Last-Minute, Low-Budget Memorial Day Ideas for Families (That Don’t Suck)
As parents, we’re supposed to make Memorial Day “meaningful” and “fun” and somehow photogenic for social media. If you’re like me, the weekend snuck up while you were just trying to survive the year, and now you’re staring down Monday like… “Am I supposed to be teaching history? Hosting a barbecue? Making crafts with construction paper?”
You can absolutely have a great Memorial Day with your family, even if you forgot to plan anything and don’t want to spend money. If you would rather not cry over a Pinterest fail, here’s your no-BS list of last-minute Memorial Day activities that are simple, affordable, and built for families who want connection.
And if you’re Googling the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, no shame—most adults are fuzzy on it. Both are about honoring military service, but Memorial Day is specifically to remember those who died in service. I’ve got a separate post on Veterans Day activity ideas that kids will actually enjoy when we honor living veterans.
In this article:
1. Do Nothing and Call It Rest
2. DIY Red, White & Blue Scavenger Hunt
3. Neighborhood Flag Walk
4. America-Themed Karaoke or Lip Sync Show
5. Paper Plate Medals of Honor
6. Water Balloon Dodgeball
7. Sidewalk Chalk Storytelling
8. Memorial Day Bed Forts + Movie Marathon
9. Memorial Day Rations (a.k.a. Living Room Picnic)
10. Grill Whatever’s in the Fridge
11. Free Local Events (Even If They’re Kinda Corny)
12. Memorial Day Coloring & Podcast Hour
13. Memorial Day Missions: Choose a Kid-Friendly Service Project
1. Do Nothing and Call It Rest
Ages: All
Let’s get this out: It’s okay to skip it all if you’re touched out, overstimulated, or just plain exhausted. Seriously. Skip the pressure. Tell your kids, “Today we honor people by taking a break.”
Peace and recovery are just as sacred as celebration. And some years that’s the best you’ve got—and that’s enough. Let the kids watch movies, eat cereal, and wear pajamas all day.
2. DIY Red, White & Blue Scavenger Hunt
Ages: 3–10
Send the kids on a hunt for anything red, white, or blue around the house or yard. It’s easy, keeps them occupied, and lets you “participate” while drinking your coffee in peace. Plus, it teaches observation as a game, not a chore.
Add bonus challenges like “salute a sibling” or “find something older than Dad’s high school playlist.” Winner gets to pick the next snack.
3. Neighborhood Flag Walk
Ages: 3–12 (works with strollers and scooters too)
Take a walk and make a game of counting how many American flags you see. Each time you find one, take turns saying something you’re thankful for. Could be “people who keep us safe” or “naps.” It’s the spirit that counts.
It’s slow-paced, reflective, and mildly patriotic. Plus, it burns off juice box energy.
4. America-Themed Karaoke or Lip Sync Show
Ages: 5–13 (younger kids love it too if you hype them up)
Let the kids perform patriotic songs like:
Born in the USA
This Land Is Your Land
Firework by Katy Perry if you’re loose with the theme.
Pure ridiculous fun. Requires nothing but a phone and zero shame. Bonus if adults join and embarrass themselves fully.
5. Paper Plate Medals of Honor
Ages: 3–9
Hand out paper plates and have the kids make “medals” for each other—best fort builder, fastest scooter rider, loudest snack eater. Stick them on with masking tape or string and do a silly ceremony. Feeds their need for validation. Low mess, no screens, lots of laughs.
6. Water Balloon Dodgeball
Ages: 4+ (watch the little ones—those balloons come fast)
If you’re not feeling especially patriotic but still want to do something because the kids are bouncing off the walls and everyone else seems to be out barbecuing—this is your move.
Fill a bucket with water balloons (quick trip to Dollar Tree) or sponges and let the chaos begin. You can turn it into “defend the base” (aka, the porch) or just let them pelt each other in pure summer joy. Safety goggles optional but hilarious. Fast setup. High impact. Good for hot weather and pent-up energy.
