This weekend marks the Memorial Day, the U.S. day of remembrance for military members who sacrificed their lives in battle. Since Memorial Day is traditionally celebrated with a Monday off from work and school commitments, and is widely considered the unofficial start of the summer season, it’s easy to overlook the day’s true significance. Most of us will have parties and barbecues over the long weekend; many of us will go shopping to take advantage of the big “Memorial Day Sales” that are advertised by retailers. All of those activities are fine, but it could be much more meaningful to pause and take some time to remember why we’re celebrating in the first place.

Take a few minutes at your family dinners this weekend to spark a larger conversation about Memorial Day using these conversation starters. We recommend them for ages 8 and up, but you know your family best.