Presidents’ Day is a wonderful American holiday celebrating two of our great presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. I’ve gathered up some activities and resources I think you will enjoy as you plan your Presidents’ Day Theme.
If learning with themes is new to you, see my post on How to Create a Unit Study which includes a video I made to walk you through how to use the different ideas in the Learning with Themes Activity Pack. The pack contains 41 pages of unit study printables and worksheets that can be used with almost any learning theme. All of the single page printables below are included as well as many others. I show a number of ways to use the pack with the topic of Presidents’ Day, but there are many more in the pack you could use as well.
Planning A Presidents’ Day Theme
Theme Planner: Print off the Theme Planner page in the pack. You can use it to begin making your plans as you read through the suggestions in this post.
Presidents’ Day KWL: Start your theme off with a KWL. KWL stands for Know, Want to Know, and Learned.
Your child tells you what she already knows about the topic, what she wants to know, and what she has learned at the end. KWLs are a great way to document your child’s learning, especially if you use a more relaxed approach to homeschooling.
Depending on the age of your child, you may want to record her answers on this sheet yourself rather than asking her to do it. The important thing is the content of what she’s saying, not whether or not she can write it down. If your learner prefers something with a bit more color, there is a Presidents’ Day KWL is available in my shop.
U. S. Presidents Themed Printables and Activities
Presidents’ Day Lapbook: This Presidents’ Day Lapbook is a great way to learn about the holiday as well as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It is especially designed to work well with reluctant writers or children who struggle with writing so it is focused more on content than writing. This is an easy to assemble lapbook and it looks great when it is done.
Presidents’ Day Writing and Notebooking Pages: Do some creative writing for Presidents’ Day! This Presidents’ Day Writing Pages includes both standard and primary lines in each design.
U. S. Presidents Fun Fact Cards: If you and your children want to learn about many of the presidents this month, check out my U.S. Presidents Fun Fact Cards. This is a collection of fascinating facts that you won’t find anywhere else. I guarantee you will learn some fun things along with your children while using these. If you do a morning time with your children, these can easily be added to your basket.
U.S. Presidents Copywork: Your children can also enjoy practicing their handwriting with the fun facts in copywork form in the U.S. Presidents Copywork.
Picture Books
Here are a few books for children specifically about Presidents’ Day. You can see more book suggestions in my Amazon Presidents’ Day shop section.
Your child can use this page in the pack to keep track of her favorite facts related to Presidents’ Day. Young children or children who struggle with writing can draw pictures in each shape to represent the facts.
Spelling, Vocabulary & Word Search
Spelling & Vocabulary: Choose several spelling words that are appropriate for your child’s ability. If you don’t do formal spelling, you can use this list for vocabulary discussion.
- Abraham Lincoln
- George Washington
- inauguration
- slavery
- president
- American Revolution
- Civil War
- Delaware River
- Mount Vernon
- Ford’s Theater
- Martha Washington
- Mary Todd Lincoln
- Illinois
- Virginia
- senator
Word Search Puzzle: Use the words in the list above to create a word search. You can make it for your child or your child can make it for you!
Presidents’ Day Geography
Use the United States map to mark important places in the life of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as you learn about them.
Presidents’ Day Recipes
Cooking is a great way to add math and science to your learning. Explore some of the favorite foods of President Washington and President Lincoln. Here are some your child can make and try!
George Washington’s Favorite Foods
- Information on Dining at Mount Vermon
- Hoe Cake
- George Washington Great Cake, 1780 recipe
- Mary Ball Washington Gingerbread
Abraham Lincoln’s Favorite Foods
Creative Learning Ideas
Write a Biography: Write a short biography about Washington or Lincoln using this page from the pack. Illustrate with a drawing or print a picture from online to glue in the oval.
Postage Stamp: Design a postage stamp to celebrate Washington, Lincoln, or both using the printable in the pack.
Newspaper Article: Pretend you could interview either Washington or Lincoln. Who would you choose? Write down 3-5 questions you would ask him. Then write a newspaper article with what you think their answers would be using this page in the pack.
Role Playing: Role playing can be an effective ways to learn. Check out the fantastic children’s costumes for George Washington, Martha Washington, Abraham Lincoln, colonial girls, Civil War soldiers, Civil War nurses, southern belles, and other relevant people during these historical periods.
Word Searches, Coloring Pages, and Other Pencil Activities: There are many to consider in my Presidents’ Day Amazon Shop.
List It: How many Presidents’ Day words can you come up with? Keep a list as you are studying or use this List It printable from the pack as a final activity to review everything you’ve learned.
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
The next section of this post focuses more specifically on George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. There are many fun videos, books, and activities below. We’ll start with George Washington and then look at Abraham Lincoln.
As you are learning about these important presidents, have your child look for ways they are similar and different. You can add those facts to the Venn Diagram.
George Washington
Mini Biography
Here is a short biography about Washington.
Mount Vernon Online Tour
The official Mount Vernon website has many wonderful resources for those of us who don’t live close enough to see the estate in person. It includes videos, pictures, and educational materials.
Picture Books about George Washington
Learn more about George Washington from his boyhood through his presidency with these picture books. There are many more recommendations and ideas in my Presidents’ Day Amazon shop.
George Washington and the American Revolution
Learn more about Washington and the American Revolution.
Abraham Lincoln
Mini Biography
This is a mini biography about Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln Picture Books
Read all about this remarkable man in a variety of picture books.
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War
A few books to explore both Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. See my Presidents’ Day Amazon shop for more book ideas.
Virtual Tour of Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois Home
See Lincoln’s home with this virtual tour.
What Was in Lincoln’s Pockets?
See the contents of President Lincoln’s pockets in this short video filmed at the Library of Congress.
Ford’s Theater Museum
Take an online tour and see the highlights of the museum at Ford’s Theater.
Abraham Lincoln in The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has an online collection of materials about Abraham Lincoln that you can peruse with your children. There is lots there to provoke discussions about all aspects of Lincoln’s life.
I hope you enjoy your Presidents’ Day themed study!
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Hi Sallie,
First I have to say thank you for your statement about yourself and what you believe. It is encouraging to see fellow Christians who are standing for truth and are unapologetic for Godly morals and values! Also thank you for creating a great resource for teachers to use for Presidents Day. I am excited to share it and use it within my own classroom.
Alyssa