Free Printables and Resources About Washington, D.C.
Published:
January 18, 2021
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Aren’t you curious about Washington, D.C.????? How did it get its name, and why isn’t it a state? These free printables and resources about Washington, D.C., will help your homeschoolers learn all about the nation’s capital.
Is it just me or does the idea of Washington, D.C., intrigue people? I really enjoyed learning about Washington, D.C., right alongside my kids.
Learning the history of the nation’s capital was my favorite personally because I had no idea or maybe I didn’t remember.
It wasn’t the first try at a nation’s capital. Congress had much trouble trying to agree on a location for the capital. In the 1700s, the U.S. government started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then moved to New York City, New York, then on to Princeton, New Jersey, then finally Washington, D.C., in 1800.
Washington, D.C., isn’t a state, but Maryland and Virginia both gave up some land along the Potomac River in order to place the new capital of the United States of America.
And . . . of course, I didn’t know why it was called Washington, D.C., before teaching it to my children. I am not ashamed. I have learned so much right with my kids.
Congress named the capital area the District of Columbia in honor of Christopher Columbus. Many people called it Washington in honor of George Washington, the first president. So now, the area is called Washington, District of Columbia (D.C.).
Because Washington, D.C., isn’t a state, it does not have voting members in Congress, but the people still elect their own mayor. Many would love for Washington, D.C., to become a state to have voting representatives in Congress.
I mean, more people live in D.C. than live in Vermont or Wyoming. Just last year in June 2020, for the first time in U.S. history, a chamber of the United States Congress voted 232-180 in favor of giving Washington, D.C., statehood. There are a few more steps to go, and many arguments for and against statehood, but it will be interesting how soon that may or may not happen.
Besides the rich history of Washington, D.C., there are so many cool facts kids (and you) can learn about.
Here are our favorite facts all about Washington, D.C., that we learned from our unit study:
1. George Washington never lived in the White House.
The build was complete for the next president John Adams.
2. Drain the swamp?
Well, that is actually a true statement. The national monuments of Washington, D.C., are in an area that used to be marshland and swamp. As a matter of fact, two different presidents had pet alligators at the White House – Herbert Hoover and John Quincy Adams.
3. The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., is made up of 19 different museums and the National Zoo.
4. There are 170 country embassies and international cultural centers in D.C. which are considered “foreign soil.” So technically, you can visit 170+ different countries right from Washington, D.C.
5. This is the coolest. Washington, D.C., has miles and miles of secret tunnels and trains. This is called the Senate Subway, which can be used by senators and members of the House to travel between their offices and the Capitol Building.
Explore these free printables and resources about Washington, D.C.:
A Fun Washington, D.C., Unit Study For Kids | Homeschool and Humor
Washington, D.C., Pictures and Facts | National Geographic Kids
The History of Washington, D.C. | Kids Discover Online
Washington, D.C., Fun Facts for Kids | Washington DC
D.C. Facts, Worksheets, Etymology & History | KidsKonnect
Washington, D.C., Facts for Kids | Kids encyclopedia facts
All About Washington, D.C. (FREE Resources) | TheHomeSchoolMom
Washington, D.C., Coloring Pages | Free Coloring Pages
FREE Worksheets Washington, D.C., Symbols | Education.com
Learning All About Washington, D.C. | Unremarkable Files
Washington, D.C., Resources for Homeschool or Travel (Unit Studies, FREE Printables, and More) | Ben and Me
Where is Washington, D.C.? | TripSavvy
Washington, District of Columbia, Map/Quiz FREE Printout | Enchanted Learning
All About Washington, District of Columbia | Awesome America
Information Page Washington, D.C. | 50States.com
Nation’s Capital Washington, D.C., FREEBIE | PittWillow Designs
10 Fun Facts About Washington, D.C., for Kids | Multicultural Kids Blogs
FREE Washington, D.C., Printable Worksheet | Kids Academy
Washington D.C. famous landmarks resources:
FREE Washington Monument Notebooking Page | Homeschool Helper Online
12 Washington Monument Facts That Will Surprise You | Silver Sightseer
The Washington Monument for Kids – Short History Lesson (VIDEO) | Creative Cricket
Korean War Memorial FREE Notebooking Page | Homeschool Helper Online
World War II Memorial FREE Notebooking Page | Homeschool Helper Online
The Lincoln Memorial Facts & FREE Worksheets | KidsKonnect
Virtual Tour – Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | NaturalHistory.si.ed
FREE Printable White House Coloring Pages | Coloring Goo
Draw the U.S. Capitol Building Activity | Art Projects for Kids
Virtual tours, videos, and app about Washington, D.C.:
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Capitol for Children | Social Studies for Kids Academy
United States Geography for Kids: District of Columbia | Ducksters
Explore Washington, D.C., From Home With This Free, Smithsonian Scholar-Led Tour | SmithsonianMag
All About Washington, D.C., For Kids | Colleen C
Washington, D.C., (Grades K-5) Virtual Tour | Virtual Field Trips
The Interactive Virtual Tour of Washington, D.C. | America’s HomePage
App Went FREE: Washington, D.C., by Kids Discover | iGameMom
All About Washington, D.C., and Resources | The Homeschool Mom
Study and learn about U.S. Presidents who live or have lived in the White House – Washington, D.C.:
U.S. President’s Tot & PreK-K Pack | In All You Do
FREE President Flashcards | One Beautiful Home
American Presidents Notebooking (FREE Resource) | Homeschool Helper Online
FREE Presidents’ Activities | School is a Happy Place
President Quotes FREE Copywork | Walking By the Way
U.S. Presidents for Kids FREE Printable Book | 123 Homeschool 4 Me
WHITE HOUSE Washington, D.C., President Study Guide FREE | Gold Mine of Ideas
Study about the United States Government that is housed in Washington, D.C.:
FREE Resources for Studying the Branches of Government
U.S. Government Vocabulary Copywork
FREE Resources to Learn About the U.S. Government
Learn about the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights that are all located at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.:
Resources to Celebrate Constitution Day
FREE U.S. Constitution Vocabulary Copywork
FREE Declaration of Independence Copywork
FREE Printable of The Declaration of Independence | The Peaceful Haven
Government and Current Events FREE Lessons from The Bill of Rights Institute | How to Homeschool for Free
FREE Printable Bill of Rights Matching Game | Layers of Learning
Books to check out of your local library and free book resources about Washington, D.C.:
31 Washington, D.C., Books For Kids To Add To Your Shelf | DC Travel Mag
Reading Street First Grade Word Cards FREEBIE “A Trip to Washington, D.C.” | Look Who’s in First Grade
A Trip to Washington, D.C., Test FREEBIE | Nicola Goosen
With this new presidential term coming up in the United States of America, it makes a great time for your kids to learn where all the government decisions come from.
While you are at it, take some time to pray for Washington, D.C., and the government throughout your lessons to get your kids in the habit of praying for those in authority.
