With Memorial Day weekend right around the corner, families see it as an opportunity to take a trip during the long weekend, barbecue with friends and family, or kick off the summer with outdoor activities. 

In Portland, there are many things to do, especially when the weather is pleasant. However, kids might not know why we commemorate Memorial Day as a national holiday, and with the weekend coming up, you can take the time to educate them about its meaning. Teaching them about the reason why we celebrate certain holidays can lead them to think a little more critically about other things as they grow up. 

Originally known as Decoration Day, this holiday began in 1868 as a way to remember and honor the soldiers that died in the Civil War. They would bring flowers to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers, a tradition that continues in Washington D.C.’s Arlington National Cemetery. When the National Moment of Remembrance Act was passed by Congress in 2000, it encouraged Americans to observe a moment of silence at 3 PM to remember those who have died while serving the country. 

You can first ask your child how much they already know about Memorial Day and what they might have learned at school about it. Younger children may need a little more context about what Memorial Day is and what the word “memorial” means. Older kids and teens can understand a more straightforward explanation. 

Here are a few ways to teach your kids about Memorial Day and some activities in Portland you can participate in together.

Attend a Memorial Service

To help your child understand what it means to honor those who have died in combat, you can take them to a memorial service that commemorates fallen soldiers. It takes a little time out of your day but can make a big impact on your child and help the significance of the holiday sink in a little more. There are several services you can attend around Oregon, including: 

Read A Book About Patriotism

If you’re a little rusty on your knowledge about Memorial Day or don’t know what to say, reading an age-appropriate book about the holiday is an easy way to teach your kids about it. There are lots of books out there about patriotism, America, and Memorial Day specifically, but here are a few titles to get you started: 

Participate in a Festival or Parade

The Portland Rose Festival kicks off during Memorial Day weekend on May 27th with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fireworks. It continues every weekend until June 26th. There are many activities to participate in with free admission for veterans, reservists, and active military with a valid military ID. 

Other cities around Oregon, like Reedsport, Wasco, Klamath Falls, and Seaside, commemorate Memorial Day on Sunday or Monday with a special parade. If you can’t find one locally, you can watch the National Memorial Day Parade together on TV or online. 

Make Patriotic Crafts

A fun way to get kids interested in learning about this holiday is by making crafts with them. You can make an American flag with paper, cardboard, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, popsicle sticks, or other mediums and display it on your lawn or in the window for everyone to see. 

Other ideas for crafts include making a memorial wreath out of egg cartons or pom-poms, paper poppies, star slime, or luminaries out of glass jars. Making crafts together will get kids invested and spark conversation about the significance of Memorial Day and how these crafts commemorate the day. 

Final Thoughts

This Memorial Day can be a fun educational experience for you and your kids. However you celebrate the day off, don’t forget to honor the fallen with your family and take advantage of the teachable moments.