Memorial Day Games & Recipes to Enjoy with Your Dog
Memorial Day is here, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill, soak up some sunshine, and honor the start of summer with friends, family—and of course, our four-legged companions! At Grandma Lucy’s, we believe no celebration is complete without your pup by your side (especially when tasty treats are involved). Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or heading to a nearby park, we've rounded up some tail-waggin’ ways to include your dog in all the Memorial Day fun!
Cool Down your Dog with Pup-sicles!
What better way to keep your pup cool this Memorial Day than with a tasty frozen treat? Pup-sicles are not only a fun way to spoil your dog—they're also a sneaky way to add in some healthy fruits to your dog’s diet. We’ve got two of our go-to recipes below that are super simple to whip up and absolutely pup-approved by our official Grandma Lucy’s taste-testers!
Watermelon Creamsicles:
This sweet and juicy recipe is a total crowd-pleaser!! It’s a top pick among Grandma Lucy’s team dogs and a surefire favorite at any summer paw-ty. Bursting with refreshing watermelon flavor and creamy goodness, these pupsicles are super simple to make and guaranteed to get some serious tail wags!
What you need:
- Fresh Watermelon
- 1 cup of any Artisan recipe
- 1 cup of goat milk, oat milk, or almond milk (read more about milk substitutes for dogs here)
- A blender or food processor
- Molds for the pupsicles (Etsy has many cute options)
How to make watermelon creamsicles:
Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions. Enjoy!
Blueberry Pupsicles:
These frozen treats are packed with antioxidants from blueberries, which are known for their disease-fighting properties. So you can treat your pup knowing they’re getting a boost of nutrition at the same time!
What you need:
- 2 cups of blueberries
- 1 cup of any Pureformance recipe
- 1 cup of yogurt (read more about yogurt for dogs)
- 2 tablespoons of honey or agave
- A blender or food processor
- Molds for the pupsicles
How to make blueberry pupscicles:
Watch the video below for step-by-step instructions. We hope your pup love them!
Games and Fun Activities for Outdoor Get-Togethers with Your Dog
Everyone knows that a great get-together must have some truly great entertainment. While we are busy playing paddle ball, cornhole and horseshoes, our pups want to get in on the fun too! Here are some ideas on some fun activities to do at home with your dogs on Memorial Day Weekend!
Splashin’ around
Set up a mini plastic pool for you and the pups to cool off! We recommend a more durable, plastic one over an inflatable one as those dog nails can put an end to splash time very quickly. If a mini pool isn’t an option, sprinklers and hoses can still bring the fun!
Hide N’ Seek
Hide their favorite treat in the backyard or inside. Either a stuffed Kong filled with Pumpkin Pouch or their favorite food or a few hidden Organic Treats throughout the house or yard!
Obstacle Course:
Create a course your dog works their way through with fun surprises throughout! (i.e. Organics, Singles Treats, or our Sliders!)
Ideas to create the course -
- A box with two open ends that he can crawl through
- A basket alongside a pile of toys he has to place in it
- A pole on two stools or boxes that he can leap over
- A hula hoop to jump through
- Be creative!
Puzzle Challenges:
You can use homemade puzzle games to help not only entertain your pup, but to also challenge them! Here are some ideas of what you can use to make your own fun puzzles.
- Muffin Tin - Using a muffin tin (Egg carton works as well) you can lay your pets Organic or Singles treat inside the cup and then put a tennis ball on top to cover the treat or even using Pumpkin Pouches. Your dog will have to figure out how to remove the ball to gain access to the treat.
- Toilet Paper/Paper Towel Roll - Using an empty paper roll, put in a few treats and fold the ends in on each other. That’s it! Toss it to your dog and watch them go to town.
- Tennis Ball Trick - Grab a tennis ball and while using a utility knife or boxcutter, carefully slice along the white line to create a sort of smiley face. Squeeze the side of the ball to open the small cut and pop in a few treats! Toss the ball and watch them struggle to figure this one out.
Have a Safe and Enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend
As you enjoy a fun-filled Memorial Day with your pup, don’t forget to keep things safe! Keep grills, charcoal, and lighter fluid out of reach, and steer your pup clear of citronella torches, pool chemicals, and human sunscreen. Always supervise your dog around the pool and never leave them in a parked car. And while it’s tempting to share your BBQ spread, stick to pet-safe treats to avoid any tummy troubles. Most importantly, as we celebrate, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. From all of us at Grandma Lucy’s—have a happy, safe, and tail-wagging Memorial Day!