Columbus Day Worksheets

Columbus Day is October 14, and you can introduce your children to the history of Columbus Day using the free printable in this post. The worksheets in the printable include a map of the journeys that Christopher Columbus went on, coloring pages, a word search, and more!

In this post, we also have fun facts about Christopher Columbus and the history of Columbus Day that you can share with your kids.

Whether you’re looking for a fun history project or a way to complement your social studies, these worksheets about Christopher Columbus are a great resource for homeschoolers.

Let’s start with some interesting information about Christopher Columbus and why he’s an important historical figure.

Fun Facts about Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus Wasn’t His Real Name!
His real name in Italian was Cristoforo Colombo. In Spanish, he was called Cristóbal Colón.

He Wasn’t Trying to Find America
Columbus was actually trying to find a new way to get to Asia. He wanted to find spices, silk, and gold.

He Thought He Found India
When Columbus landed in the Caribbean in 1492, he thought he had reached the islands near India. That’s why he called the people he met “Indians.”

He Made Four Trips to the New World
Columbus didn’t just make one trip. He went back to the New World three more times between 1492 and 1504!

The Ships Had Interesting Names
The three ships Columbus took on his first voyage were the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The Santa Maria was the largest, and it was the one Columbus sailed on.

Columbus Didn’t Know How Big the World Was
He believed the Earth was smaller than it really is, so he thought he could reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean.

He Didn’t Discover the Mainland of North America
Although Columbus is often credited with “discovering” America, he never set foot on the mainland. Instead, he landed on islands in the Caribbean, like the Bahamas and Cuba.

Columbus Day Was First Celebrated in 1792
The first Columbus Day celebration was held in New York City in 1792, to mark the 300th anniversary of his arrival in the Americas.

History of Columbus Day

Here are some more facts about Columbus Day:

A National Holiday Since 1937
Columbus Day became a national holiday in the United States in 1937, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law.

It’s Celebrated in Many Places
While Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., it’s also celebrated in other countries, like Spain, Italy, and parts of Latin America.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day
In recent years, some people have started celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, to honor the native peoples who were living in the Americas long before Columbus arrived.

A Day of Parades and Fun
Columbus Day is often celebrated with parades, especially in cities like New York, where Italian-American communities play a big role in the festivities.

Columbus Day Printable

We hope you have fun introducing your children to the exciting world of bats with our bat study printable. It’s a hands-on way to learn about bat anatomy, life cycles, and fun bat facts! This resource will spark curiosity, inspire research, and help your homeschoolers develop a deeper appreciation for one of nature’s most fascinating creatures.

Crafts and Activities

There are plenty of other great things to learn about in October, and here are some other activities and projects that you might enjoy with your kids throughout the month.