Memorial Day is celebrated the last Monday of May each year and for many, it marks the start of summer. But Memorial Day is much more than backyard bbqs, sunshine, and swimming in the lake. In 1868, this day was called Decoration Day and was a day to mark the graves of fallen soldiers. It has since been expanded to include all men and women who have died while serving in our armed forces. This year add crafts and DIY decorations to your festivities as your way to show patriotism and support of our military.
Hang-up Streamers
This craft is simple, fun, and a nice decoration! You’ll need an empty toilet paper roll, red and white strips of streamers; or tissue paper if that’s what you have on hand, blue paint, twine, glue, and star stickers.
You’ll start by painting the roll blue, and add the stickers however you’d like. Then take your strips of streamer and glue them to the inside, so they hang out. Glue the twine to the top and hang it up! These are great to hang around your porch or in the backyard for your Memorial Day BBQ.
Popsicle Stick Flag
Show your patriot spirit with this American flag made out of popsicle sticks. All you need is 5 sticks, construction paper, and star stickers. First, you paint three sticks red, and two white. Then glue them to the construction paper to make a rectangle. Make them in a pattern of red then white stripes, so that your sticks are in the pattern of the American flag. Cut a small blue square and place it in the top left corner of the striped flag, and then add star stickers!
Paint Fireworks
Bring a little patriotic color into your life with this fun Memorial Day craft for toddlers. You’ll need a toilet paper roll, scissors, paper, and different colored paints. No paintbrush required for this festive craft! First, cut the end of the roll to make tassels, and bend them all straight out. Place different colored paints on a surface and dip the roll. Press the roll onto the paper. Keep doing this and soon you’ll have a firework filled sky! This is an especially great project for young kids who will enjoy creating a colorful sky. Set up a butcher paper-covered table with different paints and cut toilet rolls ready to dip. The kids can stamp out the fireworks onto the paper at the start of your festivities and it will dry in time to be used as a table covering when the food is ready to be served!
Patriotic Slime
Kids will love this slimy craft. You will need 1 teaspoon of borax, ½ cup of warm water, a bottle of glue, red and blue glitter, and small stars. You’ll start by mixing the borax into the water, fully dissolving it. Pour the glue into a bowl and slowly add the borax mix, stirring as you add. It will slowly start to turn into slime. You’ll know it’s done when it’s not sticky but pliable. Once it’s done, mix in the glitter and stars, and that’s it!
