Whether you’re looking for fun activities on your installation, a weekend getaway, or online offerings from the digital library, you can turn to your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program for ideas and resources. From fitness and sports, to tickets, travel and life-long learning, MWR offers an array of recreation and entertainment options for service members and families.
Showing 24 of 24 articles
Sort By:
flowers on New York September 11 memorial
Never Forget: Visit Our National Memorials Honoring 9/11

On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people perished during the single largest terrorist attack in American history. More than twenty years later, millions of Americans still remember the events of that day.

A group of National Guard soldiers board a military cargo plan after an exercise.
7 Space-A Tips and Tricks for Experienced Military Travelers

The space available travel program, or Space-A, is a great transportation option for service members and immediate family that allows them to fly free or at a reduced cost across the country or world. Even if you’ve taken advantage of this benefit before, here are seven tips – gleaned from the experiences of other military travelers – to help you make the most of the Space-A travel program. A quick review of the basic Space-A travel process

Two hikers at a national park
Enjoy National Parks for Free

National parks offer something for almost everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or just like to sit and watch the world roll by, there’s a national park vacation right for you.

teenagers work together on a craft project
Defense Department Summer Camps

Have some activities planned to keep your children busy, engaged and having fun when school lets out. Defense Department summer camps may be a great addition to your child’s summer lineup.

Children reading outside
DOD MWR Libraries Summer Reading Program

MWR develops all kinds of enrichment programs to support force readiness and military community. Check out the summer reading program at DOD MWR Libraries and find new joy in reading.

Paintings hang in a gallery
Blue Star Museums

The Blue Star Museums initiative allows free access to museums across the country for active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members and their families.

service member swimming laps
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs and Eligibility

From fitness and sports to tickets and travel, MWR programs offer something for everyone. Whether you’re stationed on an installation or off, you’ll always have a way to access these offerings to relax, have fun and connect with others.

child looking at tablet
Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library

DOD MWR Libraries joined efforts with the four service branches to provide service members and their families with access to more free, online resources than ever before.

Children playing.
Indoor Fun Helps Military Families Beat Cabin Fever

There will always be days when cold or rainy weather keep everyone indoors. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to fight cabin fever. Here are 11 tried-and-tested activities that can help children burn off energy, learn basic skills and have a good time.

Child playing with bubbles
10 Outdoor Games Your Children Will Love

Kids love playing outdoors, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to the park every day. Here are 10 outdoor activities that can help your children burn off energy, learn basic skills and have a good time.

Family relaxing with holiday socks
6 Tips to Reduce Holiday Stress for Families With Special Needs

The holidays are packed with fun, food, festivities and, for some of us, – stress. For families with special needs, the unfamiliar sounds, smells and visitors can sometimes be disruptive. Minimize your stress this holiday season with six simple strategies for keeping your family member engaged and calm. Be prepared and put the fun back into your festivities.

service member planting garden
Common Ground: Community Gardens Ideal Fit For Military Members

Starting or joining a community garden can provide service members and their families with better access to fresh foods at a reduced cost, among many other benefits. They also help address the Department of Defense’s priority to make a wider variety of food available to military families.

Service members walk along mountain ridge
Families Who Walk Together Talk Together

Family time is precious to service members and their spouses, so make the most of it by looking beyond phones and screens for simple activities together. Make family time count and try something as simple as going for a walk together. It will pay off in more ways than one.

Army Navy football game
Information, Tickets and Travel: Your Key to Fun

Whether you want to take in a socially distanced ball game, spend a day at local attractions or plan a vacation, your local Information, Tickets and Travel office is your key to great deals on recreation and leisure travel.

Father helping daughter with goggles
About Morale, Welfare and Recreation: Supporting the Military Community

Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers many options for service members to relax and have fun during their free time.

boy playing football in pool
Best Kept Secrets: Military Campgrounds at a Discount

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program and Military OneSource offer cost-effective ways for military families to enjoy their time off. This includes the Best Kept Secrets: Joint Services Campgrounds and Facilities guide, which will connect you with recreational sites across the country.

Family fitness
Family Fitness With Young Children

As a parent of young children, your time may not always feel like your own. Despite your best efforts to stay on top of your family’s schedule, there’s always another mess to clean or mouth to feed.

Kickbox class
Fitness Classes With Morale, Welfare and Recreation

From high-intensity aerobic workouts to relaxing yoga, your installation’s fitness center has classes for everyone, at every level. Classes are available for little or no cost to anyone who can access the gym through the Morale, Welfare and Recreation program.

Children running outside
Keeping Your Child Healthy and Engaged Over the Summer

A little leisure is much needed when school lets out; however, children with special needs thrive with a little structure. It’s beneficial to maintain a routine during the summer as a way to keep your child learning and developing healthy habits.

Best Kept Secrets: Joint Services Campgrounds and Facilities

Find a “best kept secret” for your family’s next adventure.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation joint services campgrounds and facilities across the United States provide service members and their families a variety of accommodations and amenities at great rates without sacrificing luxury or location.

Librarian reshelving books
Explore the Library

As a service member, you know the importance of developing new skills, and your installation library is a great resource for professional development and learning. There’s so much there beyond books, including resume help, events information and research capabilities.

Boy at home on his laptop
Take Advantage of Online Learning Resources With Many Children Still Stuck at Home

Students are out of school because of the global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19. Keep your children engaged and learning outside the classroom with online resources available through the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library.

Marine looks at tablet
From Audiobooks to Academic Research, the Digital Library Has It

These days, your computer or mobile device gives you easy online access to books anywhere in the world, anytime your curiosity strikes. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation digital library has valuable and easy-to-use databases to help military service members and their families meet their research needs or simply download a book to enjoy.

Dad playing baseball in backyard with kids
Make Active Living a Priority to Improve Family Fitness

Staying fit is part of the military lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you’re struggling to embrace an active lifestyle, remember there are lots of choices out there.