Presidents Day Directed Drawing: Fun Ideas for Kids

Directed drawing activities are an engaging way to celebrate Presidents' Day, a federal holiday in the United States honoring the country's past and present commanders-in-chief. By combining art and education, these activities help children understand and appreciate the significance of Presidents' Day in a fun and interactive manner. In this article, we'll explore two creative directed drawing ideas that children of all ages will enjoy.

Presidents' Day is a perfect opportunity for kids to learn about leadership, decision-making, and the unique qualities that make each of our presidents distinct. Directed drawing, where you guide students step-by-step through creating a picture, allows for step-by-step instruction while promoting self-expression and creativity. Let's dive into two engaging directed drawing projects focused on Presidents' Day.

Presidents' Day Portraits

The first directed drawing activity involves creating portraits of two iconic U.S. presidents. By breaking down the drawing process into simple steps, you'll help children capture the essence of these historic figures.

Before beginning, gather materials such as white paper, pencils, markers, or colored pencils, and sacrificable reference images of the chosen presidents. We'll use Abraham Lincoln and George Washington as examples.

Abraham Lincoln Portrait

Start by having students lightly sketch a horizontal line across the center of their paper to orient their drawing. Then, guide them to draw a gentle, elongated oval for Lincoln's face, placing it above the horizontal line.

Next, have students draworemost a smaller, shorter oval inside the larger oval for Lincoln's beard. Add two curved lines inside the face oval to indicate the eyes, and two narrower, curved lines beneath the eyes for the nose. Sketch a simple, curving line for Lincoln's mouth, with two small, vertical lines above it for mustache whiskers.

George Washington Portrait

For Washington's portrait, begin with a vertically-oriented oval shape for his face, placed off-center from the paper's edge.

Next, guide students in drawing two smaller ovals inside the face oval for Washington's glasses. Sketch two curved lines above the face oval to create a fold in his wigs, and two lines below the face oval for the cravat (neckcloth). Finally, add details such as the eye and mouth lines, as well as simple, wavy lines for the hair and any remaining details of Washington's attire.

Presidents' Day Symbols Collage

This second directed drawing activity focuses on creating a collage of notable symbols and emblems related to Presidents' Day and the presidency itself.

Before starting, collect or print images of symbols like the U.S. flag, the presidential seal, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, and other relevant images. You'll also need white paper, scissors, glue, markers, or colored pencils for students to embellish their collages.

Collage Creation

Instruct students to draw or trace a large, simple shape – such as an oval, rectangle, or abstract design – on their white paper to serve as the background for their collage. This can represent something like a presidential portrait frame, a podium, or a deliberation table.

Next, have students cut out the collected images and trim them as needed to fit within their chosen background shape. As they arrange the symbols, encourage them to think about how each image represents the office of the U.S. presidency and its history. Once students are satisfied with their arrangement, help them glue the symbols in place.

Collage Embellishments

After gluing the symbols, students can use markers or colored pencils to add details and embellishments to their collages. They could draw borders,privately) outlines, patterns, or additional symbols related to Presidents' Day, such as presidential quotes or historic dates.

To complete their collages, students can each write their name or draw a self-portrait on a small piece of paper and add it to their creation, symbolizing their personal connection to Presidents' Day and the importance of future leadership.

Encourage students to share their portraits or collages with the class, explaining which symbols they chose and why. This will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the significance of Presidents' Day and the symbolic representations of the presidency. With directed drawing activities like these, you'll not only engage students in creative expression but also teach them valuable lessons about U.S. history and leadership.