Memorial Day is more than just the start of summer or a day for backyard barbecues. It’s also the perfect time to explore meaningful Memorial Day activities for kids that teach honor, gratitude, and remembrance in age-appropriate ways.
It’s a special time to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military. And yes, even young children can begin to understand the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and remembrance.
As a mom, teacher, and proud military family member, I believe in making learning meaningful—and fun! Below are some simple, heartfelt ways to help children learn about Memorial Day in age-appropriate and engaging ways.
Leave a Coin to Show You Care
One Memorial Day, our family visited a military memorial together—my daughter, son-in-law (who is in the Army), my grandkids and me. As we walked around looking at the names and the memorials, we took part in a simple but powerful tradition: leaving coins on the headstones or memorials of veterans.
Each coin has a special meaning:
- A Penny on a headstone is a common sign that someone visited the grave to show respect.
- A Nickel means that the visitor shared basic training with the deceased.
- A Dime means that the visitor served with the deceased service member.
- A Quarter is the most significant coin. It means you were with the veteran when they passed away.
Leaving a coin is a quiet way to say: “I remember and I’m thankful for your bravery.”
Watching my grandson point to the symbols and asking questions was a reminder that children are always learning. They may not fully understand everything, but they feel the importance of the moment. They learn by seeing, by doing, and by sharing these experiences with the people they love.
📍 The memorial in our photos is located at Cooper Field near Legend’s Way at Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), Texas. It honors the 1st Cavalry Division troopers who served in the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with the names of 69 brave individuals etched into its stone.
Free Printable: Thank You Cards to Leave With a Coin
To make this activity even more special, I created a free printable your child can leave with their coin. These small cards (there are 4 to a page) are the perfect size for little hands and include a space, on the back, for them to sign their name or write a short message.
📍 Click here and leave your email to get the free printable card set. Start a meaningful Memorial Day tradition with your family this year.
More Fun Ways to Celebrate and Learn
- Visit a local veterans’ memorial and talk about the symbols and names you see.
- Watch a short Memorial Day video made for children.
- Read books that help kids understand bravery, honor, and loss (see below!).
- Color a flag or soldier-themed coloring page.
You can also grab my Free Patriotic Coloring Pages available on Teachers Pay Teachers. They’re great for quiet time or creative reflection: Get the free coloring pages here
More Memorial Day Resources
If you’re looking for even more ideas, be sure to visit my earlier blog post: Memorial Day Learning Activities
In that post, you’ll find:
- A fingerprint poppy craft
- A list of recommended children’s books about Memorial Day and military families that I reviewed myself.
Memorial Day is a wonderful opportunity to help children grow in understanding and gratitude. With just a few simple activities, you can help them connect with the deeper meaning of the day in a way that’s age-appropriate, loving, and memorable.
And remember—you don’t have to teach it all at once. Little hearts grow big with small, thoughtful lessons.
Wishing you a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day,
Mama Carmody
