You can’t dive deep into a study about our bid for independence from Britain without including some great hands-on Revolutionary War activities. You’ll also love my page American Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook 1775 – 1783.
The Revolutionary War was a major turning point in America’s bid for freedom and showed the rest of the world that they could defeat a foreign power and it forged a nation.
There were many pivotal moments leading up to and during the war like – The Stamp Act, The Townshend Acts, The Boston Massacre, The Coercive Acts, the British attacks on coastal towns, and of course the Boston Tea Party
When brainstorming activities for the Revolutionary War I immediately thought of the Boston Tea Party and this science activity that gives a nod to the famous Boston Tea Party.
It is amazing tea bag rocket science.
All you will need are basic supplies you have at home, and it is quick to set up as well as complete activity.
You may as well go ahead and write off the whole box of tea.
It’s such a fun and amazing science experiment that your kids will want to do it over and over.
8 Facts about the American Revolutionary War
First, add some facts about the American Revolutionary War.
- The American Revolution was the conflict that led to the 13 American colonies of Great Britain gaining their freedom.
- American soldiers were known as Minutemen because they were trained to be prepared to fight” at a moment’s notice.
- The American Revolution was also called the United States War of Independence or American Revolutionary War.
- A female patriot by the name of Deborah Sampson joined the Continental Army by disguising herself as Robert Shurtleff and managed to avoid detection for two years. She received an honorable discharge and an entire military pension.
- There were 200 original copies of the Declaration of Independence printed by John Dunlap, printer. All 56 members of the Second Continental Congress signed one copy, which is still on display at the National Archives.
- They made top-secret messages using ferrous sulfate and water. Dr. James Jay developed an “invisible ink” that was used for hidden messages and dried clear, making it impossible to read. Held over a heat source it became visible.
- Revere’s total distance was about 12.5 miles and probably lasted about 15 minutes, going from North Boston to Lexington, Massachusetts.
- The end of the American Revolution came in the form of the Paris Treaty of 1783.
Also, you’ll love some of the books about the American Revolution.
I always lean toward living books first and add a variety for different reading levels.
Books and Resources for Kids Who Love Learning About the American Revolution
Add some of these books to your library or learning day for your kids.
There are two sides to every story. Rosalyn Schanzer's engaging and wonderfully illustrated book brings to life both sides of the American Revolution. The narrative introduces anew the two enemies, both named George: George Washington, the man who freed the American colonies from the British, and George III, the British king who lost them. Two leaders on different sides of the Atlantic, yet with more in common than we sometimes acknowledge. We are lead through their story, and the story of their times, and see both sides of the arguments that divided the colonies from the Kingdom. Was King George a "Royal Brute" as American patriots claimed? Or was he, as others believed, "the father of the people?" Was George Washington a scurrilous traitor, as all the king's supporters claimed? Or should we remember and celebrate him as "the father of his country?" Who was right? History teaches us that there are two sides to every story.
Caleb's father is serving with the militia as the longstanding tensions erupt into open war against the British, up and down the length of Lake Champlain. Between his duties on the family farm and constant worry about his father's safety, the young man's attentions are already fully occupied when a fateful encounter with an unlikely neighbor changes everything. Pulled into new intrigues and new friendships, Caleb finds himself on a path that changes his life - and which will affect the outcome of the whole war.
"No Taxation without Representation!" The Boston Tea Party stands as an iconic event of the American Revolution—outraged by the tax on tea, American colonists chose to destroy the tea by dumping it into the water! Learn all about the famed colonialists who fought against the British Monarchy, and read about this act of rebellion from our history! With black-and-white illustrations throughout and sixteen pages of photos, the Boston Tea party is brought to life!
Madeleine Verchère's story is based on a true account of colonial French Canada of the 1690's. Harassed by Iroquois, the Verchère family's fort must keep a continual guard. Fourteen-year-old Madeleine is left alone with two younger brothers and few others when the Indians attack. We follow the brave and determined stratagems of Madeleine and her small circle. Madeleine's youthful leadership, especially of her brothers,
will win the reader's admiration.
Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler is marked by suspicion and disapproval from the moment she arrives on the unfamiliar shores of colonial Connecticut in 1687. Alone and desperate, she has been forced to leave her beloved home on the island of Barbados and join a family she has never met. Torn between her quest for belonging and her desire to be true to herself, Kit struggles to survive in a hostile place. Just when it seems she must give up, she finds a kindred spirit. But Kit’s friendship with Hannah Tupper, believed by the colonists to be a witch, proves more taboo than she could have imagined and ultimately forces Kit to choose between her heart and her duty.
Fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain, an apprentice silversmith with a bright future ahead of him, injures his hand in a tragic accident, forcing him to look for other work. In his new job as a horse-boy, riding for the patriotic newspaper The Boston Observer and as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty, he encounters John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Dr. Joseph Warren.
Soon Johnny is involved in the pivotal events of the American Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to the first shots fired at Lexington. Powerful illustrations by artist Michael McCurdy help bring this classic novel for middle graders to life. "This sweeping tale of redcoats and revolutionaries has a lot to offer. Forbes, a historian, writes with detail and precision, imbuing historical events with life and passion that is often lacking in textbooks."
When Matt's father leaves him on his own to guard their new cabin in the wilderness, Matt is scared but determined to be brave and prove that he can take care of himself. And things are going fine until a white stranger steals his gun, leaving Matt defenseless and unable to hunt for his food.
It began in Boston, with angry colonists objecting to the tyranny of a king who ruled from an ocean away.
It was voiced by patriots such as Sam Adams and Patrick Henry and echoed by citizens from New England all the way to the Carolinas.
It was fought by many -- colonists and patriots, Loyalists and slaves, Frontiersmen and Indians, British and French soldiers.
Over more than ten years, sides were taken, guns drawn, lives lost. But through it all, one man -- a general from Virginia named George Washington -- held the young colonies together and led them to victory, beating almost impossible odds.
History lovers Betsy and Giulio Maestro tell this true story of extraordinary times, incredible drama, and the birth of a new nation.
This ongoing series introduces our country's history to young readers in an appealing picture-book format. Clear, simple texts combine with informative, accurate illustrations to help young people develop an
understanding of America's past and present.
The New Americans is the story of the colonists -- the more than two hundred thousand new Americans -- who came over from Europe and struggled to build a home for themselves in a new world.
History comes alive in this gripping account of a young boy caught up in the start of the Revolutionary War. Based on an episode in National Book Award–winning author Nathaniel Philbrick’s New York Times bestseller Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution, this engrossing story allows readers to experience history from a child’s perspective, and Wendell Minor’s stunning paintings will transport readers back to the early days of the Revolutionary War. Benjamin Russell is in school on the morning of April 19th, 1775, when his teacher announces, “The war’s begun, and you may run!” Ben knew this day was coming; after all, tensions had been mounting between the colonists and the British troops ever since the Boston Tea Party. And now they have finally reached the breaking point. Ben and his friends excitedly rush out of their classroom to bear witness, and follow the throngs of redcoats marching out of Boston toward Concord. Much to Ben’s surprise, Boston is sealed off later that day—leaving the boys stuck outside the city, in the middle of a war, with no way to reach their families. But Ben isn’t worried—he’s eager to help the Patriots! He soon becomes a clerk to the jovial Israel Putnam, a general in the provincial army. For months he watches the militia grow into an organized army, and when the Battle of Bunker Hill erupts, Ben is awed by the bravery of the Patriots, although saddened by the toll war takes. He later goes on to become an apprentice at a Revolutionary newspaper, and it’s a happy day when they get to report on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Then add some of the fun hands-on activities to learn about the American Revolution.
10 American Revolutionary War Activities
- Scroll down to find the DIY Spy Cypher and be as clever and mysterious as a spy.
- American Revolution Unit Study and Lapbook 1775 – 1783.
- Cook Recipes from Revolutionary War for Children: Honey-Jumble Cookies to improve reading, following directions, and of course, learning an ever-important life skill.
- A fun art project is Paul Revere’s Ride and 2 If By Sea Lanterns symbolizing his important ride to notify patriots that the British were on the way.
- Make Revolutionary War Shoeboxes, a simple diorama that helps give a feel for an event.
- Watch School House Rock Shot Heard Round the World America Rock.
- Put together a Revolutionary War Timeline to see the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.
- Print the Revolutionary Word Search, Crosswords, and vocabulary sheets to familiarize your child with terms like Stamp Act, Sons of Liberty, etc.
- Create Paul Revere Puppets as you teach about his wild ride and the part he played.
- Play Professor Noggin’s American Revolution to learn more facts and all about figures that were central to this period of history.
Finally, look at this awesome tea bag science activity to go along with this American Revolution Unit Study.
Amazing Tea Bag Rocket Science
While it may make you a bit nervous you don’t want to do this activity outside unless you are in a good area protected from wind, the tea bag rocket will only work if it stays upright and the smallest disturbance in the air will tip it.
You will need:
- Tea bags
- Lighter (long handled)
- Scissors
- Plate
First, cut off the top of a folded-over tea bag.
Pour the tea on a plate (I used a flipped-over bowl for a launchpad).
Open the tea bag into a cylinder and place it on top of your tea.
Light the top of the bag.
Watch it burn down.
Right as it gets to the bottom of the bag it will rise quickly up into the air, and the flame will die out quickly.
What is the science behind the tea bag rocket?
The fire creates hot air inside the tea bag cylinder.
This hot air rises and lifts the bag into the air.
