Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer vacation, which means cookouts, pool parties, community events, Memorial Day parades, and more. If you’re planning a get-together this year, either with your family or a large group, you will need fun ways to entertain the little guests. From crafts to games to entertainment, check out these simple Memorial Day activities for kids!
Craft a Memorial Day memory
Keep those little hands and minds engaged with some fun craft projects. From paper to paint, there are so many cool ways to create. Plus, these can double as Memorial Day decor for your party or celebration. Or, deliver them to retirement homes with local veterans to put a smile on their faces!
Cut and paste with paper ✂️
Paper is one of the easiest materials to use for Memorial Day crafts. You can use tissue paper to create a beautiful stained-glass sun catcher, cardstock to make symbolic red poppies, or paper printables for fun patriotic pinwheels.
Paint it red, white, and blue 🖌️
You can’t do proper crafting without getting into the paint. Choose the project that works best for you and your children, whether it’s getting messy with finger paints or choosing a cleaner approach with fun materials like marbles, pom-poms, and clothespins.
Feel the Memorial Day fun
In addition to, or in place of, crafts, sensory play remains a popular way to engage both young and older children. With just basic household items, you can create a variety of fun touch-based Memorial Day activities for kids.
Gooey good times 🧪
There’s just something about slime and playdough that captivates kids of all ages. Use patriotic colors and accessories, such as stars and glitter, to create colorful, textured slime. Or, try making some homemade playdough and challenge your little guests to mold and build different things.
Festive bins of fun 🖐️
Sensory bins are an especially great Memorial Day activity for a more low-key gathering. Use items such as rice, pasta, sand, cotton balls, small toys, and paper to create a variety of textures for them to explore. You can even make it a game by hiding items within the bin for them to find by touch alone with their eyes closed.
Bake Memorial Day treats
Most little ones love jumping into the kitchen to lend a hand. So, turn your party prep into a Memorial Day activity the kids can enjoy with you. Set up a decorating station, show them a few techniques, and let their creativity shine!
Icing on the cake 🍰
Bake cupcakes and cookies in fun shapes, and then let your little helper get to decorating. Lay out an assortment of red, white, and blue icing, sprinkles, and other toppings to create star-spangled treats for everyone to enjoy. They don’t have to look perfect as long as the kids are having fun!
🔴 Create candy flag cupcakes with red and blue M&Ms.
⭐ Make easy-to-decorate star cookies.
🍪 Bake some patriotic sprinkle cookies.
Dip, kiddos, dip 🧒
Dipping is an easy, mostly mess-free way to decorate treats. Use sticks or straws to give those little hands something to grip, and then put out bowls of candy melts and sprinkles for them to dip! Get creative with the following sweet ideas.
😋 Delicious American flag Rice Krispies treats.
🎇 Colorful firecracker strawberry pops.
🍭 Fun 4th of July cake pops.
Make a Memorial Day Splash
The weather is finally heating up, so it’s good to plan some Memorial Day activities for kids to cool off. Even if you don’t have a pool or beach nearby, you can create a splash zone in your yard or a local park. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Water balloon bonanza 🎈
Water balloons can make for some really fun—and refreshing—Memorial Day activities for kids. There are so many creative ways to play with water balloons, from relay races to piñata games. And products like Bunch O Balloons, which rapidly fill and self-seal, make the setup super easy!
Party outside the pool 💦
Memorial Day weekend marks the opening of most public and private pools. But if you don’t have access to one or want to avoid the crowds, you can build sprinklers and slip ‘n slides for some water fun right in your own backyard.
Add Memorial Day entertainment
If you’re planning a big Memorial Day party, you might need more than just crafts and sprinklers to entertain a large group of kids. Keep them active and engaged with more involved activities and live performers. There are all kinds of children’s party performers for every budget!
Step right up 🤹
Bring in party professionals to provide Memorial Day activities for the kids. Make your event feel like a carnival or fair with fun services on hand like face painters and balloon twisters. They can use red, white, and blue colors and create patriotic shapes and designs to keep things on theme.
Get movin’ and groovin’ 🕺
Turn your celebration into a Memorial Day concert with music that will get those little arms a-wavin’ and restless legs a-movin’. If you have the room, a children’s musician can put on an amazing show that even the adults will enjoy. Or, a kids DJ could also get a fun dance party going!
👀 Looking for more patriotic things to do with your little ones? Borrow some ideas from these kid-friendly 4th of July activities.
Choosing fun activities is important when celebrating Memorial Day with kids, but don’t forget to also share the meaning of the Memorial Day holiday with them. Take the time to thank military families and honor the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom to live and celebrate. ❤️🤍💙
Book something awesome® for your Memorial Day weekend! Find performers, musicians, and services on GigSalad.
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.