Even small children can begin to understand the basic concept of voting as a method for making a group decision. Who wants pizza for dinner? Who wants mac 'n cheese? The resources below can help you begin talking with your child about the upcoming election.
If I Ran for President is a great introductory look at what it means to run for office as well as a first look at the election process. The concepts are explained in the simple terms appropriate for children. You can watch a video read aloud of If I Ran for President with your child right now!
More FREE Online Stories:
Websites, Activities & Printables:
- DK Find Out! What Is an Election?
- kids.gov infographic poster: How to Become President of the United States
- Video: How to Become President of the United States from kids.gov
- PBS: The Race is On! - includes FAQ to answer questions like, what do donkeys and elephants have to do with it?
- PBS Kids: The Democracy Project
- Ben's Guide Election of the President including The What and Who of Elections, The History and Process of Voting, and How Elections Happen
- ZOOM: Elections 101
- The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Election Artifacts
More FREE Online Reading:
- 100+ Free Video Read Alouds
- 100 MORE Free Video Read Alouds
- 500+ Free Video Read Alouds & e-Books for Kids
Books:
Use your indyPL Library Card to check out books at any of our locations, or check out e-books and e-audiobooks from home right to your device.
- Election e-books and audiobooks from Axis 360 Kids
- Election e-books and audiobooks from Overdrive Kids
Need help? Call or ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or text a librarian at 317 333-6877.
Introducing Elections to Kids
The books below can help you begin talking with your child about what it means to run for office as well as a first look at the election process. For a funny look at politics try out Duck for President. When Duck becomes dissatisfied by the conditions in the barn working for Farmer Brown, he decides it would be better to be the bird in charge! Clever cartoon illustrations show some of the iconic events associated with elections like parades, speeches on a stage, town meetings, campaign posters and a motorcade. Your child will also find out that being the boss is not as easy as it looks!
V Is for Voting
An introduction to civics for kids.
Froggy for President!
Both Froggy and Frogilina are running for class president, and both have compelling platforms--but which candidate will voters choose?
Vote for Our Future!
The students of Stanton Elementary School, which is a polling place, find out all they can about voting and then encourage everyone in their neighborhoods to cast their ballots.