What to teach your kids on Presidents Day

For some kids, Presidents Day simply means a day off of school. Give the day more meaning for them with these age-appropriate lessons.

Easy Presidents Day lessons for kids

The federal holiday — Washington's Birthday (often called Presidents Day) — falls on the third Monday of February. It honors George Washington, our nation’s first president, for his birthday on Feb. 22. However, in some states the holiday has also come to honor second president Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday was Feb. 12. And in other states, the holiday honors Thomas Jefferson, our third president, even though his birthday isn’t until April 13, and doesn’t include celebrating Lincoln’s birthday. Yet other states recognize all three on this day.

Each of these presidents has an important legacy in our nation’s history so you can create some fun lessons for kids about any or all of them.

George Washington could not tell a lie, and as a young boy, admitted to his father that he chopped down his father’s favorite cherry tree. Draw a cherry tree with your child as you discuss the importance of honesty.

Children and lying: Age-appropriate advice >>

Beyond his childhood, Washington was a respected war hero. He spent a great deal of time surveying the wilderness and creating maps for his soldiers.

Abraham Lincoln is best known for his role in abolishing slavery in the United States. Teach your children the importance of Lincoln’s impact on our country today thanks to this initiative. You can tie in lessons about Martin Luther King, who similarly advocated for African Americans in his day, and teach them why it is important to speak up for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves.

This pop star is using her celebrity status to stop bullying >>

For a fun craft, make tall top hats like Lincoln wore out of construction paper.

Thomas Jefferson was known for many things — including penning the Declaration of Independence and organizing the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804.

But your children may be more interested in the new foods he introduced to the country — waffles, ice cream and macaroni. He was also the first person in America to grow a tomato, as prior to that tomatoes were believed to be poisonous.

Create a winter garden with kids >>

In honor of Jefferson, try a new food, take your kids out for waffles or ice cream (or kill two birds with one stone by getting ice cream in waffle cones), plant tomato seeds or arrange a fun scavenger hunt and go exploring around your neighborhood.

Other ways to commemorate Presidents Day with your kids:

• Teach your kids all the presidents’ names in order of their service.
• Ask your children what they would do first if they became president.
• Get out some money and talk about the presidents featured on coins and dollar bills.
• Give your kids a mini history lesson about the significance of Mount Rushmore.

More lessons for kids

Inspiring kids to learn history
Teaching kids to embrace diversity and be inclusive
How to teach kids the value of hard work