April 17 – Benjamin Franklin Facts for Kids
April 17 marks an important historical event; on this day in 1790, one of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, passed away. Known for his contributions as a statesman, author, and inventor, Franklin’s legacy continues to influence the United States and beyond. This day provides a great opportunity to explore the life and achievements of Benjamin Franklin. Learn more about him with these Benjamin Franklin Facts for Kids below and activity ideas. You can check out all of the Fact of the Day for Kids here.
10 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FACTS FOR KIDS
- Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
- He is famous for his experiments with electricity, including the well-known kite experiment during a thunderstorm.
- Franklin was also a successful printer and writer; he published the “Pennsylvania Gazette” and wrote “Poor Richard’s Almanack.”
- He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, improving daily life with his innovations.
- Franklin helped establish the first public library in America and the University of Pennsylvania.
- Benjamin Franklin founded America’s first volunteer fire company in 1736, which helped pave the way for modern firefighting practices.
- Apart from his many inventions, Franklin also developed the concept of Daylight Saving Time to make better use of daylight and save energy.
- Franklin was not only a scientist and politician; he also loved music and invented a musical instrument called the glass armonica.
- He was the first Postmaster General of the United States, setting up many of the practices used in today’s mail delivery.
- Franklin was a big advocate for education for all, believing that learning should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.
ACTIVITY IDEAS TO CELEBRATE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Celebrating Benjamin Franklin can be both educational and fun. Here are some activities to engage students in learning about his contributions:
- Complete the Benjamin Franklin Word Search puzzle.
- Create simple electricity experiments to understand Franklin’s electrical discoveries.
- Design and print a mini-newspaper or almanac using Franklin’s writings as inspiration.
- Craft your own pair of “bifocal” glasses using clear and colored plastic.
- Build a simple model of a Franklin stove to understand its efficiency.
- Write a short play about a day in the life of Benjamin Franklin.
Think Outside the Box
QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT FOR APRIL 17
As we remember Benjamin Franklin on this day, here are some thoughtful questions to consider:
- Why do you think Benjamin Franklin’s experiments with electricity are still remembered today?
- How did Franklin’s inventions and discoveries contribute to the development of modern technology?
- What qualities did Franklin have that made him a good leader and diplomat?
- Why is it important to have public libraries and universities in our communities?
- How can we apply Franklin’s principles of hard work and innovation in today’s world?
WOULD YOU RATHER QUESTIONS ABOUT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Here are five questions to spark conversation. Would you rather…
- Have dinner with Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Jefferson to discuss politics?
- Conduct the kite experiment with Franklin or invent something new with him?
- Work as Franklin’s printing apprentice or his scientific research assistant?
- Write for “Poor Richard’s Almanack” or publish your own book in Franklin’s print shop?
- Have Franklin’s skills in diplomacy or his scientific mind?
MORE FUN STUFF
Here are more fun ideas to help keep the kids entertained:
