Election Day is almost here! This week I took my three and four year olds with me to early vote. They had SO MANY questions. Maybe your kids do too.
Here are five Election Day activities to help your kids understand and get excited about exercising our most important right as U.S. citizens!
Hold a Family Election
Kids love to vote. And the great news is you can put pretty much anything up for a vote! Pizza or tacos? Vote on it! Cookies or brownies? Vote on it! We added some simple ideas onto a ballot for you to print out, but if you want to come up with your own “issues” to bring to a vote, we’ve got a printable for that too!
Make Pretend Campaign Signs
During election season, your kids may notice colorful campaign signs all over your community. Why not pretend your kids are running for something and have them make their own? My elementary-aged kids loved it! We threw their photos onto some campaign signs and had a blast coming up with their slogans!
While you make the signs, you can talk to your kids about why campaign signs are even a thing. Did you know studies have shown that during a close race, campaign signs can make a huge difference?
Here’s a few campaign signs you can print out and personalize… or head to Canva to design your own!
Take Your Kids with You to Vote
When I told my neighbor I’d be taking my three and four-year-olds to vote with me, he said, “Is that appropriate?” Yes, yes and YES!!! Our kids need to witness how democracy works. They always have so many questions about what voting is, why we do it, and who I was voting for… it opened up such a good discussion, even though they are young. I even let them help me press the “cast your ballot” button at the end. Never deny your children a chance to see democracy in action!
Read Books about Democracy and Elections
For Older Kids:
There are so many resources available to help kids learn about voting. Here are some books we own for younger and older kids that help explain voting and elections in a fun but educational way. For even more books about elections that we’ve read and love, click here.
A Vote is a Powerful Thing by Courtney Dawson
Equality’s Call by Deborah Diesen
When You Grow up to Vote by Eleanor Roosevelt
For Younger Kids:
Go Vote Baby by Nancy Lambert
What Can a Citizen Do by Dave Eggers
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
V is for Voting by Kate Farrell
Watch the returns/Election night coverage.
Brittany’s kids are fascinated watching the returns roll in on Election Night. With each new projected winner, she explains to them what it means for that state or our nation. This is a great way to engage older kids and get them excited to vote. Even younger kids can find it interesting too if you let them in on what’s going on!
Give one of these ideas a try and then tag us @theamericanmoms on Instagram so we can see! Happy Voting!
