Regardless of political affiliation, most parents agree that knowledge of US presidential history is important for kids. Text book learning has its place, but specific apps and websites truly make learning about presidents fun and engaging. Here are some great options to get kids prepped for President’s Day.
Presidents Vs. Aliens (best for grade school kids)
Here’s a great way to learn about the U.S. Presidents while having some fun along the way. Questions about presidential facts, quotes, historical events and nicknames are given. With each correct answer, players can fling the president’s head at a group of aliens in a bowling-ball like game where the aim is to rid the screen of all aliens.
Disney American Presidents (best for grade school kids)
The app is full of historical facts about every American president, presented in a highly accessible, occasionally goofy way that kids will appreciate. Commanders in Chief can be viewed from the Presidents’ Page of the “Oval Office Scrapbook,” where kids can leaf through pages and see each presidents’ years of service, a photo or portrait, their signature, as well as fun historical facts and a video profile. Kids who are not yet proficient readers can focus on the videos, while others can read pop-up facts that are short, concise and digest-able. Unlike other history apps, Disney American Presidents has a finely calibrated tone, one where silly tidbits are skillfully woven in with more complex topics.
Killing Lincoln Conspiracy (best for middle and high school kids)
This National Geographic site is super specific to its topic, but the sheer creativity and ingenuity of its design and integration of new technology and historical events is exceptional. Students can immerse themselves in the 1860’s and the world of Wilkes Booth. Historical photos, audio, text as well as Google Street View brings the past into the present in fascinating ways. The site scrolls down, as it tracks the timeline towards Lincoln’s assassination in a completely unique way.
Ben’s Guide (best for kids 4-16)
Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government provides kids with basic lessons on U.S. Government structure. Complex topics about government are made easily digestible with the use of short blocks of text followed by simple graphics. Interactive games on the site challenges kids to identify all 50 states in the union and navigate different puzzles and mazes.
60-Second Presidents (all ages)
Short on time and knowledge of US presidents? This could be the answer. This PBS and LearningMedia collection of videos covers each of the US presidents, with each story being told in a mere 60 seconds.