Hamilton Resources for Elementary School Kids
“What is this?” my daughter asked one morning. I was making tea, packing school lunches and listening to My Shot from Hamilton: The Musical. I explained that it was a from a musical about Alexander Hamilton.
“Who?” she asked. To be fair that’s what most of us probably would have said ten year ago. To be even more fair, she’s eight. I gave a brief explanation, she grabbed her bowl of cereal, and I assumed that would be the end.
Fast forward 6 months and Hamilton is now her obsession. She knows most of the soundtrack by heart. She was Alexander Hamilton for her third grade Living Museum presentation. She has read every children’s book about Alexander Hamilton that I could find. She knows his life story, the history surrounding his life story, and at least half of what I knew about early American History when I took my AP exam in high school.
She is obsessed.
And I know she’s not the only one. So – if your child is equally fascinated by the life and times of Alexander Hamilton and happens to have some extra time right now (ahem, Coronavirus) then this post is for you. Below are all of the fun, interesting, and Hamilton fanatical things we’ve enjoyed. If you have others to add to this list PLEASE tell me in the comments because there’s just never enough Hamilton love in the world 🙂
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Please note: Hamilton The Musical contains a great deal of swear words and other content that may be viewed as inappropriate for kids. Preview content and use your best judgement for your kids and your family. I have used everything below with my 8-9 year old twins, but have also discussed the appropriate use of swear words and other content with them. I feel that their enthusiasm for reading, history and music that has come out of their interest in Hamilton far outweighs my concerns, but you need to do what you think is best for you.
Reading + Writing
Alexander Hamilton Book List for Kids. There are at least a dozen children’s books about Hamilton, but these are the best ones we’ve read so far.
Aaron and Alexander: The Most Famous Duel in American History
buy online
Who Was Alexander Hamilton?
buy online
Hamilton
buy online
Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
buy online
There are some other book suggestions in this post from Crafty Moms Share.
Some Writing Ideas:
- Revolutionary War Easy Reader and Writing from 3 Dinosaurs
- Who Was it? Hercules Mulligan was one of my daughter’s favorite characters in the musical so she LOVED this spy themed activity from Board Games for Learning.
- We also did this SECRET CODE activity from Jarrett Lerner (make sure to check out all of his awesome printables. They aren’t Hamilton related but they’re super fun!)
Watch + Listen
Podcasts and Videos that are okay for kids related Alexander Hamilton and the musical.
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: Alexander Hamilton
PBS Kids Link
Hamilton the Musical Soundtrack on Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Lin-Manuel Miranda Performs at the White House Poetry Jam
YouTube Link
Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Zoom Performance of “Alexander Hamilton”
YouTube Link
Top 10 Best Hamilton Songs
YouTube Link
Dive into American History
- Visit the National Museum of American History online
- Beyond the Battle Virtual Field trip on American Revolution Museum
- American Revolution Homeschool Units from 123Homeschool4Me
- Children’s Books about the American Revolution from 3 Dinosaurs (my daughter was especially excited about the first one!)
- Learn more about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson with National Geographic Kids.
- Fun Boston Tea Party Activities from Crafty Moms Share
- Sam Adams Reading Comprehension from This Wise Owl Factory
- Make Cotton Ball Wigs from 3 Dinosaurs. We did this and then read quotes from Hamilton, Washington and Jefferson.
- You know us and field trips, when life once again allows for travel we would love to explore some of these historical sites that Kara Carrero shares on her blog.