Our new President will take office this Tuesday! You and your kids can celebrate by having a special day at home with activities, games, crafts, a special lunch and sweet treats!
First of all, you've got to check out this great Inaugural Media Guide! It has all the details of what will be going on plus more: schedules, music lists, biographies, timelines, menus and recipes, history of the ceremony, architectural details of different locations associated with the inauguration, and color pictures too. I can't recommend it enough! I'd like to print it out but at a 121 pages that will have to wait :)
Decorations:
Red, white and blue of course! Make simple flag placemats from colored construction paper or just let the kids cover a piece of colored paper with lots of foil star stickers. If you have any Fourth of July party supplies left over be sure to use them or pick up the basics at the grocery store. Fill jars or vases with red, white and blue candies like Hot Tamales, jelly beans, M&M's, taffy, Jolly Rancher, and peppermints. And remember, balloons always make it a party!
Music:
anything by John Philip Sousa
America the Beautiful
My Country 'Tis Of Thee
The National Anthem
This Land Is Your Land
Yankee Doodle Dandy
The Caissons Go Rolling Along
here's a nice patriotic playlist at Pandora
Games and Activities:
Inaugural Bingo! You can play online
here or you can print out my version here. Randomly fill out the blank spaces with the suggested words (or use some of your own) and every time one of those words are said in a speech or by a commentator you get to mark it off. First one to complete a straight line (or the whole card) wins :)
Barack Obama Trivia - This site has lots of fun trivia and biographical information. Set up teams with a moderator and see who knows the most about our new President.
Print out individual activities or make a whole book using these printables (coloring pages, word search, quizzes and more) at Enchanted Learning.
How Much Candy In The Candy Jar - Have everyone guess the number of candies in one of the jars you filled for decorations - the winner takes home the candy or some other special treat.
Crafts:
Kaboose shows you how to make this fun parade stick to march with!
Make red, white, and blue playdough to play with while watching the festivities! Put out some star cookie cutters, make a flag, or a Republican elephant and a Democratic donkey!
It's easy to make star coasters from craft foam: trace around a star template onto red, white, and blue craft foam and then
cut them out!
Using the same star template, cut out
stars from cardstock, give them a coating of glitter or wrap with foil, and hang them from the ceiling.
Food and Drink:
The official luncheon menu is based on favorite foods of President Lincoln but you can make your own simpler version. Try some soup, a piece of chicken with mashed potatoes, and apple cake or apple pie for dessert. Or, you could have one of Mr. Obama's favorites, chili!
This red, white, and blue layered drink is perfect for the occasion!
What is so special about this painting and why will it be featured at the Presidential Luncheon? Go here to find out!
Treats:
This flag is made completely from fresh fruit at Family Fun.
Also at Family Fun, get the directions for this adorable edible eagle!
Cupcakes are always a treat and with these cupcake toppers from Tangarang (above) and Alpha Mom (below) they're a real winner!
