25 Exciting Presidents Day Activities for Preschool - OhMyClassroom.com (2024)

Presidents Day is an exciting time to celebrate the leaders who have shaped the history of the United States.

While it’s a day off from school for many, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to engage preschoolers in educational and enjoyable activities that will teach them about the importance of the presidency and the impact these leaders have had on our nation.

We’ll explore Presidents Day Activities for Preschool kids.

Presidents Day Activities for Preschool

“Presidential Portrait Collage”:

Preschoolers can explore their artistic side while learning about past presidents by creating a Presidential Portrait Collage. Provide them with pictures of different presidents, magazines, scissors, glue sticks, and large sheets of paper or cardboard. Encourage the children to cut out the presidents’ faces from the pictures and glue them onto their collages, arranging them in a creative and visually appealing way. As they work, you can discuss the names of the presidents, their contributions, and why they are important figures in American history. This activity not only enhances fine motor skills but also introduces young learners to the faces of different presidents.

“Presidential Trivia Hunt”:

Engage preschoolers in a thrilling treasure hunt with a presidential twist! Create a series of age-appropriate clues related to presidents and their achievements. Hide the clues around the room or outdoors and provide the children with the first clue. As they decipher each clue, they will discover the location of the next one until they reach the final treasure. Along the way, share interesting trivia about presidents, such as their favorite hobbies, famous quotes, or notable accomplishments. This activity promotes problem-solving skills, teamwork, and knowledge retention while fostering excitement for learning about history.

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“Design Your Own Presidential Seal”:

Preschoolers can tap into their creativity and create their very own presidential seal. Provide them with circular cutouts of cardstock or construction paper, crayons, markers, stickers, and adhesive gems. Discuss the significance of the presidential seal and its various elements, such as the eagle, stars, and motto. Encourage the children to design their own seals, incorporating symbols and colors that reflect their unique personalities. As they work, explain how the presidential seal represents the power and authority of the president. This activity not only allows for self-expression but also introduces the concept of symbolism and its role in visual representation.

“Presidents Day Puppet Show”:

Bring history to life with a Presidents Day puppet show! Help preschoolers create simple puppets using paper bags or craft sticks, construction paper, markers, and glue. Assign each child a different president and have them decorate their puppet accordingly. Once the puppets are ready, guide the children in writing a short script or story involving the presidents they represent. They can then put on a lively puppet show, taking turns showcasing their characters and sharing interesting facts about their assigned presidents. This activity encourages creativity, public speaking skills, and teamwork, all while exploring presidential history in an engaging and imaginative way.

Related: 25 4th July Activities for Preschool Kids

“Presidential Parade”:

Organize a lively Presidential Parade to celebrate Presidents Day. In advance, ask the preschoolers to dress up as their favorite president or wear patriotic colors. Provide them with musical instruments like tambourines, maracas, or toy drums. Lead the children in a parade around the classroom or outdoors, playing patriotic songs or simple tunes as they march. Please encourage them to wave flags or carry posters with the presidents’ names or pictures. As they march, discuss the role of presidents and their contributions to the nation. This activity promotes physical activity, coordination, and a sense of national pride while reinforcing the significance of Presidents Day.

“Presidential Book Club”:

Create a Presidential Book Club for preschoolers to explore the lives of different presidents through age-appropriate books. Select a variety of picture books that introduce the presidents in a fun and engaging way. Gather the children in a cozy reading area and read aloud one or two books about a specific president. Afterward, encourage discussion by asking questions like, “What did you learn about this president?” or “What do you think makes a good leader?” This activity enhances language skills, comprehension, and critical thinking while fostering a love for reading and history.

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“Presidential Obstacle Course”:

Transform your classroom or outdoor space into a Presidential Obstacle Course that combines physical activity with presidential trivia. Set up stations representing different aspects of the presidency, such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, or the voting process. Each station can have a fun physical challenge, such as crawling through a tunnel or jumping over hurdles. At each station, provide a presidential trivia question related to the theme. The children can answer the question before moving on to the next challenge. This activity promotes gross motor skills, cognitive development, and knowledge retention in an energetic and interactive way.

“Presidential Cooking”:

Introduce preschoolers to the culinary world while celebrating Presidents Day with a cooking activity. Choose a simple recipe associated with a particular president, such as Thomas Jefferson’s favorite macaroni and cheese. Gather the necessary ingredients and guide the children in following the recipe instructions, emphasizing safety and proper measuring techniques. As they prepare and enjoy the dish together, share interesting facts about the president and his culinary preferences. This activity enhances fine motor skills, follows directions, and introduces the concept of historical gastronomy.

“Presidential Memory Game”:

Create a Presidents Day-themed memory game using index cards or cutouts. On each card, write the name of a president and draw or attach a picture of them. Shuffle the cards and lay them out facedown in a grid formation. The children take turns flipping two cards over, trying to find matching pairs. As they turn over a card, they can also share a fun fact or an interesting detail about the president they revealed. This activity develops memory skills, cognitive abilities, and knowledge recall while reinforcing the names and faces of various presidents.

