“Did you know that there are 1.2 MILLION children of active-duty members worldwide?”
In case you didn't know, April 30th is National Military Brats Day! Did you know, accrding to Veteran.com that there are 1.2 MILLION children of active-duty members worldwide? This is a day to celebrate the children of military personnel, who have had to deal with all sorts of unique challenges. Being a military brat can be tough, but it also comes with a lot of benefits. As a member of this special group of people, you learn how to be adaptable and thrive in new environments. Today is your day to shine! So what are you going to do to celebrate? Here are 5 ideas to get you started.
Plan a special day for your military child, filled with their favorite activities and experiences.
Today's military child has many interests and hobbies, so there's no shortage of things you can do to make this a day to remember. If you are not sure of what's available in your new town try searching for "fun places near me" or "fun things to do with my military child." You may be surprised to find out that your community has more than meets the eye at first glance. Here’s some ideas you might find in your town.
Visit their favorite skate park, go-kart track, or amusement park.
If your military child is into sports, buy them tickets to their favorite game or take them to a batting cage to practice their swings.
For the creative military brat, sign them up for a painting class, pottery making, or dance lessons.
Is your military child a foodie? Spend the day making their favorite dishes or exploring new restaurants. Or, take a cooking class together
Is your child into puzzles and video games? A family visit to an escape room is a fantastic way to work together with them and see how they solve problems. Don’t be shy, ask if they have a military discount the worst thing they can say is no. Cracked It Escape Games always has a military discount. Use promotion code MIL-10-20 or click this link to book a game with the discount already applied.
Throw a party! Invite all of your child's friends, both military and civilian.
Life as a military child can be tough. There are a lot of things that they have to deal with that other kids don't. Long term separations from military parents, uprooting their lives every few years, making friends and moving away to name a few. Throwing a party for them with their friends lets them know that they are appreciated and that you understand what they go through. Here are a few party ideas and things to do with your military child.
Air Plant Jelly Fish DIY Craft by the Botanical Bartender
A pool party or beach party is always a hit. Many bases have indoor pools that you can reserve and book private parties.
Have an indoor picnic complete with a blanket fort and all their favorite foods. There are companies like Carolina Picnic Company that provide everything you need to have a memorable picnic at your home or a location of your choosing.
Everyone loves pizza, so order in from their favorite spot or make your own pizzas at home.
Throw an in-home child-friendly paint and sip, or crafting party. How about an Airplant Jellyfish Party by The Botanical Bartender?
Do something that gives back. Volunteer at a local animal shelter or soup kitchen. Help clean up a park or beach.
Is a parent deployed? Send a care package full of their favorite snacks, treats and mementos
It's a fact of life that there are times when a military child's parent may be deployed during some of the most memorable moments of their life. While it's not ideal, there are ways to make the best of it.
Send a care package full of their favorite snacks and treats, along with handwritten notes telling them how much you love and miss them.
Capture the moment with a video call or by sending photos and videos.
Make a memory box full of items that remind a deployed military mom or dad of their child. Include things like:
A hand written note or card or their favorite artwork they created just for mom or dad
a copy of their favorite book to read together over skype or chat
a stuffed animal
photos
videos
and anything else that will help them feel close to their child while they're away.
Create a photobook or photo collage of your family's military history
Your military child has a unique experience. They may have been posted at different bases around the world. Parents love taking pictures of their kids at these incredible locations having amazing experiences. The bad thing about todays camera phones is that most of those memories exist only digitally. Select some of your favorite photos and have them printed out at your local pharmacy and make a photobook or collage of your favorite family memories. Memory books don't have to be expensive or extravagant. They can be a simple collection of cherished photos or highly detailed travel journals. Some things you might want to include are:
Ticket stubs from favorite attractions
Programs from shows or concerts you attended
Leaf rubbings or pressed flowers
Souvenirs like keychains, magnets, etc.
Photographs of friends and relatives that visited you while you were posted at these exotic bases
Jot down some of your favorite memories in the form of a letter to your military child. Being a military brat is something they will always have in common with other military brats. They can look back on their childhood and read about all the different places they've been and things they've done.
Host an online activity with all their friends
If the last two years have shown us anything, it's that today's children, and especially military children, are fully engaged in online and collaborative activities. Frequent moves are part of military life and military children have to constantly make new friends. A great way to reconnect with their friends and have some fun is using many of the online gaming services available today. Here are a few ideas:
Host a JackBox Trivia gaming party
Host an online crafting party
Play a remote escape room
Create and play an online challenge game show or trivia challenge
There are endless possibilities for online activities and games that can be played. The key is to find something that everyone will enjoy and have some fun!
Celebrating National Military Brats Day is about showing your military child how much you appreciate them and everything they go through. It doesn't have to be anything big or expensive. Just spend some quality time together and show them how much you care. Happy National Military Brats Day! Let's celebrate by doing something special for the military children in our lives!
So, if you have a military brat or know someone who does, make sure to celebrate National Military Brats Day! There are so many great things about being a part of this special group of people.
And don't forget, if you need help planning an event or want more ideas, contact us at info@crackeditnc.com or visit our contact page. We would be happy to help!