Colonial Hands-On History Projects to Bring Early American History to Life

When we study Early American History, I include as many colonial hands-on history projects as possible to bring the subject to life for my older kids. I know there are teens who feel that history is dry and boring, but I say that’s just because they spend too much time reading a textbook instead of working with their hands. Instead, use American history activities in your homeschool.

In the 1600 – 1700s, brave and adventurous men and women came to here to explore unknown lands and new opportunities. Their search for personal and religious freedoms lead to the settlement of our original 13 Colonies and eventually a new nation.  A very exciting time!

Stories paint a picture of life during this time, but tweens and teens can get a better understanding of what life was like for the American colonists with the help of these creative projects.

Early American history is full of exciting people, events, battles, and more that make it easy to enjoy studying. Get out of the textbook and make middle school history come alive with these hands-on activities. One of our favorites was adding cooking to our lesson plan. There's such a wide variety of projects here, you'll definitely find something your teen will want to do. Don't make history boring! #colonialhistory #USHistory #handsonhistory #middleschool #tweens #teens #educationpossible

Colonial Hands-on History Projects and Activities

Build an American Early Settler Wattle & Daub House

Build a home like the ones used by the settlers in Jamestown.

Cooking with Corn

Corn was a staple of the colonial diet.  Learn to make 2 quick and tasty dishes from the time – Johnnycakes and Spoon Bread.

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Create a Jamestown Replica

Get a sense for the scale and detail of the original Jamestown settlement while creating your own replica.

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Create Unique Videos

You child can be the star of their own movie by acting out important scenes from Early American History or use their computer

 and items around the house to make stop-motion animated films.

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Explore the 13 Colonies 

Further your family’s study of this interesting time in our country’s history with this fun unit study that includes notebooking pages, writing prompts, discussion questions, crafts, and more!

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Learn with American Girl Dolls

If you have an American Girl doll fan in your house, use them and their stories to learn about American history.

how to use American Girl to study history Education Possible

Liberty Bell Scavenger Hunt

Use a variety of resources to find answers to some very interesting trivia questions about the Liberty Bell.

With so many interesting facts to learn about this famous bell, you’ll want to add this Liberty Bell Timeline Trivia scavenger hunt to your lesson plans.

Make a Map

Make map work more interesting by drawing, tracing, building and even eating your map creations!!

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Play Colonial Games

With a few simple items you can make games and toys that children of all ages enjoyed playing in colonial times.

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Recreate Ben Franklin’s Inventions

He is often referred to as one of our county’s “Founding Fathers,” but Benjamin Franklin’s contributions reached well beyond his politics and diplomacy. He was also a writer, printer, scientist and inventor.

Tweens/teen can get a better understanding of what daily life was like for the American colonists with these creative colonial hands-on history projects. Great for middle school history.

Travel Brochure Project

Create an engaging travel brochure to share information about your favorite colony.

Early American history is full of exciting people, events, battles, and more that make it easy to enjoy studying. Get out of the textbook and make middle school history come alive with these hands-on activities. One of our favorites was adding cooking to our lesson plan. There's such a wide variety of projects here, you'll definitely find something your teen will want to do. Don't make history boring! #colonialhistory #USHistory #handsonhistory #middleschool #tweens #teens #educationpossible

As you can see, there are a ton of things you can do to make Early American History fun for your homeschooler. Hopefully, you’ve found the perfect project to add to your lesson plans.

More Fun Early American History Activities

What’s your favorite way to make history exciting for middle school?

Make the 13 Colonies interactive for your middle schooler with this notebooking unit.