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7 Super Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life

History – The only class where I actually fell asleep (multiple times!) when I was in school!  Do your kiddos groan and moan about history? 

What is it about history that can make it so boring?  Because, really, history is so full of interesting facts and stories that now I can’t believe how boring I used to think it was!

Let’s change that!  Let’s make history fun and exciting!  Let’s make it (dare I say it?!) your child’s favorite subject! 

It’s a favorite subject around our house and I firmly believe that is because we use so many games in our history lessons!

7 Super Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life


Today, I’m going to be sharing 7 super fun history games that you can use in your homeschool to bring the past to life!  Let’s get started!

History Games for Elementary Students

1) Made for Trade

Time Period: Colonial America

Ages: 7+

Players: 2 to 4
Game Length: 5 to 30 minutes (depending on which version you play)

We have been studying US history this year and Made for Trade has been so fun! 

This is a board game, shop cards, character pawns, dice, and shillings. 

This history game comes with 3 versions to play! The first game is a version of Spoons called Shillings where players try to get five cards from the same shop (blacksmith, potter, silversmith, etc.). 

I was really happy to find instructions for this game because my 5 year old could play this with no help and the kids are becoming familiar with items that were sold in different shops during Colonial America.

The 2nd and 3rd versions of the game are very similar. 

In the first version players work their way around the village buying or trading items from the village shops trying to acquire any 4 objects from the shops. 

Players also have to pay taxes and get paid as they move around the spaces. 

The 3rd version, players are also trying to acquire cards, but this time they are specific items on an inventory card for their character. 

This version also adds in event cards such as a smallpox outbreak that has kids learning even more about American History. 

Made for Trade is a great game to introduce your children to US History!

2) Guess in 10: States of America and Countries of the World

Time Period: N/A

Ages: All Ages

Players: 2 to 6

Game Length: 5 minutes to as long as you want!

This game isn’t really history, but more geography.

I included it in my list because it is perfect for families with a wide age range, and besides, we all need to know states and countries! 

Ask up to 10 questions to guess the state of America or country on the game card! There are 50 game cards and 6 clue cards in each game. 

This would be fun for traveling or at the dinner table for some fun dinner time trivia! 

There are other sets, too, like landmarks, animals, underwater, foods around the world, dinosaurs, and more!

3)  Brain Box World History

Time Period: All of History

Ages: All Ages

Players: 1 or more players

Game Length: 5 minutes or as long as you want! 

Brain Box World History is a memory game and a history game in one!

Players look at the front of a card for 10 seconds. 

Then, they flip over the card and roll the die. Another player reads the question corresponding to the number on the die. 

If you get it correct, you get to keep the card; if you get the answer wrong, the card goes back in the box. The player with the most cards after 10 minutes (or some agreed upon time) wins! 

There is also a one player game version where a single player can try to get as many cards as he or she can in 10 minutes. 

This is a great way to introduce different events in history!

4)  Timeline: Historical Events

Time Period: All of history

Ages: 8 and up

Players: 2 to 6

Game Length: About 15 minutes

What is it about?

There are so many of the Timeline games and they can all be mixed together for some real fun!

The basic idea of the game is simple – start with a random card and then arrange other historical events either before or after it depending on when they happened in history.

These games are quick, fun, and a great way to learn when events happened.

This is also a great game for introducing lots of events and seeing which ones your children would like to dive deeper into. Other decks include Inventions, more Historical Events, and British history.

The cards come in a tin, like the Spot It, which makes it easy to store or take with you on the go!

Note: If you are looking for a game like this for older children, be sure to check out Chronology. Ages 14+

5)  Professor Noggin: History of the United States

Time Period: US History (various times)

Ages: 7+

Players: 2 to 8

Game Length: About 15 to 30 minutes

Professor Noggin is a trivia type game where players try to collect cards by answering questions correctly. 

There are easy and hard questions on each card. 

When we play, my girls answer the easy questions and I answer the hard questions.  It makes for a pretty even playing field, so fun for everyone! 

On your turn you roll the die and another player reads the corresponding question to you. 

If you get it right you get to keep the card; if you get the history question wrong the card goes back in the pile. 

The questions will be either trivia, true/false, or multiple choice format. 

The first player to collect 10 cards win! There are several versions of Professor Noggin, so you can get whatever topic you are needing: US History, Art History, Medieval Times, Science, Geography, and more!

History Games for Middle and High School Students

6)  The Grizzled

Time Period: World War I

Ages: 14+

Players: 2 to 5

Game Length: About 30 minutes

There are so many games and movies about WWII, but in this game players are immersed in the trenches of WWI.

This is a fully cooperative game (think Pandemic) where players work together to stay alive until Armistice. Each round will face the hardships of war such as blizzards, gas attacks, and trauma.

Soldiers must use strategy and luck to stay alive together!

World War I can be glossed over in a lot of history studies, with so much emphasis put on WWII.

With The Grizzled, players can learn what it was like to try to survive during the miserable trench warfare of The Great War.

Reviewers state that it is simple and straightforward to learn, but the replay value is quite good!

