15 Fun Lincoln’s Birthday Activities and Crafts for Elementary Students

Hey there, fellow teachers and parents! 👋

February is right around the corner. And you know what that means? It’s time to celebrate one of America’s greatest heroes—Abraham Lincoln!

Every year on February 12th, we honor Honest Abe. But let’s be real. Finding fresh, engaging Lincoln’s Birthday activities for elementary students can feel like a scavenger hunt.

I’ve been there. Searching Pinterest at 10 PM. Scrolling through outdated worksheets. Wondering if kids will actually enjoy any of it.

Good news: I’ve got you covered.

After 30 years of writing about American holidays (and watching countless classrooms light up with excitement), I’ve compiled the ultimate list. These 15 Lincoln’s Birthday crafts and activities are tested, kid-approved, and genuinely fun.

Let’s dive in!

Why Celebrate Lincoln’s Birthday with Kids?

Before we jump into the activities, let’s talk about why this matters.

Abraham Lincoln wasn’t just the 16th President. He was a self-taught lawyer. A storyteller. A man who grew up in a log cabin and changed American history forever.

Teaching kids about Lincoln helps them understand:

• Perseverance through hardship
• The importance of honesty
• How one person can make a difference

Plus, it’s a perfect tie-in to Presidents’ Day and Black History Month. Talk about educational value!

Quick Overview: Lincoln’s Birthday Activities for Elementary Students

Here’s a snapshot of everything we’ll cover:

Now let’s break down each one!

Easy Lincoln’s Birthday Crafts for Kindergarten and First Grade

1. Popsicle Stick Log Cabin Craft

This is a classic for a reason. Kids absolutely love building things.

What you’ll need:

• Popsicle sticks (about 30 per student)
• Brown paint or markers
• Cardboard base
• White glue

How to do it:

1. Paint the popsicle sticks brown. Let them dry.
2. Stack them log-cabin style on the cardboard.
3. Glue as you go.
4. Add a paper door and window.

Pro tip: Pre-paint the sticks the day before. It saves so much time!

This craft teaches fine motor skills while connecting to Lincoln’s humble beginnings. Win-win.

2. Abraham Lincoln Stovepipe Hat Craft for Kids

Nothing says “Lincoln” like that iconic tall hat.

Materials:

• Black construction paper
• Scissors
• Tape or stapler
• Optional: silver buckle cutout

Instructions:

1. Cut a wide strip for the hat band.
2. Measure it around the child’s head. Staple to fit.
3. Cut a tall rectangle. Attach it to the band.
4. Add a circle on top.
5. Cut a brim from another piece.

Kids can wear these during your Lincoln lessons. Trust me—they’ll remember the day forever.

3. Honest Abe Paper Plate Beard Craft

This one always gets giggles.

Supplies:

• Paper plates
• Black or brown yarn
• Scissors
• Glue
• Craft stick (optional handle)

Steps:

1. Cut the paper plate in half.
2. Cut out a chin shape.
3. Glue yarn pieces for the beard.
4. Attach a craft stick as a handle.

Now everyone can pretend to be Lincoln! Perfect for photo ops.

4. Penny Rubbings Art Project

Simple. Calming. Educational.

You’ll need:

• Pennies (lots of them!)
• White paper
• Crayons with paper removed

Place pennies under the paper. Rub crayons over them. Watch Lincoln’s profile appear like magic.

Kids can create patterns. Make borders. Turn them into greeting cards.

This is also a great quiet-time activity when you need a breather.

Hands-On Lincoln’s Birthday Activities for Second and Third Graders

5. Lincoln Penny Sorting Math Activity

Math + history = engaged students.

Setup:

• Give each student 20-30 pennies
• Sorting trays or cups
• Recording sheets

Activity options:

Students love hunting for the oldest penny. It turns into a mini treasure hunt every time.

6. “Why Was Lincoln Called Honest Abe?” Writing Prompt

This activity sparks great conversations.

Start with a brief story about young Lincoln walking miles to return a few pennies to a customer. Then ask students to write about:

• A time they chose to be honest
• Why honesty matters
• What they admire about Lincoln

For younger students, use a sentence frame: “I am honest when I _______________.”

Display these on a “Honesty Wall” for February.

7. Lincoln Fun Facts True or False Game

Kids go crazy for this game.

Preparation:

Create cards with Lincoln facts—some true, some false.

