3 easy ways to celebrate Memorial Day with a baby
Looking for some fun ways to celebrate Memorial Day this year? We’ve got tips to make some great family memories that even the littlest family member can enjoy with parades, picnics and patriotism!
Parade!
Nothing says ‘holiday’ like a parade. Most towns have one and they are surprisingly fun for kids (and their adults). Station your family in front of the grandstand if you want to know what all the floats are and to be in the middle of the action. It’s a good way to know what’s going on, but it may be too loud for some babies. If your little one might be overwhelmed by all the noise, consider watching from the end of the parade route where there is less commotion.
Tip: Try to avoid bringing a stroller or wagon—they are hard to maneuver through a crowd. This is a great time to pull out that baby-wearing device you have. Parades can last up to an hour, so be prepared!
Picnic!
Memorial Day is the kick-off to summer for lots of families and, thus, a great time to figure out what nearby parks are good for a family picnic. Think about if your family would do better with a picnic lunch or a picnic dinner, or even breakfast before the parade! (Then naps for everyone afterwards—yay!)
Tips: don’t forget to bring a large picnic blanket to sit on and plenty of wipes. If you’re little one is crawling, consider grabbing an inexpensive blow-up pool to set up with a blanket in the bottom of it on your picnic site. It will keep your crawler contained, but still allow them to be part of the fun. Check Pinterest for fun and easy picnic foods.
If a trek to the park is too much to manage right now, think about a backyard picnic instead! Something as simple as changing location for a meal can make it feel like a special day.
Patriotism!
In honor of Memorial Day, there will be a lot of American flags to point out to your baby. I wouldn’t go into the history of the flag just yet, but it’s a neat way to point out colors and shapes and practice your ‘USA!’ chant. Memorial Day is often considered the start of summer, but it is also a significant day for our nation and for the families that have lost a loved one. It’s a day to celebrate honor and sacrifice and spend with the people you love.
Tips: if you’ve never really celebrated Memorial Day before, it’s a great, low-key holiday to start building