Children's activities for Presidents Day work best when kids make, play or build something and learn a fact along the way. This guide has 25 ideas. The first 15 are sorted by age, from preschool to middle school. The last 10 are for whole families and for seniors, so grandparents can join in.
Presidents Day 2027 falls on Monday, February 15. Most ideas below need only paper, crayons and things you already have at home.
Quick facts to share with kids
- The official federal name of the holiday is still Washington's Birthday, according to the National Archives (Prologue blog).
- George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968 moved the holiday to the third Monday in February.
- Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Many states and schools now use the day to honor both men and all U.S. presidents.
- The story of young George chopping down a cherry tree is a legend. It first appeared in the fifth edition of Mason Locke Weems's book The Life of Washington in 1806 (Mount Vernon).
Presidents Day activities for preschoolers
1. Lincoln stovepipe hat craft
Roll black construction paper into a tube and glue it to a paper circle for the brim. Kids can add a white paper band and their name. Snap a photo of each child wearing the hat.
2. Cherry tree fingerprint art
Draw a brown tree trunk on paper. Kids dip a finger in red paint and press dots onto the branches as cherries. Tell them the cherry tree story and explain that it is a legend.
3. Coin rubbing
Put a penny and a quarter under thin paper and rub with a crayon. Lincoln appears on the penny and Washington on the quarter. Ask kids to name each president.
4. Red, white and blue sensory bin
Fill a bin with dyed rice or pasta, small flags, star cutouts and play coins. Let kids scoop, sort and count. Watch younger children closely around small pieces.
5. Patriotic songs and a parade
Sing "Yankee Doodle" or "You're a Grand Old Flag" and march around the room with paper flags. No supplies needed beyond paper and crayons.
Presidents Day activities for elementary kids
6. "If I Were President" writing prompt
Ask kids to finish the sentence "If I were president, I would..." and add a drawing. Younger kids can dictate to an adult. Read the answers aloud at dinner.
7. Presidents Day word search or crossword
Make a word search with names like Washington, Lincoln, Adams and Jefferson. Free printable versions are easy to find online, or kids can make one for a sibling.
8. Build the White House from blocks or LEGO
Show kids a photo of the White House and challenge them to build it. Count the columns together and talk about who lives there.
9. Presidential coin sorting game
Give kids a jar of coins to sort by president: Lincoln (penny), Jefferson (nickel), Franklin D. Roosevelt (dime) and Washington (quarter). Then add up each pile.
10. Paper plate presidential portrait
Kids draw Washington or Lincoln on a paper plate. Cotton balls make a white wig for Washington, and black yarn makes a beard for Lincoln.
11. Cherry pie or cherry sundae snack
Bake a simple cherry pie or set up a sundae bar with cherries on top. Kids can help measure and stir, which adds a little math practice.
Presidents Day activities for older kids
12. Presidents trivia game
Write 20 questions on index cards. Try "Who was the first president?" or "Which president is on the $5 bill?" Split into teams and keep score on a whiteboard.
13. Mini research poster
Each child picks one president and makes a poster with three facts, a portrait and a quote. Hang the posters in a hallway like a museum.
14. Presidential timeline
Stretch a long strip of paper across a wall. Kids add presidents in order with the years they served, plus one big event from each term.
15. Write a letter to the current president
Kids can write about an issue they care about and mail it to The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500.
Presidents Day activities for the whole family
16. Visit a museum or presidential site
Check local history museums and presidential libraries for holiday events. If you live near Mount Vernon, Monticello or a Lincoln site, plan a day trip.
17. Family movie or read-aloud night
Pick a kid-friendly biography of Washington or Lincoln from the library and read a chapter each night of the long weekend.
18. Presidents scavenger hunt
Hide clues around the house, each with a fact about a president. The last clue leads to a small prize, such as a cherry treat.
19. Costume photo shoot
Use bathrobes, paper hats and cotton-ball wigs to dress up as presidents. Take a family photo for the fridge or a holiday card.
20. Volunteer together
Use the day to give back. Spend part of the day at a food bank, park cleanup or animal shelter that welcomes kids.
Presidents Day activities for seniors
These ideas work at home, at a senior center or during a grandparent visit. Many of them pair well with grandchildren.
21. "Name That President" game
Read a famous quote or show a photo, and players guess the president. Seniors often know the older presidents well, and kids know the recent ones.
22. Memory match with presidents' faces
Print two copies of 10 to 20 portraits on card stock and play a matching game. Use fewer cards to make it easier.
23. Share memories of past presidents
Ask seniors which presidents they remember from their childhood and what they recall about them. Kids can record the stories on a phone.
24. Presidents trivia afternoon
Run a team trivia game with mixed teams of seniors and grandkids. Keep questions short and read them aloud.
25. Patriotic sing-along
Play familiar songs like "America the Beautiful" and hand out printed lyrics. Add paper flags to wave.
Activities by age at a glance
| Age | Best ideas | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 3 to 5 | Lincoln hat, cherry tree art, coin rubbing | 15 to 30 minutes |
| Ages 6 to 10 | "If I Were President," LEGO White House, coin sorting | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Ages 11 and up | Trivia, research poster, letter to the president | 1 to 2 hours |
| Families | Scavenger hunt, museum visit, volunteering | Half a day |
| Seniors | Name That President, memory match, sing-along | 30 to 60 minutes |
Plan your Presidents Day weekend
Pick one craft, one game and one outing so the long weekend has a mix of quiet and active time. Save the crafts in a folder so kids can look back on them next year.
For holiday words to add to cards, read our funny quotes short list. For a matching family shirt for the weekend, browse our personalized embroidered gifts.
Frequently asked questions
What are easy children's activities for Presidents Day?
A Lincoln hat craft, cherry tree fingerprint art and coin rubbings take 30 minutes or less and use basic supplies.
When is Presidents Day 2027?
Monday, February 15, 2027. It always falls on the third Monday in February.
Why do we celebrate Presidents Day?
The federal holiday began as Washington's Birthday. Today many people use it to honor Washington, Lincoln and all U.S. presidents.
What supplies do I need for Presidents Day crafts?
Construction paper in red, white, blue and black, glue, crayons, paper plates, cotton balls and a few coins cover most of the crafts here.
What can seniors do on Presidents Day?
Try "Name That President," a memory match game, a trivia afternoon or a sing-along. Sharing memories of past presidents with grandchildren works well too.
Did George Washington really chop down a cherry tree?
No. Mount Vernon says the story first appeared in the fifth edition of Mason Locke Weems's biography of Washington, published in 1806.
