100+ American History Lessons and Activities for Homeschoolers

You won’t run out of ideas for teaching history with this list of 100+ American history lessons and activities.

Exploring the history of the United States can easily be much more than just reading dry text books and memorizing a bunch of dates from the past.  It doesn’t have to be boring! Many of our fellow homeschoolers would agree that it can easily be filled with fun American history activities, living books, field trips, and more.

There are so many interesting people and notable events to learn about when studying American history in middle school.

That’s where this ultimate list comes in. I want to help you make your history lesson plans as engaging as possible. Use these ideas, which include unit studies, note booking pages, crafts, recipes, and DIY projects to make history come to life for your middle schooler.

See what exciting things you can do in history this week.

American History doesn't have to be boring thanks to these 100+ activities and lesson ideas. This ultimate history list is full of notebooking, hands-on projects, living books, field trip ideas, unit studies, and more that your teen will enjoy. Fill your middle school history lesson plans and bring history to life for your tweens and teens. Have I included your favorite hands-on US history project? #USHistory #historyisfun #handsonhistory #educationpossible #homeschooling #tweens #teensThis post contains affiliate links.

American History Lessons and Activities Make History Fun

Colonial America

 When studying early American history, include as many games and hands-on activities as possible to bring the time period to life. Get your teens involved by mapping out some key points and events from history. These are easy ways to get creative with mapping out Colonial history. You'll be having fun with history while working on geography. We loved the build and create project! #USHistory #colonialhistory #historyisfun #handsonhistory #tweens #teens #geography #homeschooling #educationpossible

American Revolution

 

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. It’s the perfect way to add some fun into your American history studies.

 

Westward Expansion  

 

Is your middle schooler is studying about the American Pioneers? This unit study is exactly what your older student needs to use along side your American history curriculum. Make your lessons interactive with a wide variety of activities like notebooking, a craft, a period recipe, and more. Plus, helpful resources to aid your teen's research into the American frontier. We love the discussion questions! #pioneers #USHistory #unitstudy #middleschool #tweens #teens #educationpossible

 

The Civil War

 

We have found many projects and activities to help our middle school kids to learn more about the American Civil War. We love books, music, art, and of course history hands-on activities. Project ideas for tweens/teens.

 

Late 1800s to Present

 

The Benefits of Making Mistakes: Lessons from Thomas Edison

 

American Presidents

 

 

General American History Resources

 

I love adding board games into our homeschool lesson plans. They're a fun and simple way to teach key concepts and review facts. One of my favorite places to use board games in middle school is in history. There are a lot of names, dates, and facts that kids need to learn and games are a fun way to teach this information. I've shared two of my favorite games for hands-on history - is yours one of them? #historyisfun #middleschool #tweens #teens #educationpossible #homeschooling #handsonhistory

 

American History Curriculum

 

If your middle schooler is studying Colonial America, then this 13 Colonies Notebooking and Activity Unit Study is exactly what your older student needs to use along side your American History curriculum. It will help make history more interactive with the wide variety of activities included. Things like notebooking, drawing prompts, a craft, a game, a period recipe, and more. Plus, helpful resources to aid your teen's research. #colonialhistory #USHistory #unitstudy #middleschool #tweens #teens #educationpossible

 

What are your family’s favorite American history lessons and activities?


Looking for 100 more ideas?  The bloggers of iHN are sharing 100 posts, each with 100 ideas!

 

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5 Comments

  1. We enjoy History and Geography in our home school. In fact my oldest was in an American Girl Doll play at our co-op and super surprised us with her performance. My husband and I also created a new version of the 50 States and Capitals song in which we started in the NE and moved our way west very methodically. We thought it would be easier to learn that way and be more mentally appealing for kids and grown-ups. Hop you get a chance to listen! Thanks for the resources!
    Stephanie

      1. Thank you for your feedback Susan! It means a lot, and thank you for sharing. We hope home schools everywhere will really find it effective.

        Stephanie

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