have an extra egg carton? Then, make your own egg carton glider by following these steps (complete with a printable template!)
U.S. Military Math Activities for Kids
Your kids can practice their math skills, while celebrating Memorial Day and learning about how math is used by the U.S. Military!
1. Air & Water Pressure Math Activity
Learn how air and water pressure calculations are used by the U.S. Military, and practice math just like the U.S. Navy in this fun math activity.
2. Memorial Day Color by Number Worksheets
Here is a list of Memorial Day color by number worksheets to practice multiplication, number identification or division facts.
- Memorial Day Color by Number Multiplication Worksheet Here
- Memorial Day Color by Number (Identification) Worksheet Here
- Memorial Day Color by Number Division Worksheet Here
3. Memorial Day Roll, Add & Color Printable
Practice your addition with these free, printable worksheets. Your child will roll two dice, add the numbers together and then color the number that they get. Checkout these Dice Games for more fun with dice, as well as for instructions for how to make your own dice!
4. Memorial Day Math Symmetry Drawing
Learn about symmetry and practice drawing symmetrically, with this fun Memorial Day worksheet. It comes in two different skill levels, making it perfect for a range of different ages.
5. Memorial Day Math Game {Printable}
Print your own math game called the Memorial Day Run to 120 here. This free math board game is the perfect way to practice addition facts up to 12 and to learn about the 120 number board.
6. Memorial Day Math Word Problems
Complete these Memorial Day math word problem worksheets, which are suggested for 1st grade and 2nd grade.
7. Decimal Math Worksheet
Want to practice decimals? Checkout this Memorial Day BBQ decimal math worksheet!
And the most fun part… share a photo or video of your Memorial Day projects on Facebook! Make sure to include a link to this website or to our Facebook Group and Facebook Page, so that we can see it too! I’ve purposefully added a lot of options for parents who need to keep their kiddos occupied for more time and to allow you to cater to your children’s preferences.
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