On the 15th of April, the USA will celebrate Patriot’s Day once again. It’s an annual historical holiday observed by several states in the country. It’s important for kids to learn the history and the meaning of the holiday. And our Patriot Day activities for kids will surely help with this!
History is an important part of kids’ education, given its power to shape children’s perception and how they feel about their home country. In this article, we’ll briefly talk about the history that’s celebrated through Patriot’s Day, share some memorable facts, and propose several Patriot Day activities that families can enjoy together. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
What’s the Meaning of Patriot’s Day?
Patriot’s Day (different from Patriot Day on September 11) is an annual state holiday in Maine, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and North Dakota – also encouraged in Florida. It honors the first battles of the American Revolution that eventually led to American independence from Great Britain. While the 4th of July celebrates the day when the independence of America was proclaimed with the Declaration of Independence, the 19th of April is the actual date when the first battles took place in 1775.
For these reasons, the day is also known as the “Lexington Day” or “Concord Day,” both of which were later simply referred to as Patriot’s Day.
Just like the names suggest, the first military engagements that marked the start of the American Revolutionary War were the Battles of Lexington and Concord (also known as the Battle of Menotomy) fought on April 19, 1775, in today’s Arlington, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts was the first state to declare a state holiday in honor of these battles, declaring a Patriot’s Day in 1894. However, today Patriot’s Day is celebrated every year on the third Monday in April.
How is Patriot’s Day Observed?
Usually, the holiday is observed by re-enactments of the battles. This is a serious organization where a lot of people participate and they fully commit to their role. In Lexington, it’s not uncommon to see the re-enactors parade through the streets and call out warnings about the battle that’s about to happen. However, due to the pandemic, these events will probably be canceled.
Traditionally, there are also a lot of sporting events being held on this day. The Boston Marathon is an annual tradition on the 19th of April that started in 1897. In fact, the marathon is so consistently observed that through the years the holiday also became known as “Marathon Monday.”
Patriot Day Activities for Kids
We’ve already shared some links when discussing the meaning and history of the holiday, which you can use to teach kids about the history behind Patriot’s Day! So, in the following paragraphs, we’ll break down some fun ways in which kids can learn more about Patriot’s Day, as well as some outdoorsy and creative activities that can break the monotony.
Learn The History
As we’ve seen, Patriot’s Day is a historical holiday, which means that learning about the history of the honored battles gives this holiday a deeper meaning. Plus, it’s the only way to truly explain to kids what this holiday is all about. And, if you want to be sure they’ll grasp the meaning, here are three different teaching approaches.
Use Worksheet Packs
Worksheets are fun! They’re also easy to read, engaging, and educational. By teaching through worksheets, kids will gain knowledge in a more subtle way without being intimidated or resistant by big books on a school day off! For those who actually have to go to school on Patriot’s Day, teachers can turn the lectures into a memorable story about the fascinating battles that freed America! Then, they can use the worksheet bundles to help kids consolidate the knowledge.
Best of all, whether you’re a teacher or a homeschooling parent, you don’t have to put in extra work and waste precious time! All of our worksheets are ready to use and downloadable with just one click.
For Patriot’s Day, we have a 19-page bundle with key facts and information, famous patriots such as Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and some interesting filling in the gaps and guessing games.
Watch Videos, Documentaries, or Movies
For visual learners, we have other things to share! Since the Battles of Lexington and Concord, as well as the American Revolutionary War as a whole, are such important events in American history, there are a myriad of educational videos, documentaries, and movies made about them. Here are our favorites!
“April Morning” 1988 Lexington/Concord – American Revolution Movie
“An excellent representation of the events on Lexington Green and the fighting during the retreat from Concord-based on the book “April Morning,” by Howard Fast”
American revolution, Battles of Lexington and Concord History Animation Film
“Historically accurate minifigures for American Revolution turned into an 11-minute film narrated by Peter Baker”
Subscribe to KidsKonnect on YouTube →Battles of Lexington and Concord by Encyclopediacc
Patriots Day (2017)
“American action thriller film about the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013 and the subsequent terrorist manhunt.”
Read Books About Patriot’s Day
Books are still many parents’ and teachers’ go-to resource when they want to introduce a new topic to children. So, here are our top picks for kids when teaching them about Patriot’s Day and related events in the American Revolutionary War.
- Colonial Voices: Hear them Speak by Kay Winters
- George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer
- Let it Begin Here: Lexington and Concord: First Battles of the American Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin
- Scarlet Stockings Spy by Trinka Hakes Noble
- The Story of Patriot’s Day, Lexington and Concord, April 19, 1775: With Poems Brought Out On the First Observation of the Anniversary Holiday, and the Forms in Which It Was Celebrated by George Jones Varney
Run a Marathon
We’ve mentioned that alongside Patriot’s Day, the Boston Marathon is a major tradition that’s celebrated on the 19th of April. Whether you decide to participate in the marathon for real or simply organize a hike or a run around the neighborhood, it’s a nice way to commemorate this day. This way the child will get their daily recommended physical activity and they’ll learn something interesting along the way. After all, there are many ways to honor a holiday without actually learning about history in a traditional setting.
Let Kids Express Their Thoughts and Feelings Through Art
Finally, the last recommendation for fun Patriot Day activities is something educational, yet creative! Can history be creative? Sure!
After introducing kids to the history behind Patriot’s Day, they can express their thoughts and feelings about it through art! Gather some art supplies and ask them to visually represent their idea of more abstract concepts related to this holiday.
For instance, you can ask them to draw freedom, the beginning of Independent America, what America signifies to them, or how they imagine life in the past.
This is great feedback which can show you how your child or students think or feel about the past, their country, and whether they understand the concepts you’ve introduced. Plus, it might turn out a great drawing, too, which you can hang as a decoration in your educational corner!
Before You Leave
We trust that you liked our Patriot Day activities for kids and have a clearer idea of how to organize the day! Hopefully, next year we’ll be able to make a more comprehensive guide including group activities and outdoorsy sports competitions. For now, it’s good to have educational alternatives that kids enjoy!
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