One reviewer stated that he and his wife are at about 50% win rate, so that makes for exciting play! This would be a great game to play with older middle school or high school students.

7)  Freedom

Time Period: Slavery and Civil War

Ages: 13 and up 

Players: 1 to 4 players

Game Length: 60 to 90 minutes

Freedom is a cooperative game where players try to raise funds, free slaves, and end slavery in America.

As they play, players learn about historical figures, political agendas, and important events that occurred between 1800 and 1865.

This game won the 2013 Best Game Quest Awards for Best Coop Game and was nominated for 2014 Origins Award Best Historical Game! 

Freedom would be a great interactive way to cover the time period leading up to the Civil War. Also, look at the huge Civil War lapbook unit study here.

History Games Bring the Past to Life


These games are just the tip of the iceberg, let me tell you!  If you are struggling to get your kiddos to get interested in history, try one (or more!) of these games and see them get hooked! 

7 Super Fun History Games to Bring the Past to Life

I hope you’ve found some useful resources to add to history in your homeschool this year!

Happy learning!

Look at these other fun history learning resources here:

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

The beauty of unit studies is the ability to combine multiple subjects. This famous and historic trees fun study combines nature, history, and geography. Add in some art and music and it’s a memorable unit study.

Famous and Historic Trees

So today, I rounded up some fun resources for creating a famous and historic trees nature and history unit study.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

First, look at this book we fell in love with which gave us us the kick start to our ideas.

Celebritrees Historic & Famous Trees of the World states its for grades 2 to 4, but this idea can be used for a super great unit study for multiple ages.

Besides, the history and legend of the famous trees in the book gives plenty of chance for a deep unit study.

Also, there are plenty of books about the nature of trees and science and even poetry, but we loved learning about the famous trees of the world.

Although the book only lists 14 famous and historic trees of the world, you could easily add other features to the search besides the oldest, tallest, or biggest trunk.

Science of Trees

Next, add in a bit of science. How are trees defined? Look below at some of their characteristics.

Trees usually have a single stem, or trunk.Trees are woody plants.
Trees are at least 15 feet tall.Trees have a branched-out top called a crown.

Trees clean the air, give shade, cool our house, conserve energy, and attract songbirds. Trees reduce erosion and conserve energy.

Furthermore, look at the information on the historic trees.

Learning about the Methuselah Tree

The Methuselah Tree has lived more than 4,600 years. It is a Bristlecone Pine and it’s located in California.

Moon Trees

Stuart Roosa was a former U.S. Forest Service worker who orbited in the command module of the Apollo 14 in 1971. He conducted scientific experiments in lunar orbit. He put hundreds of tree seeds in a packet and took with him to space.

When he got back to earth, the seeds were germinated and are known as “moon trees” and are found all over the U.S. and the world.

Famous Scythe Tree

This next tree is in Waterloo, New York and the Balm-of-Gilead stands as living monument to a young soldier that went off to fight in the American Civil War.

Prison Boab Famous Tree

Another tree is the Prison Boab which is located in Australia.

It is a Baobab tree. It has many names. One is the Upside-Down Tree because it’s branches look like roots and it’s also just named Boab.

The Tule Tree

El Árbol del Tule (The Tule Tree) is located in Santa María del Tule, Mexico. It is a Montezuma Cypress and it’s estimated to be 1,400 years old.

Chapel Oak Famous Tree

Another famous tree is the the Chapel Oak which is located in Allouville-Bellefosse, France.

It is a huge oak with two chapels inside and a spiral staircase. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.

It is one of the biggest and oldest trees in France.

Ficus Religiosa or The Bodhi Tree

This is a kind of fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka which is sacred to the Buddhists. They believe Buddha gained “bodhi” or enlightenment while sitting under it and meditating.

The Famous and Historic General Sherman Tree

In the Sequoia National Park in California is the General Sherman or a giant sequoia.

The giant sequoias are very special because they are among the oldest and largest living things on earth. The General Sherman Tree, found in Sequoia National Park, is the largest living thing on earth. It is 274.9 feet tall, has a circumference (4.5 ft. above the base) of 83.2 feet, a base circumference of 102.6 feet, and a volume of nearly 58,000 cubic feet.

MORE Famous and Historic Trees of the World

There are other trees too to read about like

  • Anne Frank’s Chestnut Tree
  • Isaac Newton’s Apple Tree (Woolsthorpe, England)
  • Dueling Oaks in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • The Major Oak, Sherwood Forest, England
  • and the Emancipation Oak (Hampton, Virginia).

Study Tree Art

Add some beautiful art to your study about historic trees. Read about Joseph Farrington and his The Oak Tree. Read about Paul Cezanne and his Forest art.

Also read about Georges Seurat and The Morning Walk.

The Oak Tree by Joseph Farrington
Forest by Paul Cezanne

Also, look at Hands-On Literature Nature Study: Simple Tree Craft.

Tree Poetry

Learning and memorizing poetry about trees could also be copywork or to make nature journals.

Loveliest of Trees, The Cherry Now by A. E. Housman

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.

