20 Memorial Day Coloring Pages | Free Printable Fun

This collection of 20 memorial day coloring pages offers a meaningful and engaging way to explore the significance of this important American holiday. Children and adults alike will find a variety of free printable Memorial Day coloring pages that encourage reflection, patriotism, and learning about those who served.

Our extensive collection of free printable Memorial Day coloring pages provides a diverse array of patriotic images and scenes perfect for commemorating the holiday. From joyful family gatherings to solemn moments of remembrance, these designs help children learn about this important holiday while fostering creativity. These memorial day coloring pages are designed to be both educational and fun, making them ideal Memorial Day activities for kids. For younger children, pairing these free printable Memorial Day coloring pages with ABCmouse online learning tools can enhance their understanding of American history and patriotic values.

The American Flag & Patriotic Symbols

The American flag is a powerful symbol of our nation. On Memorial Day, it’s customary to fly the flag at half-staff from sunrise until noon to honor those who have died in service, then raise it to full staff for the remainder of the day to recognize living veterans. This tradition highlights the dual nature of remembrance and gratitude. You can learn more about flag etiquette at the American Legion.

For accurate coloring, you’ll need bright red (scarlet), white (which can be represented by leaving the paper uncolored or using a very light gray for definition), and a deep navy or royal blue for the field of stars. When coloring the stars, pure white is typically used.

For crisp lines and solid colors, markers work wonderfully on these patriotic images. Use fine-tip markers for the stars and the edges of the stripes, then switch to a thicker marker for the larger areas of red and blue, ensuring even coverage without streaks. These memorial day coloring pages feature the American flag prominently in designs #1, #3, #4, #5, #9, #10, #11, #13, #17, #18, and #19.

Poppies and Remembrance Flowers

The red poppy holds deep historical significance as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died in wartime. Its association comes from John McCrae’s poignant poem “In Flanders Fields,” describing poppies growing abundantly on the battlefields and burial grounds of World War I. Other wildflowers often accompany poppies, symbolizing the beauty and resilience of nature even amidst solemnity.

To color poppies, use a vibrant, bright red for the main petals, adding a darker red or a touch of maroon near the center for depth. The poppy’s center is typically dark, often black or deep purple. For accompanying wildflowers, choose various shades of purple, yellow, pink, and white to create a lively field.

With colored pencils, you can create a beautiful layered effect for the poppies. Start with a medium red for the base, then apply a darker red with slightly more pressure around the edges and near the center. Use small circular strokes of black or dark purple for the distinct poppy centers. You’ll find these beautiful flowers in designs #2, #12, #15, #16, and the quilt pattern of #20 among our memorial day coloring pages.

Honoring Veterans and Memorials

Memorial Day originated shortly after the Civil War, initially known as Decoration Day, to commemorate the fallen soldiers by decorating their graves. It officially became a federal holiday in 1971. The “National Moment of Remembrance” encourages all Americans to pause at 3:00 PM local time for one minute on Memorial Day to collectively remember those who sacrificed their lives. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides extensive information on the holiday’s history and traditions.

Uniforms in these designs can be colored in respectful tones like olive green, khaki, or a subtle gray. Memorial stones are typically depicted in shades of gray, light beige, or off-white to represent granite or marble. Wreaths can be colored with natural greens for foliage, accented with red, white, and blue flowers, or a mix of various floral colors.

When coloring a veteran’s uniform with crayons, apply light pressure with a khaki or olive green crayon for the base color. Then, use slightly more pressure or a darker shade of the same color to create soft shadows and folds in the fabric, giving the uniform a gentle, respectful appearance. These important scenes are depicted in designs #4, #5, #7, and #14 of our free printable Memorial Day coloring pages.

Patriotic Family Fun

While Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance, it is also a time for families to gather, celebrate community, and appreciate the freedoms protected by those who served. Parades, picnics, and community events are common ways families honor the holiday, creating positive memories while remembering its true meaning. These gatherings often feature patriotic images and decorations.

Encourage a cheerful palette for these scenes. Picnic blankets are often red and white checkered, but feel free to use other bright colors. Children’s clothing can be vibrant and diverse, with touches of red, white, and blue. The sky can be a bright blue, and grass a lively green.

For scenes involving families and children, a mixed-media approach can be very effective. Use crayons for large areas like the sky, grass, or picnic blankets, allowing for broad, smooth coverage. Then, switch to colored pencils for finer details on faces, clothing patterns, or items within a picnic basket, enabling more precision and texture. You can enjoy these uplifting designs in #1, #3, #6, #13, #15, and #18 of these memorial day coloring pages.

Symbolic Doves

Doves are recognized globally as powerful symbols of peace, hope, and remembrance. Their gentle appearance and upward flight often symbolize spirits ascending or carrying messages of peace and solace. In the context of Memorial Day, they represent the hope for peace and the lasting memory of those who are gone but not forgotten.

For the doves themselves, use white, but add subtle shading with very light gray or pale blue to give them form and dimension, especially against a bright blue sky. The banner they carry should proudly feature red, white, and blue, perhaps with white stars or stripes.

To color the white doves with colored pencils, use a very light hand with a pale gray or sky blue pencil to define the contours of the wings and body, creating subtle shadows. This technique allows the doves to appear white while still having shape and standing out against the background. Design #8 specifically features these beautiful, symbolic doves among our memorial day coloring pages.

Lighthouse by the Ocean

Lighthouses have long stood as beacons of safety, guidance, and hope, often enduring harsh elements to lead ships safely to shore. Their unwavering presence and vital role resonate with the strength and sacrifices of those we remember on Memorial Day. Many lighthouses in coastal areas proudly fly the American flag, connecting their service to the nation’s heritage.

Lighthouses can be traditional red and white stripes, solid white with a red top, or even stone gray. The ocean can be depicted with various shades of blue and green, reflecting depth and movement, with white for the foamy waves or caps. The sky can range from clear blue to a dramatic sunset.

When coloring the lighthouse and ocean with markers, use them for bold, clear lines on the lighthouse’s stripes. For the ocean, try blending two different shades of blue or a blue and green marker together while the ink is still wet. This technique creates a smooth, watery effect, giving the ocean a sense of depth and fluidity. Design #17 offers a beautiful scene of a lighthouse flying the flag, perfect for these free printable Memorial Day coloring pages.

Creative Memorial Day Activities for Kids

After you’ve finished coloring these memorial day coloring pages, the fun and learning don’t have to stop! Here are a couple of ideas to make the most of your creations and further engage with the holiday’s meaning.

Create a “Remembrance Wall of Honor”

Gather your favorite finished designs, especially those featuring flags, veterans, or memorial scenes. Carefully cut them out and arrange them on a poster board or a dedicated section of a wall to create your own “Remembrance Wall.” You can add photos of family members who have served, or write small notes of thanks and honor next to each colored piece. This visual display serves as a personal tribute and a wonderful way to learn about this important holiday.

Design a Patriotic Storybook

Use several of your colored memorial day coloring pages as illustrations for a simple story about Memorial Day. Children can create a narrative about attending a parade, having a patriotic picnic, or visiting a memorial, reinforcing what they’ve learned about the holiday’s purpose. Punch holes along one side of the pages and tie them together with a ribbon to make a book. For extra educational content, consider using ABCmouse online learning tools to supplement their understanding of American history and holidays, providing facts and context for their stories.

These free printable Memorial Day coloring pages offer a meaningful opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We hope you enjoy coloring and learning about this important holiday.