Memorial Day Conversation Starter Activity

Today was Memorial Day in the United States.  It is a day of rememberance for those who have died in service to our country. While my own children don't yet fully understand their freedom and the brave sacrifices that ensure it, we want them to begin to process the significance of remembering. 

In the midst of our yard work, camp fire, and family wiffle ball tournament we took some time to start an informal conversation about the holiday with a drawing activity.

Materials:

Magazines

Scissors

White Paper

Glue

Pencils

Colored Pencils

 

Objective:

Kids will reflect on how and why we observe Memorial Day

Activity:

 Cut pictures from a magazine

 

Attach magazine cut outs to white drawing paper with tape or glue.  Instruct children to create a scene showing what their character would be doing on Memorial Day based on their understanding of the holiday.  Let the brainstorming, drawing, questions, and conversation begin.

Share pictures and discuss the ideas the kids are trying to portray.  An obvious extension activity would be to write about the finished pictures or to add conversation bubbles to the pictures reflecting what the characters may be thinking or saying.

 

Outcome:
With our own children the outcomes included: thoughtful conversation about what it means to remember, an interesting discussion about the differences between days of celebration and days of remembrance.; a richer understanding of our own family history and our great grandparent's contributions to our country's freedoms.

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