Presidential Election Kids Activities

Learning about the election process and participating in election day activities will help students become informed voters.

Teaching children about the presidential election will help them realize what makes our government special and encourage them to vote when they turn 18. The more children learn about voting at an early age, the better the chance that they will vote responsibly and become informed before they cast their ballot.

Becoming Informed

Newspapers and brochures can influence voters. NEWSPAPER image by huimin from Fotolia.com

This activity is recommended for eighth or ninth graders. If you are teaching the unit close to the election, ask students to bring in articles and propaganda about the candidates and read it. Encourage students to share what they have read. Conduct an Internet search about the information to decide if it is presented in a neutral manner. Explain that sometimes political literature is slanted to make a voter cast his ballot a particular way, so it is important to verify information when choosing a candidate. Ask students to examine political advertisements and decide how they are presenting information. Are the articles playing up the qualifications of a particular candidate, or are they saying negative things about an opposing candidate? Encourage students to research the information stated to find out the circumstances surrounding it. Let them share what they have learned with the class.

Presidential Campaigning

Students in fifth or sixth grade will enjoy this activity as they learn about how campaigning can change voters' minds. Divide students into groups and ask them to brainstorm qualities they consider most important for the ideal presidential candidate. Tell each group to create a name for their candidate and then make a poster or brochure convincing others to vote for him. After everyone has completed their project, ask each group to present it to the class. Then give students an opportunity to join a different group if they are convinced that another group's candidate is better. After the new groups are finalized, discuss how political campaigning is similar to what the groups have just completed. This activity can be modified for fourth graders by creating a list of presidential qualities as a class before children make brochures.

Presidential Issues

This lesson is appropriate for students in fifth or sixth grade. Explain to students that sometimes their incomes, whether they are male or female, their ability to pay for health care, their concerns about education and other personal concerns may influence their voting decisions. Ask students to brainstorm issues that are important in the upcoming election. Discuss the issues and why they are important with the class. Then have students read articles about the candidates so they can identify their point of view on the issues. Ask students to complete a chart that identifies each issue, whether a candidate has committed to a point of view on the issue and what position each candidate takes. When the charts are completed, discuss the differences between the candidates' viewpoints and how that might influence voters.

References

• A to Z Teacher Stuff: Elections

Resources

• Enchanted Learning: Election Worksheets and Activities