Presidents Day for Kids, Printables and Activities

Feb 16, 2012
Sara McGrath

U.S. President George Washington - nostri-imago

Enjoy some quick and easy activities to explore the origin and history of the anniversary of George Washington's birthday.

Americans observe Presidents Day annually on the third Monday in February. It used to be called Washington's Birthday, as it occurs near the anniversary of the first U.S. president's birthday on February 22, 1732. Washington's Birthday was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen.

It's About George Washington

Washington's Birthday used to be celebrated on February 22, the first president's actual birthday. In 1971, however, The Uniform Monday Holiday Act by Congress enacted the move to the nearest Monday. Other affected holidays include Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.

Coincidentally, the Act placed Washington's Birthday between George Washington's and former president Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. This gave rise to the inclusion of President Lincoln in celebrations and the popular but unofficial name change to Presidents Day.

Presidents Day Printables and Activities

Here are a few of my children's favorite president-related coloring pages and printable activity sheets suited to introducing or exploring Presidents Day.

George Washington (gif). First U.S. president for whom Presidents Day was created.
Abraham Lincoln (gif). Sixteenth U.S. president whose birthday, February 12, 1809, falls near Washington's Birthday.
Young George Washington and cherry tree (gif). Based on the "I cannot tell a lie" legend.
Presidents Day mini book (jpg). Features Presidents Washington and Lincoln.
George Washington's Rules of Civility copywork. This was part of George Washington's childhood education.
Mount Rushmore (gif). Featuring former U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Barack Obama (gif). Current U.S. president.

More Ways to Celebrate Presidents Day

Presidents Day Preschool Activities. Celebrate through art and simple picture books.
Presidents Day Lessons. Presidential facts to enliven the day.
Lesson Ideas for Presidents Day. Learn about each president.
Presidents Day in the Classroom. Learn about America's rich heritage of leaders.
Presidents Day Cherry Feast. Learn about the cherry tree legend with a cherry feast.
Presidents Day Writing Prompts. Inspire kids to write about Presidents Day.
Presidents Day Crafts. Think about what makes a good leader.
Music for Presidents Day. Investigate investigate Aaron Copland's "Lincoln's Portrait" and the album "George Washington: Music for the First President."

Whether or not Presidents Day is a day off for you, you can take advantage of the above quick and convenient activities that help kids explore the American history around this national holiday.

Sources:

Ken. "It's NOT Presidents Day." Don't Know Much About, 16 Feb 2012.

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