Presidents’ Day is one of my favorite holidays to incorporate into our homeschool because it offers so many rich learning opportunities! As a homeschooling mom and educator, I love finding ways to make history feel alive and relevant for my kids. Plus, it’s a great excuse to mix up our routine with hands-on Presidents’ Day homeschool activities, storytelling, and even some tasty presidential inspired treats. Whether you’re looking to dive deep into U.S. history or just sprinkle in some quick and fun learning activities, I’ve got you covered with ideas that work for all ages.
9 Awesome Presidents’ Day Homeschool Activity Ideas
1. Read & Learn About the Presidents
One of the easiest ways to introduce Presidents’ Day in your homeschool is through great books. I always start our day with a read-aloud, and my kids love learning interesting facts about different leaders. Some of our favorite books include:
- “George Washington’s Teeth” by Deborah Chandra (a fun, poetic read for younger kids!)
- “I Am Abraham Lincoln“ by Brad Meltzer (perfect for elementary ages)
- “So You Want to Be President?“ by Judith St. George (a humorous yet informative look at past presidents)
- Older kids can tackle presidential speeches, historical documents, or biographies on presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama, or even current leaders like Donald Trump.
To add some creativity, have your child pick a president to research and present a mini-report. If they love to draw, they can illustrate a timeline of that president’s life or key accomplishments.
2. Watch a Presidents’ Day Video or Documentary
If your kids are visual learners like mine, a well-done documentary or short educational video can bring history to life. I like to search YouTube and streaming services for engaging Presidents’ Day homeschool content, from animated explainers for younger kids to in-depth historical documentaries for older learners. Some great options include:
- PBS Kids’ “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum“ (fun episodes featuring historical figures!)
- CrashCourse History (a YT Channel for middle and high schoolers)
- National Geographic’s documentaries on presidents and American history
3. Do a Presidential Art Project
Art is a fantastic way to engage kids while reinforcing what they’ve learned. We always try to include at least one creative project in our Presidents’ Day homeschool activities! Here are a few ideas:
- Make a silhouette portrait of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or another president of choice.
- Design a campaign poster for a future “President (Child’s Name).” What would be their slogan?
- Create a penny or dollar bill featuring a “future president” (aka, your child!).
- Younger kids can color American flags or a simple White House drawing.
4. Play Presidential Trivia or Games
One thing I’ve learned is that if you make learning feel like a game, kids will soak it up without even realizing it. Here are some fun ways to make Presidents’ Day interactive:
- Host a presidential trivia contest with fun facts about different presidents.
- Print out and mix up pictures of U.S. presidents—see if your kids can match the name to the face.
- Play “Would You Rather: Presidential Edition” (e.g., “Would you rather be the first president or the 16th?”).
- Try an online quiz—there are great free options on sites like Ducksters or Education.com.
5. Write Like a President
Encourage writing skills with a presidential-themed activity:
- Have your child write a short speech about what they would do as president.
- Write a letter to a current or former president (did you know you can mail the White House?).
- Compose an acrostic poem using the name of a president.
- For older kids, challenge them to write an opinion piece on a famous presidential decision.
6. Cook Up Some Presidential Recipes
Who doesn’t love a tasty history lesson? You know that I love cooking! And it’s always fun to talk about how food connects to history. Here are some presidential favorites:
- George Washington’s favorite—hoecakes with maple syrup.
- Abraham Lincoln’s beloved apple pie.
- A peanut-themed snack in honor of Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer-turned-president!
- Try making a burger inspired by a more modern president—many have their own favorite styles!
7. Take a Virtual Field Trip
Even if you can’t travel to Washington, D.C., you can still explore history from home! Check out virtual tours of:
- The White House (White House Historical Association offers online tours).
- Mount Vernon (George Washington’s home).
- The Lincoln Memorial and other landmarks in D.C.
- The Smithsonian’s online exhibits on American history.
8. Find Free Presidents’ Day Homeschool Activities on Teachers Pay Teachers
One of my go-to resources as both a homeschooling mom and an educator is Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). If you’re not familiar, it’s a site where teachers share printables, lesson plans, and educational activities, many of them free! A quick search for “Presidents’ Day activities” will bring up all kinds of worksheets, puzzles, writing prompts, and crafts. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- 🔎 Use filters to find free resources (just check the “Free” box in search results).
- 📩 Download printable activities like coloring pages, word searches, or fact sheets.
- 📖 Look for unit studies or lapbooks if you want a deeper dive into presidential history.
- 🖍️ Print out fun activities for younger kids, like cut-and-paste activities or matching games.
9. Act It Out with a Presidential Skit
Bring history to life with a fun role-playing activity:
- Dress up as a favorite president and give a speech.
- Reenact an important historical moment, like the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Make Presidents’ Day a Memorable Learning Experience!
Presidents’ Day homeschool activities don’t have to be just another history lesson—it’s a chance to inspire curiosity, patriotism, and critical thinking in a way that sticks with your kids beyond the holiday. Whether you go all out or just sprinkle in a few of these ideas, your homeschoolers will have fun while learning about our nation’s leaders.
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Presidents’ Day in your homeschool? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!
Check out how you can celebrate Dr. Seuss Day or Earth Day in your homeschool here!
💖 Yessi
