Presidents Day means more than just a three-day weekend with your kids. It’s an opportunity for you to turn this important holiday into an enriching learning experience with fun presidential activities.
Do you know why we celebrate Presidents Day? Originally established in 1885 to honor President George Washington, the holiday was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday, Feb. 22. In 1971, it was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to give federal workers a three-day weekend. Presidents Day began with celebrating Washington, but it is now seen as a holiday that honors all American presidents.
Rally your kids and spend a truly special holiday learning more about our country’s leaders. Here is a list of our top kid-friendly ways to celebrate Presidents Day.
MORE: 8 free printable Presidents Day coloring pages
1. Research the meaning of Presidents Day
Your kids know that Presidents Day means that they get a day off school, but it’s time for them to learn what this holiday really means. Start by telling them the basic facts, then go on an adventure to learn more. The article “Presidents Day 2019” on History.com is a great read. You can also do a Google search and get all the information you need.
2. Create a Presidents Day quiz
After you and your kids have studied Presidents Day and learned more about our country’s presidents, create a quiz for your whole family to take. To keep your kids engaged, give out candy for each correct answer or divide your family into teams and declare that the winning team gets a free pass from the week’s chores.
3. Write a letter to the president
Ask your kids about their views on the president and our nation. Have them each write a letter expressing their views, praise for the current president’s policies, and issues they would like the president to address. You can find the mailing address for the president at WhiteHouse.gov.
MORE: Presidents Day is the perfect day to learn about the United States leaders
4. Do presidential skits
Role-playing is a fun and creative way for your kids to remember the things that they learn. Write up a short skit that puts your kids in presidential-related roles. Better yet, have your kids choose a president who they want to portray and have them do research to find notable things their respective president is known for. Let them create their own skit. Go all out and help them dress the part. A great example is having one of your kids dress up like Abraham Lincoln and read the Gettysburg Address.
5. Make a cherry pie
Once your pedantic activities are done, bring your kids into the kitchen and bake a cherry pie together as a tasty way to honor President Washington. Traditionally, people celebrate Washington with cherries. Not into pie? Make a cherry milkshake or a cherry cake, or simply share a big bowl of cherries.