President’s Day & honoring Springfield’s most famous resident’s Birthday too! Here are some ideas to stay warm and cozy inside.
Activities/Games/Crafts
- Throw a birthday party for our honored presidents – Mr. Abe Lincoln and George Washington themselves. February 12th is Lincoln’s birthday and February 22nd is George Washington’s birthday. Dress like Abe or George or a little of both. Wear a hat like Lincoln wore. Wear a wig like Washington wore. Or make food they might have eaten. Use your imagination. The kids will just think it’s a hoot to throw a party.
- Play the money game – try to guess which President is on what coin or dollar bill. Either play for treats or maybe for even the money that is guessed correctly. Now there’s motivation for learning the Presidents!
- Fun Fact on the 1sts or the 16s – Put together fun facts about our first President George Washington and our 16th President Abraham Lincoln. So for every time the clock is on the 1st minute or 16th minute, share a fun fact. You can expound on this if need be to include other presidents if they kids really get into this idea.
- Make black hats or wigs. For the black hats just use black construction paper. For wigs use old rag mops. Then put on a play. Or talk about the Presidents.
- Teach your kids the words to God Bless America or My Country ‘Tis of Thee or the Star Spangled Banner.
- Do a word search or a coloring page.
- Start planning a real (or imaginary!) vacation now to Mt. Rushmore. Have the kids research it. Put maps together and talk about how the monument came to be.
Above all, have fun. When kids see you having fun with history, learning can only be a positive!
Happy Celebrating!
Submitted by Springfield Moms contributor and Advisory Board member Allison Klint.
