What Does a President Do? A Kid’s Guide to the Presidency
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Ever wondered what it’s like to be the President of the United States? It’s a big job with lots of responsibilities! At Presidents For Kids, we’re here to break it down in a fun, kid-friendly way. This guide explains what a president does, using simple words and exciting examples to help kids understand the role of America’s leader. Whether you’re a parent, homeschooler, or just curious, let’s dive into the world of the presidency with activities and facts that make learning a blast!
What Is the President’s Job?
The president is like the captain of a giant team called the United States. They make important decisions to keep the country safe, fair, and strong. The president lives in the White House in Washington, D.C., and works with Congress, the military, and world leaders. Think of them as a leader who helps solve big problems and plans for the future!
5 Key Things a President Does
Here’s a simple rundown of the president’s main jobs, with fun ways to learn about each one:
1. Leads the Country
What It Means: The president makes big decisions, like how to help people during emergencies (like hurricanes) or how to create jobs. They give speeches to inspire everyone, like the famous State of the Union address.
Fun Fact: President Abraham Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, a short speech that helped unite the country during the Civil War.
Activity: Write your own “Kid President Speech” about what you’d do to make your school or town better. Share it with your family!
Learn More: Check out The White House Historical Association for videos on famous presidential speeches.
2. Signs Laws
What It Means: The president works with Congress to make laws that help the country run smoothly. They can sign a bill to make it a law or say “no” (called a veto) if they think it’s not a good idea.
Fun Fact: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964, which helped make sure everyone was treated equally.
Activity: Pretend you’re the president and create a new “law” for your household, like “Everyone gets a weekly ice cream day.” Draw a picture of you signing it!
Learn More: Visit Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government for a kid-friendly explanation of how laws are made.
3. Commands the Military
What It Means: The president is the commander-in-chief, which means they lead the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other military groups to keep the country safe.
Fun Fact: President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a general in World War II before becoming president, so he knew a lot about the military!
Activity: Build a model of a military plane or ship using paper or toys, and talk about how the president makes decisions to protect the country.
Learn More: Explore The American Presidency Project for stories about presidents and the military.
4. Meets World Leaders
What It Means: The president talks to leaders from other countries to make friends, solve problems, or plan for peace. They might host a fancy dinner at the White House or travel abroad.
Fun Fact: President John F. Kennedy met with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to help avoid a big conflict during the Cold War.
Activity: Create a “world leader” costume using household items and role-play a meeting with the president. What would you talk about?
Learn More: Check out National Geographic Kids for fun facts about presidents and global friendships.
5. Lives in the White House
What It Means: The president and their family live in the White House, which is both a home and an office. They host events, meet visitors, and even have fun, like bowling in the White House basement!
Fun Fact: President Barack Obama’s daughters had a swing set installed at the White House for fun.
Activity: Draw or build a model of your dream White House room (maybe a game room or pet zone!). Visit Our White House for cool White House stories.
Learn More: Take a virtual White House tour at whitehousehistory.org.
Fun Ways to Learn About the Presidency
- Play a President Quiz: Make a quiz with questions like “Which president signed the law to create national parks?” (Theodore Roosevelt).
- Create a Presidential Timeline: Draw a timeline of presidents and add one big thing each did (e.g., Lincoln ended slavery). Use National Archives for facts.
- Act Like a President: Pretend you’re president for a day! Decide on a new rule for your house and explain why it’s important.
- Visit a Presidential Site: If you can, visit a place like Mount Vernon or the JFK Library. Check our top presidential sites for kids post for ideas, or take a virtual tour!
Tips for Parents and Homeschoolers
- Keep It Age-Appropriate: For ages 4–8, focus on stories and crafts (e.g., drawing the White House). For ages 9+, discuss laws or leadership using primary sources.
- Use Free Resources: Sites like Ben’s Guide and the White House Historical Association offer free, kid-friendly content.
- Make It Interactive: Combine activities like role-playing or quizzes to suit visual, auditory, and hands-on learners.
- Connect to Today: Talk about the current president’s actions to show how the role impacts daily life.
- Encourage Questions: Ask kids, “What would you do as president?” to spark critical thinking and creativity.
Why Learn About the Presidency?
Understanding what a president does helps kids learn about leadership, teamwork, and how the U.S. government works. These activities and resources make the presidency relatable and fun, turning history into an adventure. Whether it’s signing laws or meeting world leaders, kids will see how presidents shape the country—and maybe dream of being a leader themselves!
Get Started with Presidential Learning!
Now you know what a president does, from leading the country to living in the White House. Try one of our activities, like writing a speech or taking a virtual tour, to make learning fun! Ready to be a kid president? Share your favorite activity or presidential fact in the comments below!