Hands-On Renaissance Activities – Studying the Renaissance

The word renaissance has quite significant meaning. If we explain to our children the definition of what renaissance means, it would be an excellent catalyst for teaching about the Renaissance. Incorporating some fun Renaissance activities can help you reinforce your history lessons.

Learning about the Renaissance with Hands-on Renaissance Activities

The Renaissance time period is one of my favorite ones to share with my children. When you use hands-on activities for studying the Renaissance in your homeschool, you can bring your kids through a great Renaissance experience and male history come alive.

What was the Renaissance?

Renaissance means rebirth. When it comes to the Renaissance period, there was a rebirth of learning. Renaissance, in its rebirth, brought a renewing of education, art, science, literature, music, and even culture. It was known as a time of coming out of the darkness.

The Renaissance (14th to the 17th century in Europe) is known as the gateway from the Middle Ages to what we know as modern times. Since the Middle Ages are called the Dark Ages, it would only make sense the Renaissance is known for bringing the culture out of the dark.

The People of the Renaissance

Have you ever heard of the term Renaissance Man? That reference came straight out of this period – that fact flew over my head. When you think of the times that produced the men of the Renaissance, you can understand the meaning behind the term Renaissance Man.

Some men came out of this period who indeed could be described as Renaissance men, men who were experts in many disciplines.

• Leonardo de Vinci (1452–1519) was an artist, master painter, sculptor, inventor, scientist, -architect, engineer, and writer even.
• Michelangelo (1475–1564)  was an expert painter, architect, and sculptor.
• Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) was a mathematician, astronomer, scientist, physicist, and philosopher.
• Isaac Newton (1643–1727) was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, theologian, natural philosopher, and alchemist.

Renaissance Activities

Grab these hands-on activities for studying the Renaissance to create an experience for your kids rather than another dull history lesson.

• *E-Learning* Renaissance and Reformation Customizable Escape Room/Breakout Game | Loquacious Learning
• Distance Learning Renaissance Interactive Vocabulary Activity Set Google Ready | Instructomania with Mr and Mrs P
• Art: Renaissance Activity – Create a Modern Mona Lisa | Addie Williams

Renaissance Activities for Middle School

• Renaissance Project! Important People of the Renaissance Portrait and Obituary | One Teacher’s Adventures
• The Renaissance: Escape Room – Social Studies | Escape Room EDU
• Renaissance Men Cootie Catchers | TES.com
• Renaissance Italy City States Map Activity – Google Classroom Distance Learning | Literacy in Focus
• The Renaissance Task Cards and Activities Bundle | Science Spot

Renaissance Games for Students

• STEM Renaissance Activities Dome Building with Brunelleschi | Education with DocRunning
• Renaissance Color Interactive Notebook Pages Graphic Organizers for Renaissance | Education with DocRunning
• No Prep Renaissance Word Search Puzzle | Puzzles to Print
• Renaissance Art History Crossword Puzzle | ArtsyCat
• FREE Renaissance Quiz Game Question Cards | Student Handouts

Renaissance Activities for High School

• Renaissance ESCAPE ROOM | Amped Up Learning
• Renaissance Unit | The Hermit Crabs Homeschool
• FREE Renaissance Quiz | Help Teaching

Famous People of the Renaissance

Use these free Renaissance men resources for your Renaissance lessons.

• Famous Artist Videos (Da Vinci/Michelangelo/Raphael) | Createful Art
• Renaissance Activity (Leonardo Da Vinci, Martin Luther, Copernicus etc) | Science Spot

Leonardo da Vinci

• Printable Leonardo da Vinci FREE Flipbook | Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers
• STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity | Tina’s Dynamic  Homeschool Plus 
• A Quick Leonardo da Vinci Unit Study for Your Homeschool | Journey Westward
• FREE Printables and Resources About Leonardo da Vinci 

Raphael

• Learning About Raphael and the Italian Renaissance and Create a Fresco FREE Printable | Life Beyond the Lesson Plan

Michelangelo

• Michelangelo Soap Sculpture Activity FREE Printable | Research Planet
• Hey Kids, Meet Michelangelo (FREE Printable) | Making Art Fun
• Famous Artist Series: Michaelangelo FREE Resources, Printables and Unit Studies

Galileo Galilei

• Let’s Study Galileo: Science & Truth Mini-Course   (Scroll down to the large red “Click here” image) | Captivating Compass
• FREE Printables and Resources About Galileo Galilei

Isaac Newton

• 20-Page FREE Isaac Newton Quotes & Copywork | Captivating Compass
• FREE Printables and Resources About Isaac Newton

In Conclusion

Our kids can surely memorize facts about this significant period, or they can learn about the Renaissance in ways they can remember and enjoy. These hands-on activities, along with studying the Renaissance men of the period will help them get a well-rounded knowledge base of the time.