American Revolution Printable Activities and Worksheets
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American Revolution Printable Activities and Worksheets
Teaching the American Revolution to upper elementary students is a great chance to spark their interest in one of the most important events in history. At this age, kids are ready to dive into the reasons behind the Revolution, the people involved, and how it led to the birth of a new country. Using fun activities, hands-on lessons, and opportunities to think critically, teachers can make this topic exciting and easy to understand. By talking about big ideas like freedom, fairness, and government, students can see how the Revolution still influences us today.
I love learning and teaching about United States history, especially events that happened here in my home state of Pennsylvania. I try to pass that love of American history on to my 4th grade and 5th grade students. This Valley Forge lesson is one of my favorites because we get out of the textbook and dive in with hands-on learning style. Anything involving interactive notebooks or graphic organizers has the approval of my students!
Using our textbook isn’t always the best way to accomplish this, especially since the readability is at least an 8th grade level. (grrrr…..) So, creativity is key! My students love making anything interactive, including mini-booklets. So, this week, as we were learning about the Revolutionary War, we put together a mini-book about Winter at Valley Forge (which is part of my Revolutionary War Resource Unit). I add this activity to my U.S. History lesson plans every year. This Valley Forge lesson is always a great way to help students understand the sacrifices of the American colonies and the Continental Army during that difficult winter.
How to make your Valley Forge Mini Book:
First, we colored and cut out all the pages of the Valley Forge Mini Book.
Next, we placed a page on top of a paper bag and cut out a front and back cover about the same size. (It isn’t important for the cover to be perfect, since we wanted it to appear antique and aged.) Then, we crumpled the cover a bit and gathered some twine and a paper punch.
We punched the pages and covers and then tied them together with twine.
Here it is! Our finished Valley Forge mini-book!
If you like the mini-booklet, you can find it in the complete American Revolutionary War Activities Packet, or you can have your students write their own and then follow the steps above.
The American Revolution events are easier to teach with these engaging, interactive American Revolution printable activities and worksheets. The hands-on approach to learning with this Revolutionary War resource helps students learn and understand the cause/effect relationships of events in this period of history!
Important events in this Revolutionary War packet include:
Famous Americans in the War
2nd Continental Congress
Battle of Bunker Hill
Declaration of Independence
Common Sense, Victory at Trenton
Victory at Saratoga
Winter at Valley Forge
Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown
American Victory
Treaty of Paris.
This resource includes both a printable version AND a digital file. The digital version is on Google Slides and is perfect for distance learning, independent work, small groups, centers, and more!
This easy to use Events of the Revolutionary War packet has 6 components:
Reading Comprehension Passage & Question Sheet
Time Line Activity: Students construct a timeline of the major events of the Revolutionary War using the printable timeline boxes.
American Revolution Interactive Notebook Foldable: Printable foldables for each of the major events can be used for student note-taking and learning the chronology of the events.
Large Interactive Bulletin Board Timeline: Use these for a bulletin board or classroom activity to identify the chronology of the events leading to the Revolutionary War. Includes bulletin board header and large foldables.
Winter at Valley Forge Mini Book: Students create a mini book using these coloring pages and teacher directions. This is a fun way to understand this series of events.
Valley Forge Writing Activity: Students write letters from a Valley Forge soldier’s viewpoint and then create a Revolutionary War postage stamp. Use for a classroom display or in student notebooks.
The packet also includes a teacher-direction sheet with photo examples of the projects in use in the classroom. It is very clear and easy-to-use; basically just print and go! My students loved these activities; I think yours will, too!
Before I taught my students about the events of the Revolutionary War, we used the Causes of the American Revolution unit to learn about the events on the road to American independence.
Your students will enjoy learning about the Causes of the American Revolution with this interactive packet of American Revolution printable activities and worksheets. These hands-on activities will help your students learn and understand the cause/effect relationships of events on the road to the Revolutionary War!
This resource includes both a printable version AND a digital version. The digital version is on Google Slides and is perfect for distance learning, independent work, centers, and more!
This helpful packet includes:
Reading Passage & Question Sheet
Create a Timeline: Students construct a timeline of the major events leading to the Revolutionary War using the printable timeline boxes.