Binsey Poplars by Gerard Manley Hopkins

My aspens dear, whose airy cages quelled,
   Quelled or quenched in leaves the leaping sun,
   All felled, felled, are all felled;
     Of a fresh and following folded rank
                Not spared, not one
                That dandled a sandalled
         Shadow that swam or sank
On meadow and river and wind-wandering weed-winding bank.
   O if we but knew what we do
          When we delve or hew—
     Hack and rack the growing green!
           Since country is so tender
     To touch, her being só slender,
     That, like this sleek and seeing ball
     But a prick will make no eye at all,
     Where we, even where we mean
                To mend her we end her,
           When we hew or delve:
After-comers cannot guess the beauty been.
   Ten or twelve, only ten or twelve
      Strokes of havoc únselve
           The sweet especial scene,
      Rural scene, a rural scene,
      Sweet especial rural scene.

The Way through the Woods by Rudyard Kipling 


They shut the road through the woods
      Seventy years ago.
Weather and rain have undone it again,
      And now you would never know
There was once a road through the woods
      Before they planted the trees.
It is underneath the coppice and heath,
      And the thin anemones.

     Only the keeper sees
That, where the ring-dove broods,
      And the badgers roll at ease,
There was once a road through the woods.

Yet, if you enter the woods
      Of a summer evening late,
When the night-air cools on the trout-ringed pools
      Where the otter whistles his mate,
(They fear not men in the woods,
      Because they see so few.)
You will hear the beat of a horse’s feet,
      And the swish of a skirt in the dew,
      Steadily cantering through
The misty solitudes,
      As though they perfectly knew
      The old lost road through the woods.
But there is no road through the woods.

Famous and Historic Trees of the World Lapbook

Too, I’ve created this fun famous and historic trees lapbook to use with this fun unit study.

Awesome features of my lapbooks.

  • Aimed at elementary to high school.
  • This is a .pdf  instant downloadable product and not a physical product.
  • You are paying for the printables, the lapbook.
  • My lapbooks are created for multiple ages. I aimed for elementary to high school for this lapbook. One of my reasons for aiming this lapbook for the upper grades is that I use a cursive font for the minibooks filled in with information.
  • Most of the minibooks have facts which accompany the minibook and a lot of the minibook are offered two ways. One way where your child uses the facts already provided by the minibook filled in and another way where your child can add his own research and not use the inside pages. Blank pages are provided for your student’s research.
  • You can use any reference materials, books, or online resources to complete the lapbook.
  • I don’t provide links in the lapbooks for filling out the information. This keeps my prices low for my products, but I do try to provide free links on my site as I can.
  • Because I have been a working homeschool mom for more of my journey than not, I need flexibility for using lapbooks. Proving a few facts from the main resource I use is one way I have of saving you time and giving you flexibility in how to use the minibooks.
  • Too, some of your kids may be older and you want them to do more research and some of your kids may be reluctant writers so you may want to mix and match pre-filled minibooks with blank minibooks. Flexibility is the key to my lapbooks.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. I value your business and value you as a follower. I stand behind my products because they are actual products I use and benefit from too. Though I cannot refund purchases after you have been given access to them, I will do what I can to be sure you are a pleased customer. Read carefully what you get on your digital download. If you have questions, email me FIRST at tina homeschools AT gmail DOT com.

Famous and Historic Trees Fun Nature and History Homeschool Unit Study

More Tree Facts

Also, you’ll love these resources for studying about each of these varieties of trees.

You’ll love these other studies:

Hugs and love ya

History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Studying the history of the Texas cowboy, cattle drives, and Chisholm Trail is a fun and fascinating one. Cowboys, cattle drives and the Chisholm Trail all embody the spirit of a Texan.

History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Free Unit Study

Being born and raised in Texas, I grew up going to rodeos, knowing about cattle drives, and watching wide open spaces of grazing cattle as the norm.

As a native Texan too, my husband grew up with ranching and rodeoing in his life and family. He comes from a family of cowboys. I couldn’t wait to do a unit study focused on the history of the Texas cowboy, cattle drives, and the Chisholm Trail.

History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail

With fond memories, I recall the first time I heard the poem Cattle by Berta Hart Nance (1883-1958).

Other states were carved or born,
Texas grew from hide and horn.

Other states are long and wide,
Texas is a shaggy hide.

Dripping blood and crumpled hair;
Some fat giant flung it there,

Laid the head where valleys drain,
Stretched its rump along the plain.

Other soil is full of stones,
Texans plow up cattle-bones.

Herds are buried on the trail,
Underneath the powdered shale;

Herds that stiffened like the snow,
Where the icy northers go.

Other states have built their halls,
Humming tunes along the walls,

Texans watched the mortar stirred
While they kept the lowing herd.

Stamped on Texan wall and roof
Gleams the sharp and crescent hoof.

High above the hum and stir
Jingle bridle rein and spur.

Other states were carved or born,
Texas grew from hide and horn.

A lot of Texans view their state differently from how other states grew. After the American Civil War, it was cattle which helped to make Texas grow. Also, ranching was a big part of Texas growth.

