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Before we get started with our Columbus Day crafts and activities, let’s find out the history of this holiday.
Why is Columbus Day Celebrated?
Columbus Day is a holiday in the United States and commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. It is also called Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
This year we celebrate Columbus Day on Monday, October 10.
Columbus Day is celebrated since 1792 and became a federal holiday in 1937.
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an Italian-born explorer. He set sail in August 1492 in the name of the monarch King Ferdinand of Spain bound Asia.
He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India, and the islands of Asia.
Instead, on October 12, 1492, he stumbled in the Bahamas. His crew were the first Europeans to explore America since the 10th century.
To learn all about his journey and more facts about Columbus Day take a look here.
Columbus Day Books for Kids
Christopher Columbus Day Crafts for Kids
Christopher Columbus Day is around the corner. Here are some great Columbus Day craft ideas for kids.
Our list includes everything from printables to Columbus Day crafts for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.
Let’s get started.
Columbus Day Crafts for Toddlers
Let’s start off with our Columbus Day activities for toddlers.
These Christopher Columbus crafts are easy enough for them to manage by themselves and will bring a lot of fun with them.
Toddler Columbus Day Crafts
Check out this adorable Columbus Day DIY craft for your toddler.
With the help of popsicle sticks and colored cheerios this sailboat will come alive.
Make your own mayflower boat with help of a paper plate and old news papers.
The following tutorial will show you how easy it is for your toddlers to craft for Columbus Day.
Does your toddler prefer to pretend play?
Then check out this cool sailboat basket and let them sail away.
Time for some art activity. With help of your child's handprint, you can let them make an adorable Mayflower art project.
Go check it out here.
This Christopher Columbus project for toddlers is super easy.
Cut your paper plate and fold a coffee filter and your sailboat is nearly finished.
It looks like the perfect Christopher Columbus Day activity for toddlers.
Columbus Day Crafts for Preschoolers
Preschoolers can already be challenged to improve their motor skills. They will enjoy these Columbus Day preschool crafts.
Preschool Columbus Day Crafts
These twig boats look impressive.
It seems like the perfect Christopher Columbus Day craft for preschoolers.
Let them collect small sticks on their next walk and turn them into boats for Columbus Day.
Did you ever draw with spice?
You will have to try it. Here is the perfect tutorial for you.
TIP: This also works with salt. Here is a great Salt Painting Tutorial for you which could help!
Every sailer needs a hat.
Learn how to make a origami paper hat in a few steps here.
In case you like crafting with printables this ship-in-a-bottle craft template is the perfect Columbus Day activity for preschoolers.
Get your free Columbus day printable in the link and let's get started.
Another way to craft for this holiday is by making a boat out of an egg carton.
It seems super easy.
Mayflower Craft and Science Activity Thanksgiving Science for Kids
My preschooler likes science activities. That's when I came across this fun Mayflower craft and Columbus day science experiment.
Go check it out here.
Do you remember how to fold boats out of paper?
In case you forgot here is a step-by-step tutorial for you.
Did you enjoy our fun Columbus Day activities?
Then check out our popular Scarecrow Crafts and Hedgehog Projects, or Pumpkin Crafts for Kids next.
Kindergarten Columbus Day Crafts
Your child is already in Kindergarten? Then check out the following Columbus Day kindergarten crafts.
Christopher Columbus Day Crafts for Kindergartner
Your children might learn in Kindergarten everything about Christopher Columbus if they haven't yet.
Here is a great Voyage in a bottle craft for them to add to their Columbus Day curriculum.
Follow Elementary Shenanigans and see how she teaches about Christopher Columbus and which Columbus Day activities she adds to her curriculum.
Her students are really lucky to have such a great teacher.
Get inspired by her here.
Every good explorer needs a telescope.
Your children and students can learn how to craft their own in the tutorial below.
Follow this 5 weeks explorer history lesson and find out how the explorer Christopher Columbus has lived back in the days.
Let your Kindergartner build a boat with help of wine bottle corks and test if it floats afterward.
Your kids will love this fun water activity for Columbus Day.
And of course, a compass can not be missing on a voyage.
Craft your own compass and teach your children how to use it.
This is such a great life lesson to learn.
Free Columbus Day Printables
Do you like to work with printables? Then check out these Christopher Columbus printables and implement an educational lesson with your crafts for Columbus Day.
Columbus Day Printables
Let's at some printables for our Christopher Columbus activities.
Here is a full pack you can add to your curriculum.
In case your children like to color, go check out these free Columbus Day coloring pages and worksheets here.
If these weren't enough here are some more Columbus Day coloring sheets for you.
If your children are really interested to learn more about Christopher Columbus and how he discovered America.
Go check out this Columbus Unit.
What a cool history art lesson matching Columbus Day.
We will have to try this next.
More Columbus Day Crafts for Kids
If these weren’t enough Columbus Day crafts for you, go check out the following ideas:
- Spyglass Columbus Day Craft
- Milk Carton Spanish Galleon
- Voyage in a Bottle
- Columbus Day Boat Race
- DIY Columbus Day Art with Spices
- Columbus Day Snack
- World Map Craft for Columbus Day
- Origami Paper Hat
- Columbus Day Cupcakes
- Pasta World Map Craft
Why not listen to the Columbus Day song while crafting? Here it is for you:
Pin these Columbus Day Crafts
Don’t forget to save these Christopher Columbus Crafts on Pinterest for later! Be sure you are following along with Lil Tigers.