7. Sidewalk Chalk Storytelling
Ages: 3–12
Hand out the chalk and challenge kids to draw a story that includes a flag, a soldier, and something totally random (like a unicorn or a taco). Creative, outdoors-ish, and gives you a few quiet minutes to pretend you’re supervising. Let them narrate their masterpiece when it’s done.
8. Memorial Day Bed Forts + Movie Marathon
Ages: 3+ (ideal for mixed ages; toddlers to tweens)
Build a blanket fort or just throw a sheet over some chairs. Pick a few vaguely patriotic or military-adjacent movies and call it a “historical screening.” Some ideas:
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Cadet Kelly
Captain America
Liberty’s Kids
Major Payne
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front
Mulan
Night at the Museum
Operation Dumbo Drop
Valiant
Cozy, contained, and lets you sit your butt down for two hours without guilt.
9. Memorial Day Rations (a.k.a. Living Room Picnic)
Ages: 1–10
Can’t go anywhere? I got you. Lay out a blanket on the floor and call it a “military mess hall.” Forgot to buy groceries? No worries. Serve whatever you’ve got—PB&Js, leftover noodles, crackers—and call it military rations. It’s special because you called it special. Don’t overthink it.
10. Grill Whatever’s in the Fridge
Ages: All (adults do the cooking, kids get messy)
Create a “cookout” vibe even if you’re broke or forgot to buy charcoal. No hot dogs? No problem. Grill cheese on the stove. Skewer grapes and call them “fruit kebabs.” Burn marshmallows over candles if you have to. Kids will remember the weirdness, not the menu.
11. Free Local Events (Even If They’re Kinda Corny)
Ages: All (bring a stroller or snacks for little ones)
Search “Memorial Day events near me” and find a flag ceremony, small-town parade, or wreath laying. Most are short, free, and give you the warm fuzzies of “doing something” without planning anything. Teaches tradition, gets everyone out of the house, and sometimes there’s free stuff.
12. Memorial Day Coloring & Podcast Hour
Ages: 4–10
Print off a few patriotic coloring pages (flags, eagles, fireworks) and put on a kids’ podcast that talks about heroes, history, or anything remotely educational. It looks educational, but really it’s a trap to buy you 30 quiet minutes. Leave the room if necessary.
Related: Free Printable Kids’ Activity Book for Spring
13. Memorial Day Missions: Choose a Kid-Friendly Service Project
Ages: 4–12
If you actually want to mark Memorial Day in a way that means something, but you’re not about to haul your kids to a 3-hour formal ceremony, this is your move. Teaching kids about sacrifice, service, and gratitude doesn’t have to be a whole ordeal. You can plant the seed in under an hour and still feel like you crushed it at parenting today.
Let each kid pick a “mission” from the list below (yes, you can call it a secret mission if they need extra buy-in), then knock it out as a family. You’ll feel good, they’ll feel proud, and it might even lead to an actual conversation about what Memorial Day is really about.
Choose Your Mission:
Operation Gratitude Drop: Make a thank-you card for a veteran or active duty service member. If you don’t know one personally, mail it to a local VA hospital.
Park Cleanup Patrol: Take gloves and a trash bag to a local park or trail. Set a timer and see how much litter you can collect in 15 minutes.
Flag Delivery Duty: Leave tiny flags or paper hearts on neighborhood mailboxes or porches with a simple message like “We remember.”
Snack Pack Build: Put together small bags of shelf-stable snacks or bottled water to drop off at a homeless shelter or community pantry.
Flower Tribute Taskforce: Pick up or clip flowers and leave them at a veterans’ memorial or cemetery. No speech required—just show up and let them see.
Kindness Text Blitz: Challenge everyone to send a message or video saying something kind or grateful to three people. Yes, Grandma counts.
Donation Station Mission: Have each kid pick one toy, book, or clothing item to donate. Talk about giving what we have because of those who gave so much more.
Thank a Helper Hunt: Go out of your way to thank a mail carrier, store clerk, bus driver, or delivery driver—anyone quietly showing up for their community.
Want to really go for gold? Snap a pic of your crew in action and say something vague-but-impressive like “Taking a moment today to reflect and give back as a family.” No one has to know it only took 27 minutes and a bag of Goldfish crackers to keep the peace.
