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, many children may not know why Memorial Day is nationally observed, and this weekend offers a great opportunity to share and learn about its history and purpose.
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day began in 1868 to remember and honor the soldiers who died in the Civil War. People 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 3:00 PM to remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.
Teaching your kids about the reason why we celebrate holidays can lead them to think a little more critically as they grow up. You can start the conversation by asking your child how much they already know about Memorial Day. Younger children may need more context about what “memorial” means, while older ones may be able to explore the deeper meaning behind national remembrance and sacrifice.
Here are some ideas for teaching kids about Memorial Day and some activities in Portland you can participate in together.
Attend a Memorial Day 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:
- Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial at Washington Park, Portland (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
- Roseburg National Cemetery, Roseburg (11:00 AM – 11:45 AM)
- Mountain View Cemetery, Oregon City (10:00 AM)
- Oregon Korean War Memorial, Wilsonville (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM)
- Crescent Grove Cemetery, Tigard (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
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:
- Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner & Greg Ruth (Ages 4-8)
- Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops by Jill Biden & Raïl Colïn (Ages 5-8)
- Let’s Celebrate Memorial Day by Barbara deRubertis (Ages 6-9)
- America’s White Table by Margot Theis Raven & Mike Benny (All ages)
- The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara E. Walsh & Layne Johnson (Ages 6-10)
- Soldier by Simon Adams (Ages 8-12)
Participate in a Festival or Parade
The Portland Rose Festival kicks off during Memorial Day weekend on May 23rd with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fireworks. It continues every weekend until June 8th. There are many activities to participate, includingith 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 craft ideas 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 long weekend, don’t forget to honor the fallen with your family and take advantage of the teachable moments.
Emily currently lives in Orange County, California after spending four years in Illinois and half a year teaching in Florence, Italy. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Knox College and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego and has taught English to native speakers and ESL students for over three years. When she’s not working as a School Counselor or writing, she enjoys traveling the world, playing instruments, and blogging about Millennial experiences at Long Live the Twenties.