Originally known as Washington's Birthday, Presidents Day has come to celebrate the legacies of all the American presidents, though George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are the most popular honorees. While many adults now view this holiday as a much-needed long weekend vacation from the daily grind and an event filled with car dealership and furniture retailer discounts, it can also be a great opportunity to celebrate American history with your children.

If you're interested in planning a Presidents Day party for your little ones and their friends, a blend of educational activities, arts and crafts and gifts for kids will make this event a success! You'll also give yourself a fun project to escape the potential humdrum of a long weekend with nothing to do. Here are some party planning ideas to get you started.

Arts and Crafts
One of the best ways to engage kids with history is through fun arts and crafts activities. Run out to the local craft or art supply store and pick up some wooden tongue depressors, cotton balls, construction paper, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, glitter and crayons so that you and your little ones will have a variety of materials to work with. Kaboose.com suggests some creative and presidential art projects like having the little ones design a paper American flag, an Old Glory flag pennant, Abraham Lincoln's stovepipe hat or a pin that displays the child's face as a "Future President." All of these items will make for unique keepsakes that your children's friends can take home with them.

American Pie
No party is complete without fantastic snacks and appetizers, and your children's Presidents Day party should be no different. Once the arts and crafts are complete, shift your attention toward cooking up some truly American dishes that are both easy for kids to help make and enjoy. Of course, apple pie makes for a simple and delicious treat that kids can't resist. In the spirit of George Washington's cherry tree story, you may also want to bake a cherry pie. For more traditional fare, hot dogs and burgers are about as quintessentially American as it gets.

Story Time
There are plenty of kid-appropriate picture and storybooks that can help you relate classic stories of the American presidents and the nation's history to your little ones in fun and interesting ways. After the crafts have been completed, you can sit down for a quick story session while you all eagerly wait for the pies to finish baking.