“Presidential Dance Party”:

Host an energetic and entertaining Presidential Dance Party for preschoolers to celebrate the holiday. Create a playlist of patriotic songs and popular tunes that get the children moving and grooving. Encourage them to dress up in red, white, and blue attire or wear accessories related to presidents. Play the music and guide the children in simple dance routines or freestyle movements. Take breaks between songs to share brief anecdotes about different presidents or ask questions about the significance of Presidents Day. This activity promotes physical fitness, coordination, and a sense of joyous celebration.

“Presidential Puzzles”:

Engage preschoolers in a hands-on puzzle activity that highlights different presidents. Find age-appropriate puzzles featuring images of presidents or the White House. Provide each child with a puzzle and encourage them to work individually or in pairs to solve it. As they piece together the puzzle, share interesting facts about the president or the significance of the White House. This activity enhances fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and spatial awareness while fostering an appreciation for the leaders who have shaped our nation.

“Presidential Charades”:

Put a presidential twist on the classic game of charades by playing “Presidential Charades” with preschoolers. Write down the names of different presidents on separate pieces of paper and place them in a bowl or hat. Divide the children into teams and have them take turns selecting a paper and acting out the president without using any words. The other team members must guess which president is being portrayed. After each round, provide interesting facts about the president to deepen their knowledge. This activity promotes communication skills, creativity, and teamwork while reinforcing presidential facts.

“Presidential Sensory Bin”:

Create a sensory bin filled with items related to presidents and the United States. Use a large container and fill it with red, white, and blue rice or shredded paper. Add small figurines of presidents, miniature American flags, plastic coins, and other items representing aspects of American history. Encourage the children to explore the bin, dig for treasures, and discuss the items they find. This activity stimulates tactile senses, promotes imaginative play, and introduces sensory exploration while incorporating presidential themes.

“Presidential Role Play”:

Invite preschoolers to engage in imaginative play by setting up a Presidential Role Play area. Provide props like dress-up clothes, pretend microphones, podiums, and flags. Encourage the children to take turns pretending to be the president, delivering speeches, and making important decisions. This activity fosters creativity, language development, and social skills as the children take on various roles and engage in imaginative scenarios related to presidential responsibilities.

“Presidential Time Capsule”:

Create a time capsule activity where preschoolers can reflect on their aspirations and dreams, just like the presidents. Provide each child with a small box or container and art supplies like markers, stickers, and glitter. Ask the children to decorate their time capsules and then write or draw pictures representing their dreams and goals. Encourage them to include a letter to their future selves, discussing what they hope to achieve. Seal the time capsules and set a future date, perhaps the next Presidents Day, to open and review their goals. This activity promotes self-expression, goal-setting, and a sense of reflection while drawing inspiration from the perseverance and leadership of presidents.

“Presidential Science Experiments”:

Combine science and history by engaging preschoolers in presidential-themed experiments. Choose simple experiments that relate to the achievements or interests of different presidents. For example, create a volcano experiment to represent George Washington’s role as a surveyor or conduct a floating and sinking activity to explore the concept of buoyancy, inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s love for sailing. As the children participate in these hands-on experiments, discuss the connection to the respective president and their contributions. This activity promotes scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and an understanding of how science relates to historical figures.

“Presidential Parade of Flags”:

Organize a colorful and interactive Presidential Parade of Flags. Provide preschoolers with craft materials such as colored paper, popsicle sticks, and markers. Instruct them to create their own flags by drawing symbols, writing messages, or using stickers. Once the flags are ready, organize a procession where each child proudly displays their flag. Discuss the importance of flags in representing nations and their significance in patriotic celebrations. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and an understanding of national symbols.

“Presidential Number Hunt”:

Engage preschoolers in a number recognition activity with a presidential twist. Create numeral cards featuring numbers 1 to 20 and hide them around the classroom or outdoor space. Give each child a number chart or a card with spaces to fill in. Instruct them to find and match the cards to the corresponding numbers on their chart. As they find the numbers, share interesting facts or trivia about presidents associated with those numbers (e.g., the 16th president – Abraham Lincoln). This activity enhances number recognition, counting skills, and knowledge about presidents’ orders.

“Presidential Sensory Storytelling”:

Create a multisensory storytelling experience by reading a book about presidents while engaging different senses. Select a book that features tactile elements, scents, or sound effects. For example, choose a scratch-and-sniff book about George Washington’s cherry tree or a textured book about Abraham Lincoln’s log cabin. As you read, encourage the children to touch and interact with the sensory elements, enhancing their engagement and comprehension. This activity stimulates multiple senses, supports language development, and creates a memorable storytelling experience.

“Presidential Time Travel”:

Take preschoolers on a virtual time travel adventure to explore different eras of the presidency. Use technology or visual aids to showcase pictures or videos of past presidents, significant historical events, or iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. Discuss how presidents have shaped the nation and show visuals that transport the children to different time periods. Encourage their curiosity by asking questions and allowing them to express their thoughts and reactions. This activity fosters historical understanding, critical thinking, and imaginative exploration of the past.