Celebrating Election Day with Kids: Fun Ideas for Building Civic Awareness and Family Memories
Election Day is a fantastic opportunity to introduce kids to the importance of civic engagement, democracy, and the value of voting. Celebrating the day in fun, educational ways can spark their curiosity about the world and help them understand that their voice matters, even at a young age. Here are some creative ideas to make Election Day enjoyable and meaningful for kids of all ages!
1. Host a Family Voting Session
Mini Family Election: Set up a ballot box and voting booth in your home, then hold a mini-election on fun topics. Let the kids vote on things like what to have for dinner, which movie to watch, or even a family game for the evening.
Creating Campaigns: Let each family member “campaign” for their choices, encouraging kids to create posters, slogans, and short speeches to make their case. This activity can help them understand how candidates advocate for their ideas and convince others.
Election Results Announcement: After everyone has voted, tally the results and announce the “winner.” Celebrating the process and respecting the outcome—win or lose—can help kids appreciate the value of fair elections.
2. Election-Themed Crafts
DIY Voter Badges: Help kids create “I Voted” badges or stickers using paper, markers, and stickers. They can wear these on Election Day, just like real voters, helping them feel part of the experience.
Flag Crafting: Celebrate Election Day with some patriotic flair. Have kids make their own American flags using craft paper, crayons, or even finger paints. This is a great way to talk about what the flag represents and why it’s a symbol of freedom and democracy.
Decorate a Polling Station: If you’re planning a family voting session, let the kids get involved by decorating the “polling station” with banners, balloons, and other Election Day-themed decorations. You could even have them set up a “check-in” station where family members can “register” to vote!
3. Educational Voting Games
Election Bingo: Create a bingo card with words like “vote,” “ballot,” “campaign,” “democracy,” and “president.” Listen to the news or watch an educational video about elections, and every time one of these words is mentioned, kids can mark it off on their card. Offer a small prize for the first person to get bingo!
Matching Game: Print out photos of famous presidents and vice-presidents or other historic figures. Create cards with facts about each one, then have kids match the person to their achievement or important historical fact. This is a fun, interactive way for kids to learn about influential leaders and key historical moments.
Voting Maze or Word Search: Design a maze or word search that includes terms like “ballot,” “campaign,” “vote,” and “election.” These simple activities are perfect for younger children and help them get familiar with basic voting vocabulary.
4. Storytime with Election-Themed Books
Read Books About Voting and Democracy: Books are a great way to introduce young children to big concepts in an age-appropriate way. Consider reading books like Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, Vote! by Eileen Christelow, or Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio. Each of these books provides a fun, engaging way for kids to understand the election process and the importance of participating in it.
Create Your Own Election Story: After reading, encourage kids to make their own election story. Ask them to imagine what they would do if they were president or had to campaign for a cause they believe in. This can help them consider what leadership means and how elections are a way to make positive changes.
5. Cook Election Day Treats Together
Red, White, and Blue Treats: Get in the spirit by making patriotic snacks. Try red, white, and blue popsicles, cupcakes, or fruit skewers with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries.
Decorate Cookies with Election Themes: Bake a batch of cookies and let kids decorate them with election-themed designs. They can use colored icing to make flags, stars, or “I Voted” badges.
Pretzel Ballot Boxes: Use a small box as a “ballot box” and fill it with pretzel sticks as “ballots.” This fun twist on a snack lets kids cast “votes” for their favorite treats or activities throughout the day.
6. Organize a Neighborhood or Class Election
Neighborhood Voting on Fun Choices: Work with neighbors or friends to set up a friendly neighborhood or class election. Maybe the vote could be on choosing a neighborhood mascot, a theme for a future gathering, or a neighborhood activity for the kids.
Classroom Campaigns: If you’re a teacher, consider assigning kids roles in a mock election. Each child can take on a role, such as candidate, campaign manager, or poll worker. This is a great way to teach kids about the electoral process in a hands-on way.
Community Impact Projects: Encourage kids to vote on a simple community project they can help with, like cleaning up a park or decorating a community board. This can help them understand the impact of collective decisions and the importance of contributing to the community.
7. Watch an Educational Film or Video
Kid-Friendly Election Videos: Watch educational videos about elections. Platforms like YouTube Kids have short videos that explain the electoral process, the role of the president, and why voting matters. Check out educational series like Schoolhouse Rock! with episodes like I’m Just a Bill or Presidential Minute for bite-sized, engaging insights.
Documentary for Older Kids: For older children, consider watching a kid-friendly documentary that provides insight into historical elections or the work of presidents. Some documentaries are specifically designed to make history accessible and engaging for young viewers.
8. Plan a Visit to a Local Voting Site
Tour a Polling Place: If possible, take your kids to a polling station to see the process in action. While they can’t go into voting booths, they can see people lining up to vote and participate in the excitement of Election Day.
Thank a Poll Worker: Encourage your kids to thank poll workers, showing them that these individuals are a crucial part of the democratic process. This teaches kids the value of service and gives them a tangible connection to the election process.
Volunteer Together (for Older Kids): Some communities allow teens to volunteer at polling places. For families with older kids, this can be an incredibly educational experience that deepens their understanding of the logistics and importance of voting.
9. Create a Voting Time Capsule
Document Your Day: Record memories from your family’s Election Day activities, such as photos, craft projects, and a short note from each family member about what they learned or enjoyed. Place everything in a time capsule and open it on the next Election Day!
Election Predictions: Have everyone in the family make predictions about the election’s outcome or the future. Ask kids what they think the country might look like in four years and write these predictions down. This can be a fun way to spark conversations about hopes and expectations for the future.
Celebrating Election Day with kids can be a memorable, enjoyable experience that instills a sense of civic responsibility and respect for the democratic process. Through creative games, crafts, and family activities, children can learn that their voice matters and that every vote counts. By making Election Day an engaging event, you’re nurturing future generations to be active, informed citizens who value the impact they can make.
