Our future voters have a lot to learn about the election season, and Election Day is an important day to see how our U.S. government operates. On Nov. 3, after you’ve finished voting, focus on a craft, game or lesson to help your child learn more. Here are some Election Day activities for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Toddlers & Preschoolers
Read a book about voting.
There are plenty books to read with your little political activist. Head to the library and check out some books related to voting. For younger kids, you can read Future President, V Is for Voting, Sofia Valdez, Future Prez and The President of the Jungle.
Listen to a song about voting.
Put together a playlist of voting songs to help younger kids understand the concepts. Some of our favorites include PBS Kids, Sesame Street and Hip Hop Harry. If you’re looking for a local musician, early childhood music teacher, Miss Katie Sings, wrote a new voting song that will have the whole family dancing along.
Elementary School
Keep track of election night.
Older kids can start watching election night news to see how the electoral college works in action. We suggest printing out this election coloring map from blogger Urban Bliss Life. Kids can watch along and color in the states in red or blue. Tip: Record the news when the polling results go past their bedtime, so they can continue the activity.
Make cookies.
Celebrate Election Day with food! These patriotic cookies from blogger Finding Debra also make a sweet snack for election night watching. Plus, all you need are Oreos, chocolate melts and a few decorating tools to make it a quick dessert recipe.
Tweens & Teens
Craft a voting pin.
Is it your first time your teen will be voting in the election? Make these “I Voted” pins from Buzzfeed Nifty to celebrate this special moment. Even if they’re a few years shy of the voting age, your tweens and teens can still make these pins.
Play Election Night.
The entire family can learn more about the U.S. electoral college by playing the strategy board game, Election Night. The color-coded maps are designed like the Electoral College as each player must use skills like math and geography to get the most votes in the presidential race.
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