This study is about the grit, hardiness, and stubbornness early Texans embodied and how they passed it down to our generation.

So in this history of the Texas cowboy, cattle drives, and Chisholm Trail, I’ve rounded up some helpful resources to teach your kids about Texas.

Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail

I aimed at resources for elementary ages to about middle school, but as with all my resources you decide which ages to use them for.

The American Civil War {1861-1865} had almost destroyed the United States, but by 1867 the United States found peace again.

Long-horned cattle, which were introduced in part by the Spanish roamed freely upon the plains.

Ranchers noticed that the longhorn turned out to be particularly well adapted to the harsh and arid conditions in the West. 

So thousands of head of cattle were rounded up from pastures in southern and central Texas and herded hundreds of miles north to Kansas.

Cattle drives were a celebrated event of this time period.

Between fascination with the American legend of a cowboy and a transitional time period in American history this brief, but captivating moment in history attracts learners of any age.

Too, with the invention of refrigerated railroad cars in the 1870’s it also made it possible to ship fresh beef anywhere in the country.

I used the Texas Chisholm Trail by the Texas Historical Commission to use as a guide for this lapbook. It’s a free wonderful educator’s guide, but of course you can use any resource you have.

First, there were at least four cattle drives during the 19th century. They were the The Chisholm Trail, The Goodnight-Loving Trail, The Western Trail and The Shawnee Trail.

The Chisholm Trail has at least 7 names: Abilene Trail, the Cattle Trail, the Eastern Trail, the Great Texas Cattle Trail, the Kansas Trail, McCoy’s Trail and the Texas Chisholm Trail.

Lesson Plans History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail

Texas Size Vocabulary Words

  • Cattle Kingdom – An industry based on cattle ranching that arose on the open range from Texas to Canada during the 1800s.
  • Texas Rangers – Law enforcement to keep the law in frontier Texas.
  • Tejanos – A person of Mexican heritage, but considers Texas home.
  • King Ranch – Ranch in South Texas that is one of the most important cattle operations in the state.
  • brands – identification marks on livestock made with burning irons
  • barbed wire – a wire used in fencing that is made with points, or barbs, placed at intervals to prevent livestock from crossing the fence
  • vaqueros – from vaca (cow) cowboy
  • wrangler – one who herds or cares for livestock on the range
  • XIT Ranch – Ranch established by the Capitol Freehold Land and Investment Company which was funded by investors from Chicago and Great Britain.
  • Longhorn – a hybrid breed of cattle that descended from Spanish and English stock; the main breed used in Texas ranching

Field Trip Ideas for History of Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives and Chisholm Trail

  • We love visiting the Barrington Plantation which is the last home of Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. They have a fun program for homeschoolers which includes hand-on activity.
  • The Star of the Republic Museum is on the same property as the Barrington Farm.
  • Varner Hogg Plantation. Yes, it’s true Gov. James Hogg named his daughter Ima Hogg.

Hands-on Ideas For a Texas Unit Study

Next, you’ll love a few ideas for some hands-on fun to study about Texas.

Field Trip to Washington on the Brazos, Star of the Republic Museum, Barrington Farms and Buckhorn Museum/Texas Ranger Museum
(don’t miss any of these places)

  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Star of the Republic Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail 1
    Star of the Republic Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Star of the Republic Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Star of the Republic Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Buckhorn Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Barrington Farms Anson Jones Home Republic of Texas
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Learn about brands
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Barrington Farm
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Texas Rangers
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Chuck Wagon at Buckhorn Museum
  • History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
    Chuck Wagon at Buckhorn Museum San Antonio, Tx

PURCHASE THE LAPBOOK BELOW:

History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail
History of the Texas Cowboy, Cattle Drives, and Chisholm Trail Free Unit Study

Look at these other fun ideas:

Hugs and love ya,

How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

This week we created our own ceremonial African tribal mask after doing some research about their uses and how they are made.

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

We have been studying all about Africa, it’s customs, weather, regions, zoology, peoples, and geography.

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

This project we are sharing with you today is perfect for mid elementary up through middle school.

Tribal masks play very important roles in many traditional African ceremonies and rituals even in these modern times.

Some symbolize totem animals, others are representative of tribal mythology, they are believed to help communicate and convey messages to spirits.

Some masks are made and used in times of peace and also in times of war, and to ensure good harvests. 

They are worn for weddings, funerals, and initiation rites of passage.

Mask making is an art that is passed from father to son in African culture.

Too, if you are studying Africa with any depth, this is a project that you definitely want to focus on.

How to Make an African Paper Mask

You learn history, but also the culture of certain regions; your child gets a glimpse into the artwork which these interesting peoples create and consider important to their culture.

First, gather these easy supplies. Here is what you will need to create your own mask.

  • Scrapbook/Construction paper
  • Glue 
  • Scissors
  • Hole punch
  • Hole punch
  • Paint, brushes
  • Raffia/twine
  • paint/paintbrush
How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

Directions:

Crease a full sheet of  sturdy paper right down the center, this will be the main piece of your mask.

