Anticipating Change: How to Celebrate Inauguration Day With Your Kids

A new year, new goals, and a new president to take office in just a few days! Feeling unsure about the future? Or maybe you're just unsure about how to celebrate with your kids? Either way, you'll find something happy and helpful here.

Right side: US capitol with a crows and US flag
Left side: light yellow background with coral box, "how we do inauguration day in our homeschool"

Is Inauguration Day a Holiday Worth Celebrating With Your Kids?

Yes! Of course! They are citizens in this country and so are you which means you get permission to celebrate.

Our family is looking forward to Inauguration Day. Sometimes we're filled more more excitement than others, but I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our constitutional republic and the peaceful transfer of power we have enjoyed in our country since its beginning every 4 years. Isn't it amazing that even if the president wins re-election, we still have an inauguration for their new term?

I have learned not to take this day too personally. Whether the candidate I wanted won or lost, I focus on remembering the principles we are celebrating, not necessarily the person in office. I also avoid politics and allow my children to see how government functions. They have many questions and it's a great opportunity for me to learn alongside them.

Considering Inauguration Day is overlapping with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year, it's a double holiday and definitely worth celebrating! This is very rare and if you're like me, you'll want to point it out to your kids. Does it mean anything? Maybe not. But it's cool!

How to Enjoy Celebrating Inauguration Day With the Kids

watch the inaugural coverage live
if the parade happens (it's going to be COLD!) try to watch it
listen to the President's speech
plan a fancy dinner and ball (or pizza and dance party!)
set up a special viewing area to watch from (make it cozy or formal)
do some exploring and see how many cool facts you can find about inaugural events
compare the vice president and president oaths
make snacks and toss a freezer meal in the crockpot so you don't have to worry about cooking today
give yourself some time to journal your thoughts and feelings of the day
encourage your kids to journal with words or drawings too!

Just a little disclaimer here. We have heard there's potential for violence and unrest. While I sincerely hope it's not a high risk, I realize it's part of our reality and something we have to consider. You may want to watch the next day, so that watching the coverage live with your child(ren) doesn't result in unexpected scenes should something unforeseen occur. Let's all hope and pray for a peaceful day.

Treats to Enrich Your Inauguration Day Celebration

Making the treats is always a highlight for my kids! I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said 94% of our family memories are made in the kitchen. You can try making something new or use a tried and true recipe. Here are a few of our favorites to inspire you.

snickerdoodle cookies
homemade rolls with jam
bread and meat with cheese for quick sandwiches
tortilla roll-ups with veggie cream cheese, ham, and lettuce
veggie tray
fruit kabobs

My personal favorite for all America specific holidays is a 9x13 pan of Jell-o with whipped topping, then halved strawberries and blueberries on top. The red, white, and blue is fun and it's a yummy sweet treat that my family loves!

Grab Our Free Study and Activity Guide

I love creating things for my family and being able to share them with you! While much of what we do is centered around our family's homeschool, you do NOT have to homeschool to love this printable!

In this guide, my goal is to inspire you and your kids to want to learn more. You'll find fact cards, videos to enrich your learning about how this change takes place on Inauguration Day (and leading up to it), as well some additional resources you can use to dive a little deeper.

I hope our simple guide will bring new fun so that you can also enjoy celebrating Inauguration Day with your kids too! Remember, celebrating doesn't have to be complicated. It can be simple and meaningful.