Hands-On Activities for Studying the Civil War

The Civil War always fascinated me. It happened in our own country, therefore it’s crucial for our kids to learn about it. If you want your kids to know more about American History, these resources and hands-on activities for studying the American Civil War will be all the information you need.

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It is so interesting to me that there was a civil war in America. I know it had to happen, but to believe that it had to get to that point is intriguing to me. This war literally shaped their future. It shaped our today.

Why did the American Civil War even start?

I think when we think about the American Civil War, what we think about is the abolishment of slavery. I was hoping there wasn’t an ulterior motive. We genuinely hope the war was solely about freeing slaves.

History books say the war was primarily a result of the disagreements over the institution of slavery. Other sources state that the broader reason was the economics of slavery and the political control over the system.

I am overly simplifying the event, so bear with me. From what I gathered:

The Southern states didn’t care for the federal government’s laws, especially their right to own slaves. They also wanted to expand their territory westward and wanted to take their slaves with them.

The Northern states did not agree with slavery. At the same time, the Republican Party was growing and didn’t agree with the South’s ideas of western expansion.

Abraham Lincoln was from the Republican Party, and the Southern states knew they no longer had influence needed to have their way. Therefore, they decided to secede from the union, and this eventually led to the war.

It is obvious why we need to teach our kids about this monumental 4-year war on American soil.

The American Civil War was the deadliest war in American history. The North’s win over the Civil War led to the abolishment of slavery. Where would America be without this?

Our country is a melting pot right now, but had it not started with this civil uproar, what then? The result of the war changed the whole route of America’s future. The unjust and inhumane act of slavery had to go.

Studying the Civil War in your homeschool can get slightly dull for kids if you don’t teach it in a way kids can stay engaged.

Engaging activities for our kids when studying history can make all the difference. Scroll down for all sorts of free resources you can use to study the Civil War in your homeschool. 

Recommended Resource: Living During the Civil War – A Notebooking Journey

Bring history to life for your students! Take your children on an adventure of imagining what life was like during the Civil War in the years of 1861 to 1865.

This fun notebooking journal includes coloring sheets, spaces to draw illustrations, questions for research, comparison charts, 13 biography notebooking pages for famous people during the Civil War, and more.

These hands-on activities for studying the Civil War will help get your kids excited about American History:

Projects:

Project-Based Slavery and Civil War Unit Study | Our Journey Westward

Civil War Deck of Cards Project–No PREP! | Red Stick Teaching Materials

Salute to Social Studies with Civil War Projects! | The Social Studies Whisperer

Causes of the Civil War PBL: Worlds of the North and South Newspaper Project | Amped-Up Learning

Civil War Projects, Writing and Research for Upper Elementary Students | Gina Kennedy

Crafts:

Civil War “Housewife” Craft Activity (FREE Download) | Education.com

American History Crafts & Projects: the 1800s | A Book in Time

Hands-on Activities:

Civil War and Reconstruction Hands-On Review Puzzles | Active History Teacher

Create Your Own Trading Cards – Civil War Activities | Heart 2 Heart Teaching

Civil War Uniforms Internet Scavenger Hunt WebQuest Activity | Jersey Girl Gone South

Hands-On Civil War Activities for Kids | Educationpossible

CIVIL WAR Lapbook – Social Studies Activity | Project Based Learning with Elle Madison

FREE Civil War Timeline, Cover Page and Chart | Rockin Resources

Civil War Stations FREE Anchor Chart | Nadine Gilkison

FREEBIE! Civil War – Battles (Activities) | Bring Lit On

Mini-Interactive FREE Civil War Notebook | Karla’s Kreations

Civil Rights Timeline FREE Worksheet for Kids | Squarehead Teachers

Battle Station Activities – Civil War | Lit in Focus

Civil War ESCAPE ROOM! | Amped-Up Learning

I Have, Who Has/Looping Cards-Civil War | Amped-Up Learning

Civil War Battles: Station Activity Emoji Activity (baggies) | Active History Teacher

Need some help with resources to teach about the American Civil War in your homeschool?

I got you covered.

Grab these excellent resources to teach your kids all about the Civil War.

FREE Civil War Printables & Resources for Your Homeschool

Grades 1-5 Civil War Unit Study | Creekside Learning

Causes of the Civil War Primary Source Analysis FREE Handout | Michele Luck’s Social Studies

FREE Civil War Quiz | Education.com

Civil War Notebooking Unit | Write Bonnie Rose

Copywork Civil War Activities for Kids | Write Bonnie Rose

Leaders of the American Civil War Coloring Book-Level B or C |Write Bonnie Rose

Civil War History Curriculum (FREE Educational Resource) | CivilWar.org

FREE Civil War Foldables for Interactive Notebooks | Not so Wimpy Future

Hands-On Civil War Unit Study | Susan’s Homeschool Blog

FREE Leaders of the American Civil War Notebooking

Civil War Important People Classroom Posters | Jersey Girl Gone South

FREE Civil War Facts & Worksheets | kidskonnect

15 Civil War Units for 5th Grade and Middle School | The Clever Teacher

American Girl Addy Civil War Unit Study | Field of Daisies

7 Teacher Approved Civil War Videos for Kids | The Clever Teacher

Learning about the Civil War for kids | 123Homeschool4Me

Differences Between North & South (Civil War) | Live Teach Wander

FREE Civil War for Kids Mini Book and FREE Worksheets | 123Homeschool4Me

American Civil War Civil War Unit study | Adventures in Mommydom

32 Virtual Field Trips for American History | Bookshark.com