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

On one side pencil in a large mask shape. If you have already done some research you should have an idea of what type of mask you would like.

Masks are usually shaped like a human face or animal muzzle, but very abstract.

Kids’ African Mask

We are going with a commonly seen elongated face shape that is symmetrical and it gives me a chance to reintroduce and review what symmetrical means with the kids.

Cut out both sides at the same time following the half shape you drew.

When decorating tribal masks many elements are used like shells, horns, feathers, broken egg shells, seeds, straw, and animal hair.

Cut out your elements like the nose, ears, and eyes from neutral colored paper, which are the colors most commonly chosen in Africa. 

While size and shapes are exaggerated, they are still pretty simple.

To make your features symmetrical, fold your paper in half like you did the poster board. Only draw half the shape on one side, but cut out of both side on the fold. 

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

Start with the nose, eyes, and ears and build up with decoration from there.

Again if you are cutting one piece like a nose, fold it in half, draw the shape, and cut it out.

How to Make Tribal Masks with Paper

If you are cutting two pieces like eyes just cut through two pieces of paper at the same time so that they are the exact same size and shape.

Next, glue all your elements into place, remember to place your pencil line side face down so you don’t see it.

How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

To create the hair and beard details, we punched holes along the edges where we wanted them and knotted twine through the holes.

If you knot it like a regular knot the ties will go out sideways.

How to Make a Kids’ Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

If you want it to stick straight up and down, fold your length of string in half and push the loop through the hole you made.

African Mask Ideas for Kids

Too, if you’re looking to add Art History to your curriculum, we love Art History Kids.

Goal of Art History Kids

  • To introduce kids to art.
  • Let them come to their own conclusions.
  • And, encourage their own individual creativity.
How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

Then, slide the other two ends through the loop and pull firmly but gently.

Add some final details with paint, like the dots we did here.

We used the back end of the brush to create round uniform dots to give our mask some additional texture and interest.

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

If your child enjoys more sensory input you can also use fingertips to add paint to the mask.

Allow your creation to dry, you can either leave it as it is or glue the mask to a sturdier piece of cardboard or poster board to display and keep it longer.

Learning the Culture of Africa Through Picture Books

If you want to make this a fun unit study topic about world cultures, you’ll love the study guide notes and coloring pictures by Beautiful Feet Literature.

Although these guides state they’re for your younger kids, I think picture books are wonderful for all ages. Who doesn’t love pictures?

However, if your middle school kids want some other literature choices, look at this Early American Enrichment which honors the legacy of some African Americans and American Indians at the time when America was young.

Additionally, look at these picture book options below.

Part One covers Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.

This Around the World With Picture Books Part Two covers Europe and South America.

Lastly, if you want to expand on your Africa study no matter if you are using a box curriculum or if you are doing a simple interest led study here are some ideas that you and your child can try…

African Geography and Culture Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

  • List the different countries with Africa in alphabetical order. This is great practice for learning alphabetical order but also geography, handwriting, vocabulary, and spelling. I am a big fan of activities that cover more than one skill.
  • Dig deeper by researching what various masks and their elements represent and what regions they are from.
  • Create several different masks representing different areas or traditions.
  • Families with one or more children can create an art show with African art to share with friends and family.
  • Research other cultures and countries that wear masks, what are they worn for?
  • Visit a local museum with an Africa exhibit to see relics or replicas first hand.

Watch this documentary on PBS about an African Mask Collection. 

How to Make a Kids' Fun Ceremonial African Tribal Mask

You’ll love these other hands-on activities:

Are you studying about Africa? What activities have you been doing?

Hugs and love ya,

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’ve rounded up 35 simple, but powerful American history homeschool resources for kindergarten to high school.

Whether you’re trying to fill a state requirement or you want your child to have a well-rounded view of U.S. history, I know you’ll love these resources.

American History Homeschool Resources

First, because I have homeschooled over 20+ years, I have some great tips for you.

Look at these 10 ways to teach U.S. history out of the box. Besides, not every kid responds to an all-in-one i.e. boxed curriculum.

