Crafts: George Washington's Birthday

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On February 22, 1732, the first President of the United States of America, George Washington, was born in Virginia  (still a colony of Great Britain at the time). It is celebrated as Presidents Day on the third Monday in February.

We celebrated his birthday in our household by reading Meet George Washington by Joan Heilbroner starting on Presidents Day and continuing during lunch for the week.  My son also created a George Washington mask.

Facts about George Washington 

• first American President (April 30, 1789 - March 4, 1797) 
• surveyor 
• Commander of the Continental Army 
• President of the Constitutional Convention 
• Gentleman planter 
• married Martha Dandrige Custis (in 1759) 

During his presidency, Washington 

• established a Supreme Court
• established position of Attorney General 
• created the Department of Foreign Affairs 
• Created position of Secretary of State 
• established official currency of United States
• established what would become United States Navy 

George Washington Mask 

Materials 

• paper plate
• scissors 
• glue 
• blue construction paper
• cotton balls 
• craft stick 

Steps 

1. Gather all materials.

2. Cut out center of paper plate to create a hole for your child's face.

3. Draw and cut out hat on blue construction paper.

4. Glue on cotton balls and hat.

5. Attach craft stick on back.

6. After drying, your child can play with their mask.

A Selection of Places to Visit to Learn More 

• George Washington's Mount Vernon in Virginia 
• Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Pennsylvania 
• Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia 

Independence Hall

• Washington Crossing Historical Park in Pennsylvania 
• Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania 

Valley Forge NHP Visitor Center 

• Christ Church in Philadelphia 

Other Activities for Children 

• create a model of Mount Vernon
• sew colonial clothes 
• practice handwriting by copying out the speeches and letters of George Washington 
• create a map of the battles that Washington fought in during the Revolutionary War 

Resources

Mrs. Karle's Sight and Sound Reading List of Presidents Day Activities 
Lakeshore Presidents Day Masks 
The Lemonade Stand's Presidents Day Favorites 
George Washington's Mount Vernon 

Looking for more history?