Memorial Day Activities for Students
We’ve compiled a list of the best Memorial Day activities for students to teach them about the history and importance of this American holiday.
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is an important national holiday that honors and remembers those who died serving in the U.S. military. Once known as Decoration Day, this holiday originated following the American Civil War, when many cities held observances in May for the families of soldiers killed in battle, and citizens placed flowers on the graves of the loved ones they’d lost.
Following World War I, its name changed to Memorial Day, and the day was used to honor those who died while serving the United States armed forces.
Originally observed on May 30 every year, Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday in May. This was changed in 1971 to allow for a three-day weekend, enjoyed today as Memorial Day weekend.
How to Teach Your Students About Memorial Day
One of the best ways to teach students about Memorial Day is by incorporating it into various activities and lessons. Start by explaining the history and significance of the holiday, and the importance of honoring those who have served and sacrificed for the country. You can use various resources such as books, videos, and online articles to aid in this.
Next, integrate Memorial Day into your curriculum. For example, in history lessons, discuss the different wars and conflicts that the U.S. has participated in and the impact these have had on the country. In English lessons, read and analyze poems and stories written by veterans or about war.
You can also organize activities that allow students to express their understanding of the holiday. For instance, they could write essays or create art projects about what Memorial Day means to them. Or, they could research a particular war or veteran, and present their findings to the class.
Finally, encourage students to take part in Memorial Day commemorations. This could be attending a local ceremony, visiting a war memorial, or even writing letters of appreciation to veterans or currently serving military personnel.
Memorial Day Activities for Students
Browse our collection of Memorial Day activities for students, including printables, worksheets, and games. These activities teach students about the holiday and honor the men and women who lost their lives in American wars.
Help your students to understand the meaning of Memorial Day with lesson plans and teaching resources for learning about the U.S. Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, as well as the heroes and heroines who have served the country in various ways.
Explore American history with social studies activities, build on students’ reading and writing skills with ELA activities that explore the connection between history and poetry, or develop students’ vocabulary with crosswords and word searches all about Memorial Day and the national anthem.
Memorial Day Videos
View our short videos about the history of Memorial Day and extend your students' knowledge with suggested extension activities for elementary, middle school, and high school grades.
Memorial Day Printables
Your students will enjoy learning about Memorial Day with these printables. Build vocabulary with crosswords, word searches, and word scrambles, or get patriotic with American flag activities and Memorial Day coloring.
- Memorial Day Activities for Elementary: Art and Writing Choice Board
- Memorial Day Coloring Pages Packet
- Memorial Day Crossword Puzzle Activity
- Memorial Day Word Search
- National Anthem Crossword Puzzle
- American Flag (in color)
- Memorial Day Activities
- Memorial Day Word Scramble
- Stars and Stripes -- First Draft
- Patriotic Songs
- American Patriotic Pencil Wrap
- More Memorial Day Printables
Memorial Day Lesson Plans
Help students understand the meaning of Memorial Day with lesson plans on the people, places, and events of World War I and World War II, as well as lessons that explore the connection between history and poetry.
- World War I: People, Places, and Events
- Women and World War II
- Veterans Day Newspaper
References for Memorial Day
Refer to our encyclopedia-style references as a useful starting point for lessons and classroom activities for Memorial Day.
- World War II: Timeline
- "Star-Spangled Banner"
- United States Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- Battles That Changed History
- National Cemeteries
- U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor
- U.S. Casualties in the Major Wars
- More Memorial Day References
Art & Music Memorial Day Activities for Students
Help students feel patriotic for Memorial Day with these printables and activities. Sing patriotic songs, learn more about the national anthem, or get creative with coloring activities.
- Patriotic Songs
- National Anthem Crossword Puzzle
- American Flag (in color)
- American Patriotic Pencil Wrap
- Memorial Day Coloring Pages Packet
- More
Language Arts Memorial Day Activities for Students
Combine American history and war history with Language Arts using these activities. Students will explore the poetry of “In Flanders Fields”, develop their essay writing skills, and read about important Americans in the civil war.
- The Wall: Literature Guide for Teachers
- "In Flanders Fields"
- Three Famous Americans in the Civil War
- War and Peace
- Stars and Stripes -- First Draft
- More Memorial Day Language Arts Activities
American Flag Resources
Help students learn about the American flag as a Memorial Day activity. Activities include learning more about the flag's history and display requirements.
- American Flag (in color)
- More Flag Facts
- When and How to Display the U.S. Flag
- More Flag Day Teacher Resources
Memorial Day Choice Boards
These Memorial Day activities for students in elementary grades and middle school include ELA and social studies activities. Use the activities to create themed learning centers, or for setting early-finisher, extension, and take-home tasks.
- Memorial Day Activities for Elementary: Art and Writing Choice Board
- Memorial Day Choice Board for Elementary Grades
- Memorial Day Choice Board for Middle School
U.S. Civil War Lesson Plans & Printables
Use these warm-ups, references, and hands-on classroom activities to help students learn about the U.S. Civil War.
- Chronology of Conscription in the U.S. -- Colonial Era to 1999
- A Classroom Divided
- Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up: The American Civil War
- The Underground Railroad
- More Popular U.S. Civil War Resources
World War I Lesson Plans & Printables
Explore the battles, weapons, and key events of World War I with these activities and printables. Includes a word search puzzle on major battles, a writing activity, and internet research about propaganda.
- Battles of World War I
- Fourteen Points Writing Exercise
- The Lusitania
- WWI Propaganda
- Weapons of War
- Treaty of Versailles
- More World War I Teacher Resources
World War II Lesson Plans & Printables
Help students learn about and understand the events of World War II and the Holocaust with reading passages, a printable book with activities, and literature guides.
- The Holocaust
- World War II Printable Book (5-12)
- Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl Discussion Guide
- Number the Stars
- Crack the Code -- The Holocaust
- WWII Printables Slideshow
- More World War II Teacher Resources
Vietnam War Lesson Plans & Printables
Use these reading passages, critical thinking writing activities, and literature guides to start discussions and help students understand the Vietnam War time period.
- Events in the Vietnam War
- Historical Fiction Reading Warm-Up: Protesting Vietnam
- The Wall: Literature Guide for Teachers
- Okay for Now Educator Guide
- Anti-War Protests
- War Is... Author Notes
- When Zachary Beaver Came to Town Common Core Teacher's Guide
War Resources for Social Studies
Use these broader war resources in your social studies lessons to explore concepts of war and find ways to approach discussions about war and violence around the world.
- What Is War?
- Women and World War II
- Talking With Children About War and Violence In the World
- War of the Roses
- Defining War and Aggression
