Invite students to get involved in the election process by playing "Our Next President." During an election year, base the candidates on the current slate from all parties. On off years, choose likely candidates or ask students to choose individuals they would like to see lead the country. Have students draw a card out of a hat listing a state. The student represents the number of electoral votes awarded to that state. As per U.S. law, the candidate with the most electoral votes wins the election. Invite the students to compare popular vote with electoral vote and see how the outcome might differ. Do not limit votes to just the major parties, that way all candidates can compete. This game works for children in the fourth grade and higher.
To play "Balance the Budget," divide the class into three groups. Appoint one group to the Senate budgetary committee, the second to the House budgetary committee and the third group consists of lobbyists and special interest groups. Provide the Senate and House groups with categories for budget items and a copy of the amount of money allotted to these items by previous administrations. Allow the House and Senate groups to prepare separate budgets and the lobbyists and special interest groups to push for pet projects and influence budgeted amounts. During the second part of the game, challenge the three groups to work together to create a final budget. The game is suitable for junior high and high school students.
Have students consider how they might create a government system if they were part of a colony settling a new planet. Challenge them to look at foundational documents such as “The Constitution,” “The Bill of Rights” and “The Declaration of Independence” to gain ideas about what works best in the U.S. government, and what doesn’t work. Ask the students to behave as founding parents of the government and create an effective system. The game is suitable for junior high and high school students.
The U.S. has many symbols that represent the government. Place symbols on large cards and ask the students to identify the symbol. Alternatively, provide information about the symbol and ask the student to choose the symbol from various displayed options. Symbols for the game include various versions of the U.S. flag, the Statue of Liberty, the White House, The Constitution, the Presidential Seal and Uncle Sam. The game is suitable for students in the third grade and higher.