Memorial Day lends itself to many meaningful biblical tie-ins. Here are 3 easy but awesome ideas you can use in children’s church this year.
3 Memorial Day Ideas for Children’s Church
1. Memorial Day Outreach: Remembrance
Work with parents to commemorate Memorial Day and teach kids about this important day of remembrance. Invite families to spend an afternoon at a local cemetery to clean up neglected graves. Bring work gloves, sunscreen, and bug repellent.
As you work, talk about what Jesus said in John 15:12-13 about laying down one’s life for friends. Pause to observe the National Moment of Remembrance, a moment of silence at 3 p.m., to honor people who made the ultimate sacrifice.
2. Memorial Day Game: Movement Memory
Stand in a large circle of 10 or more.
Say your full name, first and last, while doing some kind of unique movement. For example, you could say your name while lifting your right leg and hitting your knee with your hand for every syllable.
Say: Now, let’s teach these to our children and to their children after them. Have the person to your right repeat your name and action, then say his or her full name and add one unique action. Continue around the circle, having kids each repeat everyone’s name and action before them, then adding their name and action.
After making it around the circle, ask:
- What was easy or hard about remembering everyone’s name and action?
- What kinds of things do you think are important to remember about loved ones?
Read aloud Deuteronomy 4:9.
Say: This Scripture is Moses talking to the people of Israel, asking them to follow the Ten Commandments that God just gave him. He was urging the people to never forget what they’ve seen and to teach their kids and their kids’ kids all about God. It was very important for them to remember what Moses told them. In the same spirit, Memorial Day is a time for us to remember people who have died and appreciate all they did for us.
Ask kids to tell about any friends or family members who have served in the armed forces or who died while serving. Then pray, thanking God for the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
