Blending Learning and Summer Fun: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Memorial Day
Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start of summer—it's a meaningful holiday that gives homeschool families the perfect opportunity to combine hands-on learning with family fun. Whether you're year-round homeschoolers or winding down for a summer break, this holiday can offer rich moments for history, service, creativity, and play.
Understanding the Meaning Behind Memorial Day
First, begin with the “why.” Memorial Day is a time to honor U.S. military personnel who gave their lives in service to their country. It’s a natural entry point to talk about American history, the branches of the military, and the concept of sacrifice and service.
You can tailor your approach depending on your child’s age. For younger children, keep it simple—read a picture book about soldiers or visit a local memorial. Older children might research a historical conflict or write a reflection about what freedom means to them. For a solid historical background, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a great explanation of the holiday’s origins.
Bring History to Life
Field trips are a homeschool family’s best friend. Memorial Day weekend is a great time to visit a veteran’s cemetery, a local memorial, or even a museum. If there are parades or community events in your area, attending together can make history feel alive and relevant.
At home, consider a documentary or a family read-aloud that ties into American history. Books like The Wall by Eve Bunting or Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop are excellent choices. You can find more age-appropriate titles on this Memorial Day book list from Read Brightly. Follow it up with a family discussion or drawing project to help children process and reflect.
Make It Hands-On
Create a unit study around Memorial Day that blends reading, writing, history, and art. Here are some simple ideas:
History & Geography: Locate major U.S. military memorials on a map.
Art: Make red poppy crafts or patriotic decorations. This craft collection from Simple Everyday Mom is full of fun ideas.
Writing: Write thank-you letters to living veterans or active-duty service members. Operation Gratitude offers guidance on how to send these letters.
Civics: Learn about the flag code and how to properly display or fold the U.S. flag.
Don’t Forget the Fun!
Memorial Day is also about togetherness. Plan a picnic, nature walk, or water balloon fight. Let the kids help with a themed meal—patriotic fruit skewers, red-white-and-blue popsicles, or grilling with dad. These shared experiences build family bonds and give your kids the kind of childhood memories that stick.
For an added educational twist, turn some of the fun into learning: estimate how many watermelon seeds are in a slice, chart the number of laps around the yard, or write a silly Memorial Day-themed poem.
Reflect and Serve
Finally, Memorial Day offers a quiet chance to teach the value of service. Volunteer as a family—place flags at a cemetery, bake cookies for a neighbor who served, or create cards for a local VA hospital. You can even find volunteer opportunities near you to make your efforts more impactful.
By weaving learning into the fabric of the holiday, homeschool families can both honor the day’s significance and welcome the joy of summer. It’s not about formal lessons—it’s about meaningful moments that grow hearts and minds.
Printable Activity Suggestions
To make planning easier, here are a few printable resources you can include in your homeschool week:
Memorial Day Word Search – Great for early finishers or quiet time
Red Poppy Coloring Page – Pair with a short discussion about why poppies are a symbol of remembrance
Veteran Thank You Letter Template – A simple format to help younger children express gratitude
Patriotic Math Puzzles – Incorporate red, white, and blue themed word problems or graphing activities
Memorial Day Reflection Journal Page – Prompts to help kids think about freedom, courage, and sacrifice
These printables can be tucked into a morning basket, used as afternoon enrichment, or saved for a quiet Memorial Day morning before heading out to community events.