Interactive Notebook Foldables: Printable foldables for each of the major events can be used for student note-taking and learning the chronology of the events.
Large Pennant Timeline: Use these for a bulletin board or classroom activity to identify the chronology of the events leading to the Revolutionary War.
Printable AND Digital Version
This packet addresses the following events leading to the Revolutionary War:
French & Indian War
Stamp Act
Sugar Act
Townshend Acts
Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable Acts of King George and the British Government
First Continental Congress
Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Continental Congress – Battle of Lexington & Concord.
The packet also includes a teacher-direction sheet with photo examples of the projects in use in the classroom. It is very clear and easy-to-use; basically just print and go!
Both the packets above are perfect for learning more about the famous people of the revolution, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, King George, and more!
Looking for Other Engaging Ways to Teach Social Studies?
Here are 25 other engaging activities for 4th and 5th grade students learning about the Revolutionary War, with explanations for each:
Timeline Creation Students will create a visual timeline to map out important events leading up to and during the Revolutionary War, helping them see the sequence of historical events and how they connect.
Revolutionary War Vocabulary Flashcards Have students create flashcards for key terms and definitions, allowing them to review important vocabulary in a fun and interactive way while strengthening their understanding of the era.
Patriot vs. Loyalist Debate Students will take on the roles of Patriots or Loyalists, presenting arguments about why they supported either independence or remaining loyal to Britain, encouraging them to think critically about differing perspectives.
Revolutionary War Role Play Assign students different historical figures from the Revolution, and have them present speeches or actions based on what those figures believed, promoting deeper engagement with key people of the time.
Letter to a Soldier Have students write letters from the perspective of a colonist to a soldier during the Revolutionary War, helping them imagine the experiences and emotions of those who lived through the conflict.
Interactive Map Use an interactive map to track the locations of major battles and events during the Revolutionary War, helping students visualize the geographic spread and strategic significance of the war.
Creating a Colonial Newspaper Students will design a colonial newspaper reporting on major events, battles, or everyday life during the Revolution, allowing them to practice writing and creativity while reinforcing historical knowledge.
Revolutionary War Trivia Create a trivia game with questions about the Revolutionary War, which will challenge students’ recall of facts in a fun and competitive way, encouraging active participation.
“If I Were There” Journal Entries Students will write journal entries from the perspective of someone living during the Revolution, giving them a chance to empathize with historical figures and deepen their understanding of the era.
Build a Miniature Fort Students will build a model of a Revolutionary War fort, like Fort Ticonderoga, out of craft materials, helping them understand the strategic importance of forts in the conflict.
Research a Revolutionary War Hero Students will choose a historical figure from the Revolutionary War to research and create a report or poster, encouraging them to dive deeper into the stories of influential people during the Revolution.
Revolutionary War Song Students will write and perform a song or rap summarizing the events of the Revolutionary War, allowing them to express historical knowledge through music and rhythm.
Create a Colonial Flag Students will design their own flag representing a colonial group, incorporating symbols and colors that reflect the values and ideas of the Revolution, fostering creativity while reinforcing historical themes.
Sewing a “Revolutionary” Quilt Students will design and create fabric squares that represent different events or symbols from the Revolutionary War, then stitch them together to form a class quilt, learning about the symbolism and unity of the period.
Freedom or Oppression? Students will compare life before and after the Revolution using a Venn diagram, helping them understand the social, political, and economic changes brought about by independence.
Historical Figure Biography Comic Students will create a comic strip that tells the story of a key figure from the Revolutionary War, helping them visualize and better understand the person’s contributions and role in history.
Tea Party Simulation Students will reenact the Boston Tea Party, throwing “tea” into a large container to simulate the event, helping them understand the colonists’ grievances with British policies in an interactive and memorable way.
Map the Battles Students will map out the major battles and movements of troops during the Revolution, giving them a spatial understanding of the war and its key turning points.
Create a Revolutionary War Board Game Students will design a board game based on events from the Revolutionary War, encouraging them to think about strategy, important historical events, and rules while enhancing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Write a Declaration of Independence Students will write their own “declaration” about a cause they feel strongly about, mirroring the structure of the original Declaration of Independence, allowing them to connect to the historical context while expressing their own beliefs.
