17 Memorial Day Crafts for Kids: Easy, Fun, and Totally Mess-Proof Ideas for Your Little DIY Crew

Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to bust out the glue sticks, glitter, and construction paper with the kids to add some patriotic flair . Honestly, we’ll take any chance to get crafty, make memories, and chat about why this day matters—all while keeping little hands busy (and maybe off the clean laundry for a minute).

Fun, easy Memorial Day crafts give us that sweet combo of creativity, learning, and some much-needed together time with easy memorial day crafts. This article’s packed with projects that’ll bring out everyone’s patriotic spirit and leave us with adorable keepsakes (plus a few glue blobs on the kitchen table—worth it!).

1) DIY American Flag Collage with red, white, and blue paper

Let’s get crafty, y’all! This is a quick and easy project you can do together. Grab red, white, and blue paper scraps—construction paper, tissue, whatever’s on hand. The more textures, the better.

Rip or cut them into pieces, glue those babies onto a big sheet, and do your best to make a flag shape. If it’s not perfect, who cares? We’re making memories, not masterpieces.

This craft works for all ages, even toddlers. Don’t forget to snap a pic of your memorial day wreaths with a patriotic touch —messy hands are a requirement! For more ideas, check out this flag collage craft for kids and other fun crafts for kids .

2) 3D Star Paper Craft using cardstock and glitter

This 3D star paper craft is absolutely extra, and honestly, we are here for it! Grab some colorful cardstock, kid-safe scissors, and—yep—plenty of glitter (maybe grab a tray unless you want to vacuum it for a month).

Fold and cut your star shapes, then glue them together for that perfect 3D “wow” factor. If you need a little help, check out this 3D Paper Star guide for easy steps.

Glitter time! Let the kids go wild—there’s no such thing as too much sparkle.

3) Patriotic Tissue Paper Stars for windows

Let’s talk about those tissue paper stars for windows. We’re obsessed. It’s like craft magic—just some tissue paper, contact paper, and suddenly your windows are bursting with patriotic decorations from various craft ideas .

Cut star shapes, grab a few supplies like red, white, and blue tissue squares, and let the kids go wild sticking them on. Every star ends up a little different, which is kind of the best part.

When the sun hits them, your windows basically throw a mini party. Want a peek at a cute idea for memorial day activities ? Check out these Patriotic Craft Window Decorations!

4) Handprint Flag Wreath with painted kid handprints

We seriously love crafts that show off our kids’ tiny hands—too cute, right? Grab some paint and paper plates, and let everyone get messy with this poppy craft for crafts for kids making paper poppies with red, white, and blue handprints.

After the handprints dry, cut them out and glue wooden stars in a circle to make a wreath. Perfect for hanging up on Memorial Day or just showing off to the neighbors as small flags ! For more ideas, check out this handprint wreath craft.

5) Folded Paper Fireworks Craft using origami techniques

Who knew a few sheets of paper could bring such big “wow” energy with these craft ideas ? Our kids love making these colorful, folded paper fireworks!

If you’ve never tried origami with the little ones, don’t worry—it’s way less intimidating than it sounds. Grab some bright square paper and a little patience.

Follow an easy origami fireworks tutorial together and watch your paper turn into amazing bursts. It’s perfect for tiny hands (and fidgety parents).

6) Popsicle Stick Memorial Day Flag painting

Let’s be real—we love any craft that starts with popsicle sticks! For this Memorial Day flag painting, all you need are some wooden sticks, red, white, and blue paint, and a dash of patience (mostly from us, not the kiddos).

Lay out four or five sticks in a row, paint them up like a flag, and let the kids add their own spin. You can even add buttons or tiny stars if you’re feeling extra, just like this popsicle stick flag craft idea.

7) Red, White, and Blue Heart Flags made from construction paper

Let’s grab that construction paper stash (you know, the one overflowing from the drawer) and get creative with crafts for kids ! You just need red, white, and blue sheets, scissors, and glue. Nothing fancy required.

