Kindergarten students are often curious about the world around them, and election time is no exception! While it’s important to discuss elections, navigating the topic without diving into politics can be a challenge. Here are some creative ideas to help you teach your students about the election process while keeping it fun and educational.

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Election Day Activities for Kindergarten

Start with Vocabulary
Introduce key terms like President, White House, election, vote, and ballot. Using the phrase “informed decision” helps students understand that voting involves thoughtful choices rather than random selections. These words will be vital as they learn about the election.

Read Engaging Books
Building background knowledge is crucial. I recommend using books to make the topic relatable. Check out our list of teacher-approved Election books here!

Discuss Presidential Requirements
Talk about what it takes to be a president. Discuss the responsibilities and qualities needed for the role. This conversation can inspire students and help them understand the significance of leadership.

Conduct Mock Elections
Nothing beats hands-on experience! While I advise against having students vote on the actual candidates, you can create a mock election scenario. Start by registering to vote, and culminate the activity with a fun “I VOTED” necklace for each student.

There are so many different ideas for different kinds of elections out there.  Pick one that you like and I am sure your kids will love it.

Create a Pros and Cons Chart
Encourage students to think critically by discussing their thoughts as a class. Create a pros and cons chart for the candidates or issues at hand, allowing students to research and make informed decisions.

More Election Day Activities for Kindergarten

Tally Votes and Graph Results
When it’s time to vote, tally the results together as a class. This is a fantastic opportunity to integrate math skills! Tally votes as a group, then use the tallies to create a simple graph. This not only reinforces counting but also introduces basic data representation.

Simulate Running for Election
Let students experience the excitement of running for office! Have them fill out class applications and create posters for a mock class president election. This activity fosters discussions about behavior and expectations, making it a meaningful experience.

And Simply Kinder has you covered to teach all of this with our Election Day Unit for Kindergarten.  (It will work for some preschools and first grades too).

Looking for some great short videos to show your class about the elections or presidents?  Click here for the full list.

And for more great books about elections, see our must read list here: