Free Presidents Day Scavenger Hunt Printable

Presidents Day scavenger hunt activities work best when kids can move, look closely, and talk about what they’re finding rather than sit and memorize names.

This printable was designed for exactly that. Instead of worksheets or long readings, children search for illustrated portraits of U.S. presidents, match faces to names, and check them off as they go.

It naturally turns into short conversations about who looks familiar, who they’ve heard of before, and why certain presidents come up again and again in history lessons.

I’ve found this works especially well as a quick social studies activity when attention is limited. It’s easy to set up, flexible across age groups, and can be used quietly indoors or as a more active movement break while still reinforcing name recognition and historical awareness.

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President’s Scavenger Hunt

This scavenger hunt printable works well when you want students learning through movement rather than sitting with a worksheet. Instead of memorizing names, children search for illustrated portraits, match faces to names, and naturally start talking about which presidents they recognize and why.

The set includes 24 illustrated figures, made up of a mix of U.S. presidents and a few well-known Founding Fathers. It isn’t intended to cover every president. Instead, it focuses on recognizable faces that work well for visual learning and discussion across different age groups.

I’ve found this activity is easy to adapt depending on age and ability. Younger children can focus on face-and-name recognition, while older students can use the same materials to support short research, sequencing, and discussion. It’s low-prep, flexible, and works just as well in a classroom as it does at home.

The scavenger hunt includes three printable pages and is free for personal and classroom use. Printing on cardstock helps the pieces hold up better if you plan to reuse them. You’ll find access to the PDF at the bottom of the page.

Below are a few simple ways to use the same scavenger hunt materials with different ages and learning styles.

Presidential hide & seek

Cut out the president images and hide them around the room in easy-to-find spots. Younger children can carry the name list as they search, checking off presidents as they find them.

This works especially well for preschool and early elementary students, helping them connect faces with names while keeping the activity active and engaging.

Presidential match-up

After the hunt, ask students to match each president they found to the correct name. For younger learners, this can stay very simple.

This President’s matching game can also be turned into a small craft or notebook activity by having children glue the presidents onto paper and label them with a name and one short fact.

Presidential fact quest

Older students can use each found image as a starting point for short research. Rather than full reports, ask for one or two interesting facts about each president’s time in office or role in history.

This keeps the focus manageable while still encouraging research, note-taking, and discussion.

Historical timeline challenge

Once all the presidents are found, challenge students to place them in chronological order. This adds a sequencing element and helps reinforce how different presidents fit into U.S. history.

To extend the activity, students can add one major event or achievement to each president on the timeline.

Presidential scavenger hunt relay

For small groups, turn the hunt into a team activity. Groups search for presidents and then visit a “fact station” to record one detail about each person they find.

This version adds collaboration and movement without turning the lesson into a competition-heavy game.

Mystery President challenge

Hide one president at a time and provide clues based on basic facts or accomplishments. Students use the clues to identify which president they’re searching for before locating the image.

This variation works well for upper elementary and middle school students who are ready for more problem-solving and inference.

More President’s Day Worksheets

If you’re planning a full Presidents Day lesson, these activities work well alongside the scavenger hunt as follow-up or early finisher options.

• President’s Day bingo cards – A good next step after the scavenger hunt, helping students reinforce name and face recognition through repeated play.
• President’s Day writing prompts – Useful for older students who are ready to reflect on leadership, responsibility, and decision-making after learning about different presidents.
• President’s Day word scramble – A low-pressure vocabulary activity that works well for independent practice once students are familiar with key terms.
• Donald Trump worksheet – An individual president worksheet that can be used alongside Presidents Day lessons as a follow-up to the scavenger hunt.

Presidents Day Books to Use With the Scavenger Hunt

These picture books work well before or after the scavenger hunt, helping kids put faces to names and understand what presidents actually did.

Who Was Abraham Lincoln? – A brief, illustrated biography that works well as a follow-up when kids want to learn more about a president they recognized.

Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution – A short, engaging read that introduces key figures like Washington and Hamilton in a way that’s easy for kids to follow.

If I Were President – A simple look at the role of the president, which helps younger children make sense of the people they just found during the hunt.

Get Your Free Presidents Day Scavenger Hunt Here!

If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free PDF.

Last Updated on 4 January 2026 by Clare Brown