Holidays & Entertaining Fourth of July/Memorial Day 12 Things to Do for Memorial Day Weekend with Family and Friends By Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 9, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Gretchen Easton Celebrate the holiday with these fun things to do for Memorial Day weekend. We're sharing ways you can pay your respects, enjoy quality family time, and make meaningful memories. These Memorial Day activities are fun, inexpensive, and perfect for the whole family. Memorial Day Traditions: 7 Facts Every American Should Know 01 of 12 Have Dinner Outside Edmund Barr Gather for a casual dinner outside to celebrate the unofficial start of summer. Keep the dishes and decor simple; bunches of fresh-from-the-garden blooms star on this summer table. Serve up dishes that showcase in-season produce like berries, asparagus, and greens. 5 Outdoor Entertaining Trends Defining How We’ll Gather Outside in 2023 02 of 12 Play Yard Games Edmund Barr Get the family outside with a yard game competition. Set out fun, classic things to do for Memorial Day weekend, like bags, ring toss, and horseshoes. Plan a friendly competition and take turns rotating through the games. How to Build Cornhole Boards for the Ultimate Outdoor Game 03 of 12 Host a Family Pizza Party Jason Donnelly The secret to a summer pizza party? Your grill! Head outside with all the fixings for pizza, and cook them up on the grill. Let each kid customize their own and serve up easy sides like salad and a charcuterie board. 6 Tips for Making Woodfired Pizza at Home 04 of 12 Have a Picnic Andy Lyons One of the best things to do for Memorial Day weekend is to head to a local park and eat outside. Pack up ready-to-go recipes and toss a picnic blanket in the car. Bring games, Memorial Day decor, and more for a fun day of family activities. The 6 Best Heated Blankets of 2024 to Keep You Warm and Cozy, According to Testing 05 of 12 Watch a Movie Outside Rebekah Molloy Memorial Day weekend is no time to be inside! Gather the family and set up an outdoor movie screen. It's easier than you think and is a fun thing to do for Memorial Day weekend. Keep the screen up to use all summer long! Don't forget the popcorn. 06 of 12 Go to the Beach Blaine Moats If you live near an open beach, sink your toes into the sand and relax by enjoying one of the most well-loved things to do Memorial Day weekend. Gather your family and head to the local shores. Whether it's a beach, lake, or pond, your family will love being outside. Don't forget the sunscreen, drinks, and towels! We Tested 57 Beach Towels, and We Recommend These 11 to Soak Up the Sun 07 of 12 Get Grilling Carson Downing Fire up the grill and enjoy a feast outside. Memorial Day weekend is perfect for uncovering your grill and cooking food over the coals. This year, try an unexpected recipe like this Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Tarragon Sauce. 08 of 12 Have Brunch Kat Teutsch Kick off Memorial Day weekend with a delicious (and patriotic!) brunch. Even at home, you can make the weekend special with a DIY Bloody Mary bar and fun red, white, and blue decor. Memorial Day Traditions: 7 Facts Every American Should Know 09 of 12 Camp in the Backyard Rebekah Molloy Sleeping under the stars is a fun thing to do on Memorial Day for adults and older kids. Set up a tent with plenty of pillows and blankets for comfortable snoozing. Read books, stargaze, and enjoy each other's company during Memorial Day weekend. 24 Fun Activities to Add to Your Bucket List for Summer 10 of 12 Roast S'mores Laurie Black Photography Dessert is a must-have for any Memorial Day cookout. And nothing screams summer like a smoky roasted s'more. Set up an outdoor fire pit and all the fixings to make classic s'mores. Adults and kids will love this fun Memorial Day activity. How to Make an Easy Fire Pit in a Weekend 11 of 12 Pay Respects Pay tribute to those who served by visiting a nearby cemetery. Place flags and flowers on the graves and honor those who have fought for our country. It's a great way to spend quality time with family and honor the meaning and history of the holiday. 12 of 12 Go Biking Gretchen Easton May is National Bike Month. If you don't already have bikes for the family, late spring is a good time to invest in one you can use all summer. Dress up your bikes with Memorial Day decorations like stars and streamers, then head out for a family ride. Add embellishments to your helmets, and wear red, white, and blue for a fun and patriotic ride around town. 8 Creative and Simple Space-Saving Bicycle Storage Ideas Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit