ClassX Video Lessons Presidential Trivia for Kids: Tallest, Shortest, Oldest, Youngest President for Children -FreeSchool
The United States has had 44 different Presidents, each with their own special stories and records. Let’s take a fun look at some of the most interesting Presidents based on their height, weight, age, how long they served, and their election history.
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President, serving from 1861 to 1865. He was the tallest President ever, standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall! He was famous for wearing a tall hat, which made him look even taller.
James Madison, the 4th President, was the shortest, at just 5 feet 4 inches tall. He was also the lightest President, never weighing more than 100 pounds. He served from 1809 to 1817.
William Howard Taft was the 27th President, serving from 1909 to 1913. He was the heaviest President, weighing 350 pounds! Because of his size, a special big bathtub was put in the White House just for him.
Theodore Roosevelt became President at just 42 years old after President William McKinley was assassinated. He was the 26th President and served from 1901 to 1909.
John F. Kennedy was the youngest President ever elected, taking office at 43 years old. He was the 35th President and served from 1961 until he was assassinated in 1963.
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President and was 73 years old when he was elected for his second term in 1984. He was the oldest President elected at that time. Donald Trump, who became President in 2017 at age 70, might break this record if he gets re-elected.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President and the only one to be elected four times! He served from 1933 until he died in 1945. After him, a rule was made that Presidents can only be elected twice.
William Henry Harrison was the 9th President and served the shortest time—only 31 days. He got sick and died from pneumonia shortly after taking office.
Gerald Ford was the 38th President and never got elected as President or Vice President. He became Vice President in 1973 and then President in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned. He served until 1977 but didn’t win re-election.
George Washington was the first President and was elected unanimously in 1789, meaning everyone voted for him! He is the only President to have ever received 100% of the electoral votes.
The Presidents of the United States have all been unique in their own ways. From the tallest to the shortest, the youngest to the oldest, and those with special terms, each one has added something special to American history. Learning about them helps us understand the past and appreciate the diversity of leadership in the country.
Presidential Heights and You: Measure your height and compare it to Abraham Lincoln and James Madison. Use a tape measure to see how tall 6 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 4 inches are. Stand next to a wall and mark your height with a pencil. How much taller or shorter are you compared to these Presidents? Discuss with your friends or family how height might affect how people see you.
Presidential Weights and Objects: Find objects around your house that weigh about the same as James Madison and William Howard Taft. For example, a large watermelon might weigh around 20 pounds, so how many watermelons would it take to weigh as much as Taft? Try to find objects that add up to 100 pounds for Madison and 350 pounds for Taft. Talk about why different people might weigh different amounts.
Age and Leadership: Think about the ages of the youngest and oldest Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Discuss with your family or classmates what you think are the advantages and challenges of being a young leader versus an older leader. Create a drawing or write a short story about a day in the life of a young or old President, imagining what they might do and how they might feel.
