Memorial Day Activities the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Submitted by: genwright

Memorial Day is a sober reminder of the men and women who fought and died in the name of freedom. But, it is also a day to celebrate by engaging in a variety of activities.

One of the most popular Memorial Day activities is, of course, having a barbecue and inviting over family and friends. Red, white, and blue is the theme of the day; so get out all of your party favorites and decorate your backyard with balloons, streamers; signs; and flags. You can even buy patriotic hats for your guests to wear! If you want to get really creative you can decorate a cake in red, white, and blue! Just bake up a sheet cake (use a mix!) and decorate it like a flag using blueberries and strawberries, or raspberries depending on your fruit preferences. Hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and homemade ice cream are always a hit. Have a watermelon, pie, or hot dog eating contest that everyone can join in.

Not feeling very social and just want to relax with your spouse and kids? Try having a family picnic in the park! You can make this a special time for your and your family by not only enjoying the outdoors and having fun, but explaining to your kids the importance of Memorial Day. Bring Frisbees, waterguns, a baseball or football, and just have a wonderful time as a family! Don't forget to pack a few special treats in the picnic basket, or maybe stop for ice cream on the way home.

If you want to get away for the weekend, no place would be more suited so spend time than in Washington, D.C. There you can take your children to visit the Capitol; the White House; Lincoln Memorial; and, of course, the Viet Nam Memorial. There you can explain to your kids the importance of Memorial Day, and allow them to ask questions; explore; and experience the history of our nation's capital.

Check with your local community center to see if they are having any special events, parades, games, or Memorial Day concerts. They might even have a fireworks display planned for in the evening. These events are generally free or very low cost! It's a great way to spend the day together doing something fun, helping the community raise money, and all without breaking your family's budget. Times are rough right now and taking advantage of these type of community events to celebrate is a great way to enjoy yourself and give back to your local community.

Memorial Day has become especially significant, as we have our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Honoring them and those who died before them is not only fitting, but reminds us that freedom comes at a price, and any soldier would tell you that fighting for their country is worth the sacrifice. Remember the men and women who are in far away lands protecting the freedom of others, as well as our own. Light a candle in their honor; send them a message of thanks or a care package of homemade cookies; let them know you are thinking and praying for them. It's the least we can do to ensure our Memorial Day history is not merely read from a book, but practiced every day.

Whatever you decide to do with your family, have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend! Don't forget the sunblock!

About the Author

Please visit Just Not Martha for a variety of family activities, fun recipes, and the daily blogging of a mom to four little boys. Family life is never boring, and there's always something fun going on. While you're visiting Just Not Martha, don't forget to pick up some great easy cheesecake recipes to enjoy later on!

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