Have a Meaningful & Memorable Memorial Day
Whatever you decide to do today as a family, this year will be remembered for quite some time. Be intentional about making memories with your kids today. It is also good to talk about the history of Memorial Day, and to know what the Bible says about remembering! Use these activity and learning ideas to have fun, make memories, and point to Jesus!
Isaiah 46:9 “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,”
History of Memorial Day:
PBS Kids Video
TIME for Kids
va.gov
Military.com
Military.com for kids
WRITE A LETTER TO A SOLDIER/CALL A VETERAN. (People Smart Kids, Art Smart Kids)
If you know a soldier, write them a letter thanking them for their service as many of them may have lost friends in wars. If you don’t know a soldier personally, there are so many soldiers that would appreciate a card, letter, or picture from you! Get more information here about Operation Gratitude. https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks/write-letters/
1 Corinthians 1:4 “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,”
CLICK HERE for Encouraging Bible Verses for the Military Community
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE.
Read these verses, and talk to God with others in mind. Ask Him to comfort those still here who might be sad or grieving today.
1 Peter 3:12a For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.
Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
REMEMBERING... (Word Smart Kids, Logic Smart Kids)
The Bible uses the word “Remember” 144 times. See what you can find! Google “Bible verses remember”.
Ask: What are they supposed to remember? List 5 things you are supposed to remember or “not forget.” Write down your favorite verse, and put it somewhere to help you remember it. Here’s one to give you a head start: Psalm 77:11 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”
PLAY A GAME OF MEMORY (Picture Smart Kids, Logic Smart Kids)
Do you have a good ol’ fashion Memory game? Pull it out and play! If not, make one of your own. Get a deck of cards or use identical pieces of paper and draw pictures or put stickers on the back. Each card should have a match. Lay them all face down in rows and take turns turning 2 cards over at a time. If you get a match, keep it, and go again. The person with the most matches at the end wins!
Think about it: The Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place of over 400,000 servicemen and women dating back to the Civil War in the 1860’s. When people are buried in the ground at cemeteries, they are often put in rows like the cards we put down. Why is it important to remember people who have died before us? Look at what the Bible says about those who have died.
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Why would it be precious?
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God sent Jesus to die for us, so we could live forever with Him.
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
COMPLETE A WORD SEARCH, TACKLE A MAZE, OR EXPRESS YOURSELF IN COLOR! (Word Smart Kids, Picture Smart Kids, Art Smart Kids, Logic Smart Kids)
Online Interactive Word Search (Super fun, but grown-ups note that there is an ad before you can play) https://www.abcya.com/games/word_search_memorial_day
Printable Word Searches, Connect the Dots, Coloring Pages, Mazes, and Word Scrambles
https://www.bigactivities.com/word_searches/memorial_day/index.php
Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
FOODIE FUN
Patriotic Berry Trifle
Berries & Cream Salad
Red, White, & Blue Bark
Easy Patriotic Snack for Littles
Grilled Corn Toppers
Flag Pizza & Red, White, & Blue Eggs
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.
READ A MEMORIAL DAY BOOK! (or have it read to you online!)
Memorial Day Surprise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJcKj4S7jZ8
Ask these Questions:
What’s the best surprise you’ve ever gotten?
Do you remember the first time you heard about Jesus?
Were you surprised about what He did for you?
1 Corinthians 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
The Wall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaRGu5HwD2A
Ask these Questions: If you were to write something important in stone, what would it be? Do you know that God did that too? Read about what He wrote in stone with His own finger! Exodus 20:1-21. These were important to God, and they show us we have all done wrong.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 7:7-25
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet”
10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!