Spy Code Challenge Students will learn about the secret messages and spy networks used during the Revolutionary War by creating and decoding their own secret messages using simple ciphers. This activity helps them understand the role of espionage in the war and makes history feel like an adventure.
Revolutionary War Escape Room Design a classroom escape room where students solve puzzles and answer questions about the Revolutionary War to “escape” from a British prison or successfully deliver an important message. This immersive activity encourages teamwork and critical thinking while reinforcing historical facts. Get this ready-to-go American Revolution printable escape room here.
Colonial Job Fair Students research different occupations from the colonial period, such as blacksmiths, printers, and farmers, then create a “job fair” where they present their roles to the class. This activity helps students understand how everyday life functioned during the Revolution and the impact of different professions.
Act It Out: Famous Speeches and Events Assign students famous speeches or moments from the Revolutionary War, such as Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, and have them perform short skits. This brings historical events to life and helps students practice public speaking and expression.
Historical Artifact Investigation Provide students with images or replicas of Revolutionary War artifacts, such as a musket, tricorn hat, or colonial currency, and have them analyze their purpose and significance. This hands-on approach fosters curiosity and helps students connect with the material culture of the time.
These activities offer a variety of engaging ways to help students connect with the events of the Revolutionary War, making history both fun and meaningful.
Also, be sure to check out our blog post with ideas for teaching The Road to the Revolution (causes leading to the war).
Benefits of Hands-on Activities in Social Studies:
Hands-on learning activities like foldables, interactive notebooks, and map coloring make history more engaging and memorable for upper elementary students. These activities help break down complex concepts into visual and interactive elements, making it easier for kids to understand and retain important historical events.
By physically creating timelines, sorting key facts, or illustrating battle sites on a map, students become active participants in their learning rather than just reading from a textbook. Hands-on activities also cater to different learning styles, helping visual and kinesthetic learners grasp historical ideas in a way that sticks. Plus, they make lessons more fun, encouraging curiosity and a deeper connection to the past!
Revolutionary War Websites for Older Kids
PBS LearningMedia: American Revolution PBS LearningMedia offers a collection of interactive resources and activities tailored for elementary students, including videos, lesson plans, and games that make learning about the American Revolution engaging and accessible. PBS LearningMedia
Britannica Kids: American Revolution Britannica Kids provides age-appropriate articles that explain key events, figures, and concepts of the American Revolution in a clear and concise manner, making it a reliable resource for young learners. Britannica Kids
Core Knowledge Foundation: CKHG Unit 7 – The American Revolution This comprehensive unit includes background information on the thirteen colonies, causes of the revolution, and significant events, offering structured lessons and activities designed for elementary students. Core Knowledge Foundation
National Park Service: American Revolution Education Resources The National Park Service provides educational materials, including lesson plans and primary sources, to help students explore the historical sites and events of the American Revolution, connecting them to real-world locations. NPS.gov
Bill of Rights Institute: Elementary Lessons – Causes of the American Revolution Designed for grades 3-5, these lessons use a modular approach to help students understand the causes of the American Revolution, featuring engaging activities and discussions to promote critical thinking. Bill of Rights Institute
These websites provide a variety of resources to support students in learning about the American Revolution through interactive content, reliable information, and structured lessons.
Other Revolutionary War Resources for Upper Elementary and Middle School:
If you’re looking for engaging and interactive resources to teach the Revolutionary War, I’ve got you covered! In my Teachers Pay Teachers store, you’ll find a variety of hands-on activities, including timelines, reading passages, interactive notebooks, and more—designed to make history exciting and meaningful for upper elementary students.
My goal is to create ready-to-use resources that save you time while keeping your students engaged and eager to learn. Whether you need printables, worksheets, or creative projects, you’ll find everything you need to bring the Revolutionary War to life in your classroom!
Teaching the Revolutionary War to older kids can be a fun and exciting way to bring history to life. With hands-on activities like debates, role-playing, and escape rooms, students can really connect with the people and events that shaped America. Using cool resources like interactive maps, primary sources, and online games makes learning even more engaging.
When history feels like an adventure instead of just facts in a textbook, kids are more likely to remember it and enjoy it. With the right mix of creativity and enthusiasm, teachers can make the Revolutionary War a topic their students won’t forget!
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Shelly Rees
Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.
Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.