Cut out hearts in all three colors—some big, some small, nothing has to be perfect here. Layer them and glue them onto sticks to make some super cute heart flags.

The kids love waving them around, and honestly, we get into it too. You can find more crafty ideas like this here.

8) Macaroni Star Ornaments painted in patriotic colors

Let’s be honest, macaroni is the #1 go-to for easy crafts. Grab some pasta, shape it into stars, and suddenly you’re feeling like an actual craft pro.

Glue the pasta together, let it dry, and go wild with red, white, and blue paint. Bonus points for sparkles—because who doesn’t love a little shine with wood glue ?

These patriotic star ornaments look adorable hanging in the window or on the fridge.

9) Simple Flag Pasting Project with torn paper

We love crafts that don’t require a fancy shopping trip. For this flag pasting project, just grab some red, white, and blue construction paper, tear it up, and start gluing.

This is the perfect “I need an activity, stat!” project. The kids can glue torn paper on a bigger sheet to make stripes and a blue square as part of a fun tear craftivity . If you want more details, check out this torn paper flag art project for step-by-step tips.

10) Starry Window Clings using contact paper and tissue

Let’s be real, we all love when the sun shines through a cute craft. For this one, grab contact paper, tissue paper, and let your little artists go wild.

Cut out star shapes, stick down the contact paper, and fill the space with tissue squares. It’s basically instant stained glass with way less mess.

This fun activity is super easy and your windows turn into a starry, colorful party for the memorial day holiday . For more inspiration, check out patriotic window decorations for kids.

11) American Angel Paper Craft with scrap paper and glue

Let’s get super creative and make an American Angel from scrap paper! You don’t need fancy supplies—just raid your stash for extra paper and grab some glue.

Mix and match colors—classic red, white, and blue, or whatever’s handy. Fold, cut, and glue those scraps together, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind angel ready to shine.

Need a little inspiration? Peek at this simple paper angel craft for kids.

12) Paper Plate Memorial Day Wreath decorated with stars

Let’s get crafty! All you need is a paper plate, some star cutouts, and glue.

Color the plate first—messy hands, happy hearts. Stick stars around the edge, and if you want extra sparkle, reach for glitter glue or sticker gems.

This wreath works for even the littlest crafters and brings those patriotic vibes home. If you’re craving more ideas, check out this patriotic star wreath craft for a creative boost.

13) Memorial Day Coloring Sheets with flag and veteran themes

Let’s break out the markers! Kids can dive into Memorial Day coloring sheets with American flags, soldiers, and fireworks—so many patriotic vibes.

We’re loving these Memorial Day coloring pages where kids color soldiers saluting and waving flags. Instant chill time for us, meaningful art for them!

It’s a sweet way to talk about heroes and why we remember them. Plus, these masterpieces look adorable on the fridge.

14) Painted Rocks with stars and stripes

Let’s get messy with some patriotic painted rocks! Grab a few smooth rocks, red, white, and blue spray paint, and maybe a sprinkle of glitter if you’re feeling bold.

Paint little stars, bold stripes, or even a funky flag. These cuties look awesome in the flower bed or on the porch.

Need more ideas? Check out these patriotic rock ideas that honor military service for Memorial Day or the 4th of July. Gather the kids and let’s make some star-spangled magic!

15) Button and Ribbon Flag Craft using recycled materials

Let’s be real—who doesn’t have a stash of random buttons and stray ribbon in a junk drawer? This craft is calling for those odds and ends!

Grab some cardboard for the base, lay down strips of ribbon as stripes, and glue on buttons for the flag’s “stars.” It looks adorable, and it’s a win for the environment and our crafty hearts.

Want more ways to use recycled stuff? Get inspired by DIY flag crafts made with ribbon and other items at Planetpals’ recycle flag ideas.

16) Firework Painting with toothbrush splatter technique

Let’s get a little messy, shall we? Grab those old toothbrushes hiding in the bathroom and some bright paint.

We’re making our own fireworks—inside! Dip the toothbrush in paint, aim at the paper, and flick the bristles with your fingers.

