Are you stuck in a Memorial Day celebration rut? Sleep in, barbeque, buy some new living room furniture, repeat? Read on for some fresh ideas that are family friendly, fun, and frugal!
St. Charles, Il Memorial Day Parade: It’s short. It’s sweet. It includes lots of American flags, veterans, bands, and scout troops. It starts at 10 am at 6th and Main Street in downtown St. Charles on Memorial Day. Check out the link below for more information so that you and your family can check it out.
https://www.stcharlesil.gov/events/festivals-special-events/memorial-day-parade
Graveyard Walk: In a previous blog post- Tales from the Crypt (id=state_16http://mindofmarie.home.blog/2021/10/18/tales-from-the-crypt/) my family and I discovered that graveyards have some pretty interesting stories to tell. But you don’t have to save graveyards for Halloween! This Memorial Day try focusing your graveyard walk specifically on the tombs of soldiers. Need help finding graveyards or specific tombs? Check out the link below.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery-browse/USA/Illinois?id=state_16 (Grave finder link)
Cantigny Park: A hidden gem in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. Cantigny Park has something to offer for the whole family. It’s more or less a military museum so there’s plenty of war history and memorials to be seen and appreciated this Memorial Day. There’s also an extensive collection of decommissioned tanks that the kids are welcome to climb on and explore. Beautiful, expansive flower gardens remind us of the peace that our soldiers fought for. On select weekends war reenactments are also offered. And don’t forget to check out Robert R. McCormick House- a sprawling mansion complete with a private movie theater! Check out the link below for more information and to plan your visit.
P.S. did you know you can use your library card to get free admission to Cantigny? Check out the link below to find out how.
https://www.museumadventure.org/
Kid’s Workouts: Click on the link below to do a modified version of the Murph workout, originally created to honor Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, with your kids.
https://youtu.be/8D205GjOlHM (Modified Murph work out)
Jack Hartmann: Rock out with Jack Hartmann’s America to Me song to remember why we love America or learn all fifty states with his Sing the States song.
https://youtu.be/oex3j_9AhGA (Jack Hartmann America to Me song)
https://youtu.be/luNbXJ5QoKY (Jack Hartmann Sing the States song)
Free Coloring Pages: This year Crayola is offering free printable coloring pages for Memorial Day. You can choose from several versions of the American flag, a backyard barbeque, or a military bugler. Just click, print, and color.
https://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/holidays/memorial-day-coloring-pages/
PBS Kids: Learn about the history of Memorial Day and how it became a national holiday with this short, sweet clip by PBS kids.
https://youtu.be/xWn2RPr-GhE (PBS kids Memorial Day)
Free Read Alouds: Can’t forget to end the day with some holiday specific bedtime stories! Enjoy these for free from your local library or as read alouds on YouTube.
Rolling Thunder by: Kate Messner rhythmically rhymes the chronical of a young boy riding in the side car beside his grandpa on Memorial Day. They ride in a parade to honor his friends lost in Vietnam ‘…raising flags of white and black for those who never made it back.’ They continue riding on to visit The Wall to see the names of his grandpa’s fallen friends. The book ends simply with the powerful message: Remember.
https://youtu.be/DEsdtYKiPok (Rolling Thunder read aloud)
Memorial Day Surprise by: Theresa Martin Golding joins Marco as he awaits a very big surprise, but there’s no time to ask what it is- he’s late for the Memorial Day parade. Although the parade is filled with all sorts of unexpected things- candy, fire fighters, marching bands, and little American flags his mother assures him that the biggest surprise is yet to come. The whole time he wishes abuelo was there to enjoy the parade with him until he discovers that abuelo had been there the whole time- marching in the parade in a place of honor with the other veterans. What a wonderful Memorial Day surprise!
https://youtu.be/vJcKj4S7jZ8 (Memorial Day Surprise read aloud)
Hope these fresh ideas will help you and your family find some fun as you take a moment to remember and give thanks to those who have served this Memorial Day.
Cheers!
Love,
Marie
The thrifty-momcom 