9 Special Ways To Celebrate Memorial Day With Family

For a lot of people, Memorial Day is a time to get together with loved ones and enjoy each other’s company. With the last Monday of May just around the corner, here are the best ways to celebrate Memorial Day with family.

How to Spend Memorial Day with Family

Traditionally, Memorial Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the United States armed forces. During this time, Americans fly the U.S. flag with pride and in remembrance of the fallen. But, considering Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer, many people also take the opportunity to have some fun with family and friends.

Below, you will find some of the best Memorial Day activities with the family.

1. Go on a Picnic

As summer rolls around, Memorial Day is a great time to go outside and take in some fresh air. One of the ways you can do this while spending time with family is to go on a picnic.

Pick a local park, and make sure to check the weather forecast for that day. Pack all the things you need — food, beverages, snacks, and a blanket to sit on. If you plan to spend a long time at the park, bring some entertainment as well. Perhaps you want to read a book under the shade of a large tree or fly a kite.

2. Have a Backyard BBQ

If you don’t want to go far but want to spend time outdoors, your backyard is the perfect place. Invite some friends over and have a backyard BBQ. There are so many kinds of food you can grill, from steak and hot dogs to corn on the cob. Prepare some side dishes, too, while you’re at it to round out your meal. Then, close out the evening with some sparklers for a truly memorable Memorial Day with your family.

3. Organize a Pool Party

Pool parties are a summer staple. You can beat the heat and have fun with the family at the same time. This is ideal if you already have a pool in your backyard or HOA community. If not, an inflatable pool will work just as well.

For a great pool party, you will need some snacks and refreshments, too. Play some music and prepare some pool games. Just remember to follow safety protocols so that no one gets hurt. No running, no jumping, and adults should supervise kids at all times.

4. Go to the Beach

If you live near the beach, carve some time out of Memorial Day weekend to drive down there. Beach days are fantastic because they combine all the fun of a pool party and a picnic. There are also a lot of things you can do at the beach. You can swim in the ocean, go boating, build sandcastles, or just catch some sun for that perfect tan. Have a great Memorial Day with family at the beach!

5. Pay Tribute

While Memorial Day is often associated with summer activities, you shouldn’t forget the true meaning behind it. The holiday honors the fallen soldiers of the United States armed forces. Take this time to visit a national cemetery, memorial site, or monument.

This is also a good time to go to a museum or national park and teach kids about the importance of remembering the fallen. If you prefer to stay indoors, consider watching a Memorial Day parade or the National Memorial Day Concert.

6. Take Part in an Outdoor Activity

There are so many outdoor activities you can do this Memorial Day with family, depending on where you live. You can go biking at a local park, walk a National Historic Trail, or do some light hiking. You can also participate in other water activities such as boating and fishing. Spending some time outside is a good way to get some sunlight, exercise, and spend time with your loved ones simultaneously.

7. Have Dinner Together

An easy way to celebrate Memorial Day with loved ones is to have dinner with them. You can do this in one of several ways. If you don’t mind cooking, consider gathering under one roof and preparing a feast or a simple meal. You can also have dinner in your backyard or patio. Cooking isn’t for everyone, though, so having dinner out at a nice restaurant will also suffice.

8. Go Camping

Camping is a great way to enjoy basking in nature with family while learning some important outdoor skills at the same time. Of course, this will require a fair bit of planning and packing. But, once you’re on location with everything set up, you’ll immediately appreciate and understand why people love camping so much.

If your site permits it, you can try foraging and then building your own campfire. Remember to pack some marshmallows so you can roast them and make s’mores. You can also gather around the fire and tell your favorite stories about Memorial Day.

9. Plan a Movie Marathon

Memorial Day doesn’t have to be complicated. If you don’t have a lot of time to plan, a simple movie night will work just fine. Going with the theme, some of the best movies to watch this Memorial Day include “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Dunkirk,” “Top Gun,” “Apocalypse Now,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The American Sniper,” “Platoon,” “Lincoln,” “1917,” “Pearl Harbor,” and, of course, “Memorial Day.”

A good number of these films, though, feature violence and death. As such, they might not be very kid-friendly. If you’re watching with children, consider other movies like “National Treasure,” “This Is America, Charlie Brown,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “The Incredibles,” and “Independence Day.”

A Memorable Holiday

Memorial Day honors fallen soldiers — soldiers who were also parents, children, spouses, and friends. It is important to pay tribute to them while simultaneously cherishing what time you have with your own loved ones. If you want to have an unforgettable Memorial Day with family and friends, it’s not too late to start planning.

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