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

10 Ways to Teach U.S. History Out of the Box

  1. Instead of trying to learn about all American History in one year, focus on one time period through the eyes of a founding father or another historical colorful character. We did this when we examined the life of Wyatt Earp. Look at Free American History Lapbook – The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp. This idea works for multiple ages because you can bring out much about the time period in American history and add fun hands-on activities too.
  2. In addition, when my first son reached high school, we learned about the FBI. It was a fun way to focus on learning about American government based on a topic he was interested in. So, take a topic or key event which piques your teen’s interest and build a study around it. Look at my FBI unit study.
  3. For older kids, study American history through original sources. Reading letters between friends and family helps to make what could be a boring time period in history come alive. Look at 7 Things to Try When a Homeschool History Curriculum Isn’t Coming Together (Hint: Try a Primary Source or Two).
  4. Learning through movies is another way to make learning any time period in history an event to look forward to. Look at 7 Educational Movies for Kids About Westward Expansion.
  5. Another slant is for art lovers. Learn about history through art. Look at Art History for Kids.
  6. Also, learning U.S. history through lapbooks is a fun way to learn important events. Look at my Free 27 Week American History Study through Lapbooking In Chronological Order
  7. One more fun slant is to learn about historical costumes. Look at Bring History To Life With Historical Costumes: Fun, Fashion and Unforgettable
  8. An especially fun way to bring meaning to history is to use a living book as a spine. A living book is a term used by Charlotte Mason to mean a book written in a story form which engages a reader as opposed to a boring textbook. Use a living book as a spine or the main book and add activities based on the reading. Toward the bottom of the article, I listed some living books which could work as a history spine.
  9. Another engaging and fun way to learn about history is through cooking recipes from the different states. Kids of any age love learning what other kids’ eat and how they live. Look at my post make chili when doing a state study on Texas.
  10. This last slant is to learn U.S. history through creating a timeline. Whether you want to focus on events or people, a timeline is a great visual of American history. Look at my post How to Teach With an Easy DIY American History Timeline.

American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

Next, I’ve rounded up tons of resources to give you a variety of options.

For me every year was different when I taught American history. Some years we dived deeper, other years not so much.

There are a variety of resources below from audio to living books to lapbooks.

Also, the resources and books or literature are listed from easiest or for the youngest learner up to high school.

Of course, grade level is subjective. You’ll want to mix and match history resources to make learning American history meaningful.

Further, readers mature at different rates. What is sensitive to one family or reader you and I know will be different for another.

So be sure you check out the readers because where possible and best I can remember, I give you a heads up if something may be sensitive.

As always, you’re responsible for previewing resources beforehand. I know you will.

Kindergarten to Sixth Grade American History Resources

Beginning with kindergarten to sixth grade U.S. history resources, variety is key.

Especially for young kids like prek and kindergarten, reading aloud, coloring, creating crafts, and activities helps to lay a foundation for what is American history.

Actually, do not forget that even older kids whose introduction to history has been boring could still benefit from activities, reading aloud, and games.

Look below for kindergarten to sixth grade American history resources roundup.

1. American History Dover Books for Coloring and Paper Crafts

Whether you have a younger or older child, Dover coloring pages have been a staple in our homeschool for years.

They’re not just ordinary coloring books, but coloring books that teach facts while having some creative fun.

Look at this United States Coloring Book.

Also, Dover has paper models for hands-on history. You don’t want to miss these fun ways to learn history.

Look at these Stand Up Presidents and White House Cut & Assemble.

2. American Kids in History Series

This next series is a fun slant on American history.

American Kids in History series is series that just doesn’t use text but games, activities, and recipes to learn about Americans.

One or two of these books would make for a great mini unit study.

3. Early American History by Beautiful Feet

This next curriculum which I loved and used when my kids were younger and all the way through high school is by Beautiful Feet Literature.

The Early American History Jumbo Primary pack for first to third grade introduced my kids to American history makers through beautiful literature as opposed to a boring text book.

4. Stories of Great Americans For Little Americans

This next series Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans was written in 1895 at about a second grade level and reprinted and updated.

The illustrations are beautiful and little Americans are introduced to Boone, Washington, Franklin, and more. Also, Memoria Press reprinted it.

5. Magic Tree House Series

Another series The Magic Tree House has the Magic Tree House Books 21-24 Boxed Set which is American History.

The Magic Tree House series is a beloved set for teaching history for all time periods, but it has the American history set for the youngest readers.

This series aims for first to fourth grade.

History for Kids

6. The d’Aulaire Biographies

The first time I read one of the d’Aulaire historical books with my young kids, we were hooked.

Look at some of the titles to choose from.

7. American Story Series

Additionally, American Story is a beautiful series which has been around for a long time and for reason. The literature and illustrations are beautiful.

It is a secular approach to history, but not anything you can’t tweak one way or the other to your worldview.

You’ll love all the titles in the series. Here are a few below.

8. Who was? What was? Where is? Series

There is a reason this much loved Who was What was Where is series has close to 200 books. It was a hit when this series started.

Although it can be hard to find a grade level, this series is good for kids up to sixth grade. However, it aims for third to fifth grade.

But don’t let that stop you if you have kids a bit younger or older.

It’s a much loved series with so many topics and titles which makes it a great multiple age series of books to teach about important American history events and persons.

9. America First: One Hundred Stories From Our Own History by Lawton B. Evans

Then next America First: One Hundred Stories From Our Own History by Lawton B. Evans approaches history by using stories or the living history approach I love for all ages.

10. My America Series

My America series is a fictional series aimed at elementary aged kids.

My America series is a spinoff of the Dear America series and written in the same diary format.

From best I can remember there are approximately 20 books or so in the a series. Like the Dear America series, you have many choices of great books.

11. American Girl series

Also, what young girl doesn’t fall in love with Felicity, Kirsten, and Addy from the American Girl books.

I haven’t put my hands on the series in a while, but from best I remember the older versions of the books have a non-fiction section at the back.

