Presidents’ Day: Don’t Eat the Chief

Holidays, Kid Ideas, Printables    ·   

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Presidents’ Day has simply meant a day off of school for my kids in years past.  Sure they learn about why we celebrate it in their classrooms, but I’ve never really acknowledged it at home.  This year I decided it was time to do something (albeit simple) to celebrate.  I created “Don’t Eat the Chief!”

Don't Eat the Chief

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This game is based off of “Don’t Eat Pete,” a game I learned at a friend’s house when I was little.  I know several people play it for family night.  When I told Josh about it, he thought I was nuts (he had never heard of Don’t Eat Pete).  Which just made me want to have our kids play it more! 
I created several printable cards that have all the Presidents of the United States with their names on them.  There are two presidents that are repeated to make the cards even. 
My hope is that they will get more familiar with the presidents of our country.  This could be taken several steps further with studying each one individually.  For now, let the games begin!

Don't Eat the Chief printable game

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Object of the game: Eat as many small candies (cereal pieces/whatever you want to use) as you can, but don’t eat the Chief!

Directions:  Place one small candy (or cereal or whatever you want to use) on each of the nine squares.  Select a person to be the “candy monster” and send him/her out of the room.  The remaining players then select one square to be “the Chief”.   When the “monster” returns, he eats the small candies one at a time but as soon as s/he touches “the Chief” the group yells “Don’t Eat the Chief!” His/her turn is over and another person is selected to be the candy monster.  Play continues until all have had a turn.

Here’s a super short video of two of my kids playing. They played for an hour. I consider that a success! Warning- I scream at the end. ooops…

 These printables are for 30days subscribers and
for personal use only. They are offered as is. Thanks!

Don't Eat the Chief, sheet 1Don't Eat the Chief, sheet 2
Don't Eat the Chief, sheet 3Don't Eat the Chief, sheet 4
Don't Eat the Chief, sheet 5
Download a Don’t Eat the Chief game card:
Don’t Eat the Chief Sheet 1
Don’t Eat the Chief Sheet 2
Don’t Eat the Chief Sheet 3
Don’t Eat the Chief Sheet 4
Don’t Eat the Chief Sheet 5

What do you do to celebrate Presidents day?

I’m linking this up to:
I’m Lovin’ It from Tidy Mom
Weekend Wrap Up
Wednesday Wowsers

Comments

  2. Thanks so much for this fun game. Having difficulty printing it, even though I subscribed. help :)

  3. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble.
    You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  4. When I print them off it just rolls out a blank piece of paper….help, what am I doing wrong?

  6. I’m such a history geek… this makes me so happy! :) In fact, Friday night my family is having a “lincoln dinner.” I will be printing these out to play there!! Thanks for sharing Mique! XO

  7. Love it! Anything turned into a game is a perfect way to teach. There our certain subjects that are harder to sell. Presidents tends to be one of them. A+

  9. I’ve never heard of this, but I love the idea to learn different things and have a little snack. =0)

  10. You could also play guess who…my kids love that game and play for hours and they are 10 and 12. If you print all the Presidents on one card then you would need two of them. Each child could take a card and cover all the faces with candy or cereal. Asking yes or no questions, like “Is your person bald”, they can eliminate different ones and eat the candy off of the ones they are sure are not it. Once they narrow it down they can make a guess. If they are right they win and take the other player remaining candy, if they guess wrong they lose and forfeit whatever candy or cereal they have remaining. As they become more informed about the presidents their questions can become more informed as well, such as “Was this President married?” or “Did this president serve two terms?”

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