True facts:

• Lincoln was 6 feet 4 inches tall
• He had no middle name
• He was a licensed bartender
• His dog was named Fido

False facts:

• Lincoln invented the telephone
• He was born in Virginia
• He had 10 children

Students hold up TRUE or FALSE signs. Keep score. Award small prizes.

Learning disguised as play? That’s the goal.

8. Abraham Lincoln Read-Aloud Session

Never underestimate the power of a good book.

Best Lincoln picture books for elementary students:

1. Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books by Kay Winters
2. Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells
3. A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David A. Adler
4. Looking at Lincoln by Maira Kalman
5. Abe’s Honest Words by Doreen Rappaport

Read one book. Discuss it. Ask open-ended questions.

What surprised you? What would you ask Lincoln if you could meet him?

Simple. Powerful. Memorable.

Lincoln’s Birthday Classroom Activities for Fourth and Fifth Grade

9. Gettysburg Address Analysis for Kids

The Gettysburg Address is only 272 words. Perfect for upper elementary.

Activity breakdown:

1. Read the speech aloud together.
2. Define tricky words (score, conceived, consecrate).
3. Discuss the main message.
4. Have students illustrate one line.

Discussion questions:

• What was Lincoln asking Americans to do?
• Why do people still remember this speech?
• How does it connect to today?

This activity builds critical thinking and historical literacy.

10. Lincoln Timeline Project

Visual learners thrive with this one.

Key dates to include:

Students can add illustrations, quotes, and fun facts.

Display these in the hallway. Other classes will stop and read them. Guaranteed.

11. Virtual Field Trip to the Lincoln Memorial

Can’t get to Washington, D.C.? No problem.

The National Park Service offers free virtual tours. Google Earth has amazing 3D views.

Pair it with these questions:

• Why is the Lincoln Memorial important?
• What do the 36 columns represent?
• What’s inscribed on the walls?

Students can “visit” and write a postcard about their experience.

Technology meets history. Perfect for modern classrooms.

12. Lincoln Lapbook Project

Lapbooks are interactive. They’re creative. And kids remember what they make.

Sections to include:

• Early life mini-book
• Family facts foldable
• Presidency timeline
• Famous quotes pocket
• Vocabulary flaps

Templates are easy to find online. Or have students design their own.

This works great as a week-long project. A little each day adds up to something impressive.

Tasty Lincoln’s Birthday Snack Ideas for the Classroom

13. Pretzel Log Cabin Snack Activity

Edible crafts? Yes, please.

Ingredients:

• Pretzel sticks
• Graham crackers (base and roof)
• Peanut butter or frosting (glue)
• Mini marshmallows (optional chimney)

Assembly:

1. Spread frosting on graham cracker base.
2. Stack pretzel “logs” to build walls.
3. Add a slanted cracker roof.
4. Top with marshmallow chimney.

Check for allergies first! Sunflower butter works as an alternative.

Kids eat their creations. Crumbs everywhere. But totally worth it.

Creative Writing Lincoln Activities for Elementary Students

14. “If I Were President” Writing Activity

This sparks imagination and civic engagement.

Prompt options:

• If I were President, I would change…
• My first day in the White House would be…
• The most important law I would make is…

Students can illustrate their ideas. Share them aloud. Create a class book.

Some answers will be silly. Some will be profound. All of them matter.

15. Abraham Lincoln Portrait Drawing Lesson

End with art!

Step-by-step guided drawing:

1. Draw an oval face (longer than usual—Lincoln had distinctive features!)
2. Add deep-set eyes
3. Draw his famous nose
4. Add the beard—no mustache!
5. Top with the stovepipe hat
6. Include his signature bow tie

Display these in the classroom. Or send them home as keepsakes.

Pro tip: Show students real Lincoln photos first. They’ll notice details they never saw before.

Free Printable Lincoln’s Birthday Resources for Teachers

Looking for more? Here are some reliable sources:

• Education.com – Lincoln worksheets and coloring pages
• Teachers Pay Teachers – Free and paid Lincoln units
• Library of Congress – Primary source documents
• National Park Service – Virtual tour materials

Most are free. All are classroom-ready.

Final Thoughts: Making Lincoln’s Birthday Memorable

Here’s what I’ve learned after three decades of writing about American holidays:

Kids don’t remember worksheets. They remember experiences.

They remember building that log cabin. Wearing that silly hat. Learning that Lincoln had no middle name.

So pick two or three activities from this list. Make them your own. Add your personal touch.

And most importantly? Have fun with it.

Lincoln believed in the power of education. Honor that legacy by making learning joyful.

Happy Lincoln’s Birthday, friends! 🎩