There are period crafts and recipes you can add for each theme.

12. Childhood of Famous Americans Series

Then, Childhood of Famous Americans Series was also another life saver for me when the kids were young. It’s a biography series that was originally written in the 1940s.

The series has grown and expanded through the years and reprinted.

This was one of my kids’ favorite series because of the illustrations and short chapters for young readers.

13. History Pockets by Evan-Moor

This next resource which is History Pockets is such a wonderful hands-on resource that I feel you can use it even for kids in middle school.

Each book comes with a theme. Themed activities such as maps, timelines, minibooks and character descriptions are created for the history pocket.

If your child is not not ready to unleash his history creativity and wants something fun, but more laid out he’ll love the themed history pockets.

Again, some of the themes are for sixth grade, so I know older kids will love them too.

Middle and High School
American History Resources

Moving to teaching middle and high school can be challenging unless you have the right resources.

Don’t be afraid to teach American history with resources you have at your finger tips. It’s easier than you think to create a credit worthy course. Look at my tips How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)

Look at the resources which can be used for older kids.

14. Paradigm Accelerate Curriculum Worktexts

When I first looked at Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, I wasn’t sure it would work for us. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it helped my kids to cover some topics we were lacking.

First, PAC booklets are a worktext. A worktext is different from a workbook.

Unlike a workbook, worktext does some teaching right in the workbook. Worktext are great for teaching kids to be independent. You don’t have to do all the teaching.

Usually some background information along with activities are all built into the lesson plan. It’s like having the textbook and workbook in one spot.

The American History I, America’s Founding Fathers, Events, and Documents (Supplement), are aimed for about eighth grade and American History II is for high school.

15. Guest Hollow High School American History

Guest Hollow is a two year program for high school kids.

If your kids love learning history through literature and good books, they’ll love this program.

16. A History of US Book Series by Joy Hakim

The A History of US series is an usual series that we loved. It’s written in a story form to older students.

The series touts to be for fifth grade to eight grade. I’ve found that even older kids can benefit from the material.

17. Time Travel Adventure with Exceptional Americans Series by Rush Limbaugh

Next, who’d think Rush Limbaugh would have a series of history books, but he does.

What kid or adult (me) wouldn’t love to read about traveling back in time? Historical fiction is a way to also revive a love of history by talking about time travel through history.

The Rush Revere Time Travel Adventure with Exceptional American series is aimed for grades fourth to eighth, but again you know grade levels are subjective. There are five books for now in the series.

18. 19. Modern and Early American History by Beautiful Feet

Beautiful Feet which is one of my favorite homeschool curriculum for living history books and has packs for middle school and high school kids.

The packs can be used anywhere from an advanced 7th grader to high school.

The curriculum has a twist, it’s mixed. It has American history and world history studied together.

This makes sense if you’re trying to connect American history to the bigger picture of how it fits into world history.

20. Dear America series by Scholastic

The Dear America series is for girls. The books are written like diaries looking at events in American history.

Although the book touts for a younger reader closer to a 10 year old girl, I find a few of the elements in some of the books are more suited for an older reader like 14 or 15 years old.

One book mentions something mysterious about a wedding night implying a sexual nature which is not necessary for a young reader.

I mean I have found nothing explicit so far, but feel that innuendo could have been left out if this was for a younger reader.

So I am putting this series here more suited for a middle or high school girl.

Multiple Ages Resources
And All-in-One

Next, there are many resources which can be used stand alone for teaching history, but there are also resources that make planning easy.

Multiple age resources and all-in-one curriculum are those types of helps.

There are advantages to using an all-in-one.

A few advantages of using laid out curriculum are

  • you have less planning;
  • some of them can be used for multiple ages;
  • sometimes plenty of background information is given which can lessen your prep work; and
  • if you need to track hours, it can be easier to do it with laid out curriculum.

Look at some of these resources below. Some are more scripted than others, but all of them are laid out easier than just using a book.

21. Home School in the Woods

This first one is Home School in The Woods because I loved having more ideas for hands-on history.

Like science, I feel history is better understood and appreciated when it’s hands-on or project based.

Sure it takes longer to do activities, but learning like this sticks.

22. Build Your Library Secular Based

Build Your Library is a secular literature approach to history.

You’ll have to purchase the books and the lesson plans are .pdf, but you can certainly combine kids with this unit study approach

. Also, if you’re trying to build a library this a great way to do it. Build your library is good if you’re trying to teach multiple children and want more of a general guide.

23. Notgrass History Christian Based

If you want a unabashedly Christian curriculum, then you’ll love Notgrass History.

Their history is told in a story form and you’ll love all the options for each grade.

24. U.S. History Secular Based By Blossom and Root

Blossom and Root has U.S. history for elementary and middle school kids. It is a complete secular history unit.

25. Memoria Press Uses a Classical Approach

Memoria Press has guides for first grade to high school and uses a classical approach to teaching U.S. history.

Using great books of the past they paired them with history guides to teach different topics of American history at each level.

26. Hillsdale Free U.S. History Courses

Hillsdale College offers free American history courses in the same

You’ll love the free courses on line.

Hillsdale offers courses from a faith-based approach. As stated on their website: “These free, not-for-credit courses are taught by Hillsdale College faculty and are patterned after the education offered on the Hillsdale College campus.”

27. Truthquest History Christian Based

Truthquest history is a literature-based curriculum which can be used for multiple ages.

Instead of having day to day lesson plans, you’re giving guides for each topic. Using real books, this history is more of a unit study approach. If you want to have a guide, but go down bunny trails this curriculum may work for you.

28. All American History Christian Based by Bright Ideas Press

All American History by Bright Ideas Press is a staple in the homeschool community. Homeschool Buyers has it for a considerable discount.

From the site, it says American History is a complete year’s curriculum when combined with the Student Activity Book PDF and Teacher’s Guide. The first volume covers Exploration through 1840.

American History Spines

Living Books, Audio, Video, CD, Online Courses for American History Resources

Last, I’m sharing some other wonderful resources which helps kids with different learning styles and needs. Too, sometimes you need to mix and match as I talked about earlier.

Too, I want you to understand what is a history spine because it’s a fun, but very practical way to teach a content subject like U.S. History.

A spine is a resource you use as your main reference to teach a subject. A spine refers to a backbone. So it’s a resource which can be a living book or reference book which is the backbone of your course of study.

A spine has many advantages and is different than an all-in-one in many ways.

Look at the 5 advantages of using a history spine.

  1. When you choose a history spine, you can narrow your focus. Instead of teaching all of American history in broad strokes, sometimes you need a few key events or people for a deeper study.
  2. In addition, you may want to move quicker on topics if your goal is broad strokes. A general history spine instead of day to day laborious lesson plans may fit your needs this year.
  3. A spine like a living book written in story format helps kids young kids to associate what could be abstract to concrete people and events.
  4. In addition, a history spine can be tweaked to fit exactly the needs of your kids, i.e. rabbit trails.
  5. There is no feeling of being behind when studying American history. You’re just at where you’re kids are at. Then you move on when you’re done.

With that being said, in this section, I have included

  • history living books;
  • audio books for those who want to listen and not so much read;
  • online free courses in video form;
  • and videos using public domain books.

Many years I preferred to use books that were classic and written pre politically correct.

History has the good, the bad, and the really ugly and I wanted to convey all those parts to my kids as I felt they could understand it.

I’d love to rewrite history in some places, but I can’t. So I explained to my kids how some people in the past and why some in the present may still feel one way. Explaining point of views becomes important while using any history resource.

29. The Rainbow Book of American History by Earl Schenck Miers 

The Rainbow Book of American History was published in the 1950s and is a book you can use for a spine.

Remember that vocabulary and terminology are different for that time; keep that in mind if you use a classic book.

DIY American History Resources

30. America: The Last Best Hope

America: The Last Best Hope is another series loved by homeschoolers for a spine, but I haven’t used it. But you recognize the name William J. Bennett for his book The Book of Virtues which is a compilation of moral stories.

31. My America Story Book Audio Using Public Domain Books

Well-educated heart has audio of stories from pre-1924 books in the public domain. Your child can listen or read, It’s free.

32. Drive Thru History Adventure Video/DVD Series

This is a fun twist on history. It’s a 12 part video series on history by “visiting” places. Too, it’s offered in DVD form because not everyone has a great internet connection.

He has different time periods, but the American: Columbus to the Constitution is for American history and the whole family can watch and learn.

33. This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall 

This Country of Ours is another timeless history keeper. We loved the story format of this book and this is one that you could use for multiple ages too. I feel it’s geared more toward elementary to middle school.

34. American History Stories by Mara Pratt

Again American History Stories by Mara Pratt is what I consider a living book approach to history.

It’s a story format and I would use it for younger kids.

I do think an older kid would benefit from it if they haven’t had a good introduction to history.

Big List of U.S. History Curriculum

35. Jim Hodges American History Audio

This next resource is such a fun one.

Whether you want some help for all the reading aloud you’ve been doing or your child learns better by listening and loves stories, you’ll love Jim Hodges Audio Books.

From Ten Girls from History to American History Stories and True Stories of Great Americans for Young Americans and the Modern U.S. History bundle, you’ll find tons of great resources.

35 Simple But Powerful American History Homeschool Resources K to 12

36. Khan Academy Online Free Videos

When Khan Academy entered the homeschool world it was popular and have gained even more popularity through the years.

Although some teachers used Khan Academy as a stand alone curriculum a lot of homeschoolers supplement with it. Either way you have another option for your learners.

37. Crash Course Online Free Videos

Crash Courses are another favorite of homeschoolers. They too have been around for years with educational videos on many different subjects.

Crash Course has many different history topics you’ll love including the American history section.

This list is by no means the total list of all the resources I’ve been exposed to, but it’s a comprehensive list of homeschool favorites. Pssst! They work.

What else do you like to use for teaching American history to your kids?

Look at these other American history lapbooks, unit studies, and tips here to help round out your study.

Hugs and love ya,