21 Special Memorial Day Activities Your Family Can Do Together

At 3 p.m., your local time, participate in The National Moment of Remembrance. For at least one minute, send your thanks, love and prayers to soldiers, veterans and the many men and women who died serving our country.

Even if your weekend is full of family fun, make sure you still pay your respects to the fallen troops with a donation to Memorial Day Flowers, a national foundation that places a flower on the graves of soldiers. A small donation of $5, for example, honors five soldiers with a red rose in front of their headstone.

Over 400 national park sites exist in the U.S. and each of them offer a unique look at America. Plan a tour of your nearest national park and discover the history of these landmarks.

With a donation to Building Homes for Heroes, you can help house an injured veteran. The organization builds and modifies homes for veterans, allowing them and their families to live mortgage-free.

If you're planning on eating out or shopping on Memorial Day, consider visiting businesses owned and operated by veterans or military families. Here is a master list of veteran-owned businesses, covering everything from hardware stores to fine dining.

Dust off your guitar and take time to learn how to play a special song fit for the occasion, such as Lee Greenwood's classic, "God Bless the U.S.A." Then, when everyone gathers 'round for your Memorial Day picnic, you can impress them with your skills.

TRENDING NOW: Memorial Day Songs to Celebrate America and Honor Our Heroes

Each year, PBS hosts a star-studded concert on the Sunday before Memorial Day. The concert features 90 minutes of live musical performances, heartfelt tributes and more.

While visiting in person in always preferred, you can also take a tour of the White House from the comfort of your living room. Head to Google Arts & Culture for a virtual tour of the historic home, complete with facts about its architecture and important events that took place in each room.

Even if you don't know a veteran personally (FWIW, you probably do), listen to a range of stories from active military members and veterans through Storycorps oral history. Or if you'd rather read your way through history, choose from top military memoirs like Band of Brothers, Guts 'n Gunships or The Things They Cannot Say.

Come Memorial Day, red poppies are worn as a sign of remembrance. In fact, the Friday before Memorial Day is considered National Poppy Day. While you can buy poppy pins at the store, you can also make your own with tissue paper by following this simple step-by-step tutorial.

Get the tutorial at Hey, Let's Make Stuff »

If you've already filled your three-day weekend with kid-friendly activities, save extra time (and money!) to research trusted military organizations and nonprofits that need donations. Choose a cause that's most relevant or important to you — wounded soldiers, grieving families, veterans with PTSD and so on —and give whatever you can.

FIND CHARITIES TO DONATE TO

To your kids, Memorial Day may just be another day off from school. To remind them that it is much more than that, have them write handwritten notes to active American soldiers and veterans. Once your letters are complete, bring them to any A Million Thanks drop-off locations to guarantee a safe, speedy arrival.

You know all of those coupons that come tucked inside your Sunday paper? Clip 'em — even if they're expired — and mail them to a military base associated with the Overseas Coupon Program. Current soldiers can use coupons up to six months after their expiration date at military commissaries, allowing them to save money to support their families.

Even though Operation Gratitude encourages people to join their efforts year-round, they host several events during the Memorial Day weekend. There are many ways to get involved: Convince your kids to donate their toys to kids in combat zones, sew special ties to keep troops cool during the hot summer months, or a host a neighborhood drive to collect toiletries for soldiers.

Gather the kids in your neighborhood and create a patriotic-inspired mural or just write out a simple thank you to local veterans, using sidewalk chalk.

Get the full-fledged holiday experience by cheering on your town's marching band, veterans, and local organizations at the nearest parade. A quick Google search will help you find the parade closest to you.

If you're still trying to wrap your head around the sacrifices that these brave men and women continue to make, consider watching a movie like Black Hawk Down or The Hurt Locker to get the full picture.

MEMORIAL DAY MOVIES TO WATCH

If you're planning to make a dessert for your family, make double. Because the sweetest way to show your thanks is to drop off a homemade treat — pie, cake, you name it — at the home of a fallen soldier.

MEMORIAL DAY DESSERTS TO BAKE

We could all use a little more patriotism, especially on Memorial Day. Get your kids involved in making these easy-to-DIY decorations, and then remember to hold onto them for your Fourth of July festivities.

MEMORIAL DAY DECORATIONS TO DIY

Just because you don't live close to the Arlington National Cemetery doesn't mean you should nix a Memorial Day cemetery visit altogether. Volunteer to dress graves at a local or military cemetery with flowers and flags. Or simply swing by to pay your respects to our country's heroes.