Memorial Day. Patriotism. Parades and flags. Family. Bar-b-cue. An extended weekend for traveling—when we visited the place of the first celebration of Memorial Day.
Waterloo, New York, U.S.A. on May 5, 1866.
Instead of being all about the fun—and Memorial Day is fun—add some history to your family's own celebration. Share this history with your children so they know what the Memorial Day fun, picnics, and fireworks are for.
sharing memorial day history with children
1 Memorial Day was first organized in recognition of those who fought in the Civil War. Plan a visit to Gettysburg National Park or Arlington National Cemetery—the most famous cemeteries where Civil War veterans are buried. Both have educational, historic surrounding sites and museums.
A trip to the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C. can be planned along with visits to nearby Smithsonian Museums of: American History, Natural History, Air and Space, American Art, American Indian—and one of my favorites—the National Postal Museum. The best part? These museums are FREE. Make a lunch pit stop in the cafeteria of the American Indian Museum, where they have some traditional (and very un-cafeteria-like) American Indian food, along with modern American selections. Then, go on to see the national memorials and monuments, the U.S. Capitol, the White House, and the National Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where money is made).
In Gettysburg, we spent a few days at the Gettysburg Museum and battlefields because there was so much to see. Gettysburg's hills are dotted with viewpoints and plaques explaining the battles, so visitors can take a walking or driving tour of the Civil War.
Don't forget to ask for Junior Ranger Programs when visiting these National Parks. Junior Ranger programs are activity booklets that children complete during their visit—finding the answers as they explore the museums and sites—to earn a special Parks Service badge. Most National Parks and National sites have them. Fun and educational.
2 Read a children's book together about American history.
3 Memorial Day weekend is a long weekend for many who get Monday off from work. Even a local visit to a nearby memorial, museum or family cemetery can easily be fit in to your other Memorial Day weekend plans.
4 If you have a family member who is a veteran, share their story—your children's own family history—with them. I do, and I will.
5 And, try our cooling, strawberry and cream popsicles this Memorial Day weekend.
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