President’s Day Activities Improve Learning and Writing Skills

February is the month with two President’s birthdays. First, Lincoln’s Birthday was February 12th and then Washington’s Birthday is February 22nd. We celebrate both birthdays on President’s Day, February 17th.

George Washington is the first US President. He became president after the Revolutionary War. This is the perfect time to do a few craft activities in commemoration of these two US Presidents. These activities also improve several areas of vision perception and tactile-kinesthetic perception. This way we can learn, improve learning skills, and have a good time too.

Two President’s Day Activities for Younger Students

Make a miniature US Flag from craft sticks.

This is a fun activity that celebrates the first US flag. Obviously, this flag won’t have the original 13 stripes representing the 13 colonies and the 50 stars representing all 50 states, so, you will want to mention that.

Most people attribute the design of the first US Flag to Betsy Ross. That flag is known as the Betsy Ross Flag. However, there is a lot of evidence that the first flag was actually designed by Congressman Francis Hopkinson.

Make a Log Cabin Out of Craft Sticks

Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin in Illinois. Another fun President’s Day activity is to make a log cabin out of craft sticks.

For a bit more history, Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky and spent a short time in Indiana before moving to Illinois as a boy. He worked on a farm, split rails for fences, worked in a store, was a captain in the Black Hawk War, and worked as a lawyer. Eventually, Lincoln became our 16th president. He was the president during the Civil War. Lincoln is known for being the Great Emancipator.

President’s Day Activities for Older Students

Write a compare and contrast paragraph or essay on one of the following topics:

• Boyhood of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
• Early adult life of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
• Historic time/setting during the 5 years before George Washington and Abraham Lincoln became president
• Major accomplishments of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

Use the Compare/Contrast fill-in-the-blank graphic organizing form from Ten Minutes to Better Writing and Study Skills to make this easy!