Columbus day activities

Columbus day activities, for everyone--not just Americans and Italians.

 

Columbus day activities for children and pre-k

Christopher Columbus is a favourite historical figure for teachers and parents of young children. It is worth celebrating Columbus day even in countries, like the United Kingdom, that have no direct connection to Christopher Columbus. 

Kindergarten lessons and school plays would be great venues in which to introduce Christopher Columbus. Arts and crafts based projects are also a good idea. Columbus day clipart and graphics can be found free on the internet. There are also some good, simple poems and songs about Christopher Columbus that the children can learn. Or they can write their own. You can find Columbus day worksheets and lesson plans online to structure the day's activities.

Of course, the early explorers are controversial figures, because of their negative impacts on native populations. So it is important to check out the American native perspective of Columbus day. Older children can be introduced to complex issues of immigration and multiculturalism through Columbus day.

There are many possible Columbus day activities for children. For instance, you could put up Columbus day decorations. Italian restaurant owners, I am sure, will be happy to provide details of where these can be found! A map of the Christopher Columbus route across the Atlantic would be a great addition to a school or bedroom wall, as would pictures of Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean.

I hope this has given parents, teachers, and children some ideas for Columbus day activities for kids. It is important to celebrate the spirit of exploration that has done so much to advance the human race.

Columbus day FAQ

When is Columbus day? It's the second Monday In October

Should Columbus day be a national holiday? This is for Americans, Spanish and Italians to decide through democratic processes in their countries. It's not on the agenda elsewhere, Columbus is too flawed a character for that. His treatments of the native's of Haiti would negate the possibility of an international holiday. Although, everyone should admire Columbus' spirit of exploration and his expertise as a navigator.