What you get: bold, beautiful firework art—no fire hazard. It’s a hit for kids’ crafts, and honestly, we love joining in too.

17) Star Garland from cut-out paper stars

Ready for a super cute craft that doubles as party decor? Let’s whip up a star garland using paper stars!

All you need are scissors, colored paper, and string. Cut out stars in any size or color—mix and match for fun vibes.

Punch a hole at the top and string them together. Hang your garland up to celebrate memorial day—and boom—instant festiveness.

Need a little help? Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for extra inspo!

Getting Crafty With the Littles

Crafting with our younger kiddos is wild, chaotic, and honestly, totally adorable. It gets messy fast, but with a few simple, kid friendly strategies, we can make those artsy moments more fun and a little less stressful for everyone.

Tips For Crafting With Kids (Without Losing Your Sanity)

We know our tiny artists have the attention span of a goldfish some days. Keeping instructions clear and projects simple helps everyone have more fun.

Pick crafts with just a few steps and layers they can add or skip, depending on their mood. Having everything set out before you start makes a huge difference.

Grab glue, scissors, paints, and wipes before the chaos begins. Sometimes, setting up a craft tray or using a big baking sheet for each kid keeps bits and bobs a little more contained.

If sibling arguments start brewing, let everyone pick their own craft from a list of Memorial Day ideas or just offer color choices to keep the peace. Group projects? Brace yourself for glitter everywhere, but hey, high-fives if you even attempt it.

How To Make Clean-Up Less Scary

Nobody loves the clean-up part, but we’ve learned some tricks. Cover the table with newspaper, a cheap tablecloth, or an old shower curtain to catch all the drips and splats.

Disposable plates and muffin tins work wonders for organizing supplies and mixing paints. Keep wipes, rags, and a trash bag on hand before you even open the paint.

Having a small hand broom or dustpan nearby makes it quick to scoop up dropped scraps and glitter (because you know it’s getting everywhere). Turn clean-up into a mini game—who can pick up the most scraps or put away craft stuff the fastest?

Bonus: small prizes like stickers or extra screen time work wonders. Sometimes, clean-up time ends up almost as fun as the craft, especially if you’ve got a silly playlist or a dance-off for motivation!

Teaching Kids About Memorial Day With Heart

Memorial Day can feel tricky to talk about with our kids, especially when discussing fallen soldiers but it’s important to help them understand the true meaning of what the day really means. Honoring those who served our country can be a sweet way to encourage thoughtfulness—even when the craft station is covered in glitter.

Age-Appropriate Ways To Talk About Memorial Day

Every kid is different, so we try to keep things simple and honest. For little ones, focus on bravery and helping others.

You might say, “Memorial Day is a time to remember people who helped keep us safe.” Short and sweet—no scary details needed for remembrance day .

For older kids, add a bit more. Compare it to being a good teammate or helping a friend. Point out the difference between Memorial Day and other holidays like Veterans Day—those can get mixed up sometimes, which enhances their cognitive skills .

If your kid gets curious, check out some age-appropriate books or videos together. There are also fun activities and crafts, like making flags or writing thank you notes, that help get the message across in a gentle, hands-on way.

Need more inspiration? There are tons of Memorial Day crafts for kids that center on teamwork and caring.

Helping Kids Show Gratitude And Kindness

We want our kids to see that saying “thanks” can actually be fun and meaningful. Making a poppy pin or a thank you card for veterans as part of kids memorial day lets them express their creativity and their gratitude.

It’s also just a great excuse to pull out the paint and stickers, showcasing our american pride . Who doesn’t love a good craft session?

Here are a few easy, simple craft ways we can help kids practice gratitude:

• Ask them to draw a “thank you” picture for a local hero.
• Stop by a veteran’s center with homemade treats.
• Paint kindness rocks with uplifting messages, then leave them around the neighborhood.

It’s nice to share family stories if you have them. Hearing about a great-grandparent who served makes history feel more real.

If you feel a little awkward, that’s normal. We’re all figuring it out and teaching our kids that appreciating others actually matters.