Kat’s Money Corner: Taking Memorial Day beyond the backyard

Memorial Day practically screams for a cookout, especially in a grill-loving, barbecue-crazed town like Kansas City. That said, other affordable, patriotic weekend activities in and around the area could double as excellent learning opportunities for the kids.

Celebrate With a Crowd

KC’s biggest Memorial Day party, Celebration at the Station, is a daylong cultural festival at historic Union Station. It culminates in a rousing, two-hour concert experience that includes patriotic big-band music, jazz and a dazzling fireworks display. This year, you can park along Main Street and take the streetcar (for free!), which will be running until 11 p.m.

Make it Educational

Sometimes the excitement of a three-day weekend makes us forget the point of Memorial Day – honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom. It’s a good way to teach your kids the importance of America’s history. If any of your loved ones served in the military during their lives, tell your kids stories about them and how they served their country. You could also take them to the World War I Museum, which is offering free admission to veterans and active-duty military personnel, as well as half-price admission for the general public all weekend.

Time-honored and federally sponsored ways to honor veterans on Memorial Day include lowering your American flag to half-staff between dawn and noon. The National Moment of Remembrance is set for 3 p.m. in all time zones, so take that minute to silently reflect with your family.

Get Creative

If you’re still feeling patriotic, check out ways to help those currently serving overseas. Children can write letters to soldiers, and your whole family could participate in gathering and sending a care package to someone who is deployed far away from family.

When you plan your Memorial Day outing, make sure you include some time to relax and enjoy your family. After all, you’ve got a whole extra day to celebrate.

Kat's Money Corner is posted on Dollars & Sense every Tuesday. Kat Hnatyshyn, when not blogging or caring for her little ones, is a manager with CommunityAmerica Credit Union. For more financial chatter, click http://twitter.com/savinmavens or visit http://communityamerica.com.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Kat’s Money Corner: Taking Memorial Day beyond the backyard."