40+ 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.

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.

Why we need to teach our kids about this

The Civil War was a monumental 4-year war on American soil. The North’s win over the Civil War led to the abolishment of slavery. Where would America be without this?

The American Civil War was the deadliest war in American history. According to a great National Park Civil War Facts infographic, 642,427 Union soldiers and 483,026 Confederate soldiers died on the battlefield, of wounds, disease and as prisoners of war. Think of that over 1 million men died during this war.

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. 

Hands-On Activities for Studying the Civil War

We’ve searched the internet to compile this HSG FREE Resource Roundup list for you of Civil War activities and resources. But if you need or want something quickly, we recommend our Civil War Mini Quiz Pack.

FREE Civil War Curriculum

If you are looking for free Civil War curriculum that is easy to use then be sure to check out American Battlefield Trust as they have curriculum options for elementary, middle school & high school.

They also have additional resources including animated maps, virtual reality videos and more.

Civil War Projects

• Project-Based Slavery and Civil War Unit Study | Our Journey Westward
• Civil War Deck of Cards Project–No PREP! | Red Stick Teaching Materials
• 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
• 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.

Civil War Documentaries

Documentaries can also help the stories from history come alive and can assist visual and auditory leaners. Here are two we recommend:

• Abraham Lincoln (2022) – This three 2-hour mini-series documentary goes gives a detailed look at Abraham Lincoln from childhood through the war.
• The Civil War: A Film By Ken Burns (1990) – A primetime Emmy-award winning documentary 9-part series will give your students the full scope from the causes of the war through Lincoln’s funeral

Civil War Books

Be sure to grab stories and books to add another layer of hands-on learning. Here are a few to consider:

• Red Badge of Courage – First written in 1895, this is a classic novel about the Civil War. It’s recommended for ages 11+ and I highly encourage parents and teachers to read it first to see if it’s the right fit for your students. One option could be a read aloud to give you opportunities for discussion.

• Great Battles for Boys: Civil War – While the focus is for boys, girls can enjoy this one well. It will capture the attention of even reluctant readers.

• Behind Rebel Lines: The Incredible Story of Emma Edmonds, Civil War Spy – Women and girls have also helped to fight battles in different wars but we don’t always hear about them in traditional history books. This story however tells the true story of Emma, a spy in the Civil War. While girls will definitely enjoy this, boys will like reading about how she transformed herself into a spy.

• Civil War On Sunday (Magic Tree House #21) & Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #47: Abe Lincoln at Last! – If your kids are fans of the Magic Tree House books then be sure to get these two books.

More Resources to Teach about the Civil War

• Living During the Civil War – A Notebooking Journey | Daily Skill Building
• 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) | Battlefields.org
• FREE Civil War Foldables for Interactive Notebooks | Not so Wimpy Future
• Hands-On Civil War Unit Study | Susan’s Homeschool Blog
• 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
• Civil War Lesson Plans for Elementary Students
• 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