Activities for Kids and the Family
Learn
United States Constitution for Kids
Learn
Answers to Kids Questions About the Revolutionary War
Play
iCivics Games and Videos
Play
Games for Kids to Learn About American Government
An invaluable resource for kids, parents, and teachers using online engaging games to champion non-partisan civic education, iCivics is acclaimed for its inspiring, education, and high-quality resources to educate young people at all grade levels.
Create
Compose a New Patriotic Song
Create
Design a Family Crest
Create
Color Moments in the Life of George Washington
Play
Colonial Children’s Games
Although children in Colonial times worked hard around the house or farm to help their family, when they had free time, they would frequently spend it playing games. Kids would often play outside or make simple toys with scraps of wood or cloth.
Play
More About Colonial Games for Kids
Have you ever played tag, hide-and-seek, hopscotch, yo-yo, puzzles, dominoes, marbles, pick-up sticks, jump rope, spinning tops, leapfrog, card decks, dice, and dolls? See if you can identify a few of the images on the website.
Explore
George Washington’s Home
Create
Make a Weathervane
Create
Make Jefferson Ice Cream
Play
Hands on History at Home
Use the link to access crafts and projects, activities, worksheets, interactives, and videos that can be completed independently or as a group. Several are listed here.
Play
Monticello at Home Activities
Use the link to find fun and learning activities about the live and times of Thomas Jefferson. Here are a few of them.
Create
Build Your Own Building
Thomas Jefferson was an architect, among other things. Try your hand at it with this project.
America’s Forgotten Symbol
Learn About the Liberty Tree
The Liberty Tree: America’s Forgotten Symbol
Plant a Liberty Tree
The Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston, Massachusetts near Boston Common in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, Patriots in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government at the tree. The tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American colonies, and the ground surrounding it became known as Liberty Hall. The Liberty Tree was felled in August 1775 by Loyalists led by Nathaniel Coffin Jr. or by Job Williams.
Work with Your City or School – Bury a Time Capsule
Produce a Musical About American Civics and Young People
Listen to the songs of “Americans All” and contact the composer if you are interested in performing it at your school or local theater. Judgejimgray.com
Learn to Play the Fife
Be a Civics Ambassador
The O’Connor Institute Ambassadors Civics & Debate Club (OIA) is a free, online program for 9th- through 12th-grade students presented by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy. OIA promotes the O’Connor Institute’s three pillars: civil discourse, civics education, and civic engagement. OIA allows students to demonstrate to colleges their commitment to self-improvement, extracurricular learning, and civic mindedness.
Lessons on the Revolution, the Declaration and the Constitution
Ways to Do More
Family Time
- Devote one family dinner a week to discussing our country’s founding, its government founding principles; include current events in your discussion. Make sure the kids get to talk; lectures at the dinner table won’t set well!
- Attend a city council, PTA, or other community as a family.
- Play “family democracy” together. What decisions are open to majority rule? Why or why not? How does this exercise relate to citizenship?
- Celebrate Constitution Day (September 17) together.
Books
“The American Revolution for Kids: A History with 21 Activities”
Explore
Ben’s Guide to the US Government
The inspiration for the Ben character comes from Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), who, like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, was one of the most important individuals in early colonial and United States history. As a young boy, Ben worked as an apprentice in a print shop and later went on to draft some of the Nation’s most significant documents.
Explore
Ben’s Guide to Learning Adventures
Learn about government structures, how laws are made, federal v. state governments, federally recognized tribes, and more.
Local Places to Visit
Orange County has many places to visit that offer ways to explore our county and our nation’s history.
Riley’s Farm
Over the years, Riley’s Farm has introduced millions of students to American history by “living it” for a few hours. Students get to see 18th century British soldiers, 49ers, and Civil War camp life. They act out the parts as though they were participants in the great conflicts of our past.
Knott’s Berry Farm Independence Hall
Knott’s Independence Hall is an exact, brick-by-brick replica of the original in Philadelphia. Walter Knott’s personal labor of love, it is the nation’s only exact replica of the Philadelphia landmark. Consistent with Walter Knott’s wishes, Knott’s Independence Hall remains a free-admission resource. Independence Hall is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m and is located outside Knott’s Soak City.
Bower’s Museum
For over eight decades, the Bowers Museum has evolved in many ways. From a relatively small museum focusing on Orange County history, the Bowers is now 8.6 times larger. Now it has the distinction of being the largest museum in Orange County, and one of the finest cultural arts museums in the region. Its collections, programs, and exhibitions still include Orange County history, but now reflect the demographics of Southern California by celebrating its diverse cultural makeup, with major emphasis on the fine arts of the indigenous peoples of the Americas and the Pacific.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Founded in November 1776, months after the American colonies met in Philadelphia to declare their independence from Great Britain, Mission San Juan Capistrano became the birthplace of Orange County.
Nixon Library & Museum
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