How to Teach Kids About Presidential Elections

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Presidential elections are a powerful teaching opportunity. With news coverage, debates, campaign signs, and voting season excitement, there are endless ways to help kids understand how democracy works and why civic responsibility matters. Whether you’re homeschooling, teaching in a classroom, or simply want to spark conversation at home, this guide is packed with hands-on ideas and educational tools to teach kids about presidential elections.

Presidential Elections Teaching Activities for Kids

1. Play “Race to the White House”
Make learning about the election process fun and memorable with this printable board game I created. Kids learn key steps in a campaign while racing toward the presidency! Get the Race to the White House Game here.

2. Use President Trading Cards
Another resource I created to help kids learn about the lives and leadership of past presidents. These cards are perfect for memory games, trivia practice, or research prompts. Explore the President Cards here.

3. Read Kid-Friendly Presidential Election Books

• Woodrow for President by Peter & Cheryl Barnes

• Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

• So You Want to Be President? by Judith St. George

• If I Ran for President by Catherine Stier

4. Set Up a Mock Election
Let kids experience the excitement of voting by creating a pretend ballot, polling station, and voting booth. Vote on something fun like favorite snack or book character. Check out my post on this: Presidential Election Voting Lesson for Kids

5. Learn Election Vocabulary
Teach terms like candidate, ballot, campaign, electoral college, democracy, primary, and inauguration. Create a matching game or vocabulary notebook.

6. Visit a Polling Place
If possible, take older children with you when you vote. Explain how the process works and why it’s important.

7. Write to an Elected Official
Have your child write a letter to a local or national leader about an issue that matters to them.

8. Study the Electoral College
Request a free printable electoral map from C-SPAN Classroom, or use an online version to track states and votes together.

9. Learn About Past Presidents
Choose one president per day leading up to Election Day and read a short biography or watch a kid-friendly video.

10. Lead by Example
One of the best ways to teach about voting is to vote yourself. Let your children see that you value civic engagement.

11. Create a Campaign Ad or Poster
Encourage kids to design campaign materials for a fictional candidate (or themselves!). Include a slogan, platform, and symbols.

12. Hold a Debate
Pick a simple topic (e.g., “Is chocolate better than vanilla?”) and guide kids through how to debate respectfully using facts and rebuttals.

13. Watch a Kid-Friendly Civics Video

• Schoolhouse Rock: I’m Just a Bill

• Crash Course Kids: U.S. Government and Civics (YouTube)

• BrainPOP Civics Series (subscription-based)

14. Explore Interactive Online Tools

• iCivics.org: Free games and resources for learning about government and elections

• Scholastic Election Central: Updates and activities geared toward students

15. Make an Election Process Timeline
Create a visual timeline from primaries to Inauguration Day. Include debates, conventions, Election Day, and certification of votes.