American Holidays Teaching Resources
Explore the American holidays that shape US society with printable worksheets, bulletin board sets, digital centers, crafts and more elementary teaching resources created by teachers for teachers just like you!
This social studies teaching collection is curriculum-aligned and features resources that have been carefully reviewed and selected by the Teach Starter teacher team members for inclusion. That means that every resource is ready for your lesson planning, your classroom and your students!
New to teaching this section of social studies? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
Why Is It Important for Kids to Learn About Holidays?
Ever wondered why we include holidays in the long list of social studies standards? Visiting the days that we, as Americans, set aside to celebrate is an important way to help our students understand the shared experiences and traditions that unite communities.
As we help shape the nation's future citizenry, looking at the historical context of celebrations from Presidents' Day to Memorial Day to Labor Day offers kids an opportunity to explore significant moments and figures that have shaped the United States while approaching the topics from a different — and often more approachable — angle. After all, many of our students have marked these holidays since before they even entered school, providing them with a familiarity that can spark enhanced interest in learning about the what, when and why of these important days.
U.S. Patriotic Holidays
American holidays are an integral part of the country's culture and heritage, so what are some of the holidays that you might broach in your social studies classes? Here are a few that would fall under the patriotic holiday umbrella.
- Independence Day (Fourth of July) — Steeped in history, July 4th celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.
- Memorial Day — This May date honors and remembers the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
- Veterans Day — This November patriotic holiday honors all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
- Flag Day — Celebrated in June, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777.
- Presidents' Day — Celebrating the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Presidents' Day honors all past and present U.S. presidents.
- Constitution Day — This September holiday recognizes the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.
- Patriot Day — This solemn patriotic holiday commemorates the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honors the victims and heroes of that day. It's often marked as a national day of service.
- Armed Forces Day — This date in May (celebrated just before Memorial Day) recognizes and honors the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day — Another day with deep history, this date observes the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and pays tribute to the lives lost.
- D-Day — An important day in both American and world history, D-Day commemorates the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. It honors the bravery and sacrifice of the troops involved in the operation.
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Constitution Day - Poster Template
Demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution Day holiday in the United States with a Constitution Day poster project.
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Veterans Day Crafts - Soldier Bear Template
Create the perfect Veteran’s Day bulletin board with our Veteran’s Day Soldier Bear Craft activity.
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United States Patriotic Symbols - Holiday Worksheets
Build and write sentences about patriotic holidays in the United States with a group of six holiday sentence-building worksheets.
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Veterans Day Thank You Card and Craft
Show military veterans your appreciation with a Veterans Day Card amd Banner Craft activity.
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Constitution Day Writing Craftivity
Create a Constitution Day bulletin board with a writing and craft activity for primary grades.
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Patriot Day Vocabulary Cards and Writing Center
Increase vocabulary and build background knowledge about Patriot Day (September 11th) with a set of vocabulary word wall cards and writing worksheets.
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Patriot Day Writing Craftivity
Celebrate important heroes with this Patriot Day writing prompt and craft.
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Constitution Day Mini Book
Learn about Constitution Day in the United States with a Constitution Day mini-book for early readers.
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My Little Veterans Day Coloring Book
Engage your little learners and build vocabulary skills with a printable Veterans Day Coloring Book.
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Veterans Day Art Project - Collaborative Poppy Quilt
Create a poppy craft to display on Veterans Day with a printable collaborative quilt template.
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Veterans Day Vocabulary Cards and Writing Center
Help your kindergartners and first graders understand the meaning of Veterans Day with a Veterans Day Write the Room display.
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Memorial Day Craft - Printable Bracelets
Create a wearable Memorial Day bracelet with these printable wrist bands.
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Presidents' Day Trivia - Clip Card Center
Review and summarize concepts in relation to Presidents’ Day with a fun set of Presidents’ Day trivia clip cards.
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Presidents' Day Digital Centers
Celebrate Presidents’ Day with a digital math and literacy activity deck for kindergarten and first grade.
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Presidents' Day Sorting Activity
Engage your learners in Presidents’ Day activities with a printable sorting center about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
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Presidents' Day Writing Prompts
Celebrate Presidents’ Day and your growing writers with writing worksheets for Kindergarten and first grade.
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Presidents' Day Bingo
Identify symbols associated with Presidents’ Day with this Bingo game.
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Presidents' Day Word Wall Vocabulary
Read, write, and learn about the Presidents' Day holiday with the help of a Presidents' Day word wall!
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President's Day Snap Cube Center
Create a snap cube station for your February Math Centers with a printable set of Presidents’ Day snap cube cards.
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Illustrated Word Wall — Presidential Words for Presidents' Day
Learn about Presidents’ Day vocabulary with an illustrated presidential word wall for elementary grades.
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Presidents' Day Craft - If I Were President
Learn about Presidents’ Day with an “If I Were President” writing and craft activity.
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Labor Day Poster Project
Demonstrate learning about the Labor Day holiday with a fun poster project.
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President's Day Poster Template
Show what you know about Presidents’ Day with a printable Presidents’ Day Poster Template.
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Columbus Day Poster Template
Demonstrate learning about Christopher Columbus and his worldly explorations with a printable Columbus Day Poster template.
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Veterans Day Poster Template
Discover the history behind Veterans Day with a printable poster template for primary students.
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Memorial Day Writing Center
Help your young students understand the meaning of Memorial Day with a vocabulary lesson and Memorial Day writing prompts.
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Veterans Day Google Interactive
Click, drag, and drop to learn about Veterans Day and the branches of the U.S. military with a Google Interactive activity.
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Memorial Day Word Search - Primary
Build vocabulary skills with this Memorial Day word search for primary grades.
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Labor Day Mini Book
Learn about Labor Day with a primary-level printable book.
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Independence Day ABC Order Worksheet
Support your students in reviewing the vocabulary and concepts surrounding the Independence Day holiday with this fun ABC Order Worksheet.
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Veterans Day Printable Book
Read and write about Veterans Day with a printable mini-book for primary readers.
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Memorial Day Writing Craftivity
Remember and celebrate important heroes with this Memorial Day writing prompt and craft.