Parenting Tips

Presidents' Day is a great time to remind our children about The United States rich history. The two presidents most associated with Presidents' Day are George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as both of their birthdays are in February. There are many great educational and fun activities that can be enjoyed by school aged kids, either in the classroom or at home.

George Washington was our first president and one of the favorite stories about him is how he chopped down the cherry tree and admitted it when his father asked him about it. Why not make some cherry treats for a snack? Cherry Thumbprint Cookies are easy and fun to make. Make the dough ahead of time if working with a larger class. If you have a smaller class, let the kids help measure and mix the dough. Each child rolls the dough into small balls, and places them on a greased cookie sheet (for less mess, use baking paper). Have them push their thumb into each ball, and then place a cherry in each thumbprint. Bake following the recipe directions.

Another project that is fun and simple is finger puppets. Gather enough Lincoln pennies and Washington nickels for one each for each student. Cut squares of blue and black construction paper to make the body of each puppet. Roll each square to make a tube to fit over the fingers of the children. Tape the penny on the black tube, and the nickel on the blue. Cut a small black stovepipe hat to tape to the penny and a blue triangle hat to tape to the nickel.

A presidential game of hangman can be a fun way to learn details about both presidents. Include different important details about their lives, such as log cabin, cherry tree, Delaware River, and Mount Vernon. Once the children have discovered the words, have them they identify which word goes with which president.

Building a log cabin from twigs you gather, or popsicle sticks is another fun Presidents' Day activity. Take a small box, and cut the top on angles for the roofline, using a 45-degree angle. Draw a rectangle for the door, and cut one side and the top, to make a hinged door. Cut two square holes for windows and cover the inside of the windows with clear plastic taped in place. Glue the sticks on the sides of the box.

While the sticks are drying, cut another rectangle of cardboard large enough to make the roof. Score it down the middle (cut part way through) to allow it to bend in the middle. You can reinforce it with tape. Make a chimney on top, by using a small rectangle box, with the bottom cut to match the angel of the roof. Cut it a bit longer than you need, and fold the ends out to make flaps to attach to the roof. You can cover it with small pebbles or leave it plain. You may need hot glue to get the stones to stick to the cardboard chimney.
Glue the roof in place and add sticks to it as well, covering the chimney flaps.

Put on a skit about the presidents' lives for another class, maybe even younger students, or parents. The students can help write the skit based on the things they've learned about the presidents. They can design simple sets and costumes and practice. It will not only be fun, but help reinforce what they have learned while they practice their lines.

Presidents' Day has become a less prominent holiday over the last few years. By celebrating it and learning the history behind it, it could make it a more significant day for your family or class.