Bill of Rights for Kids

Bringing History to Life

Bring up the Constitution in a classroom or at the dinner table, and kids may groan or immediately get a blank look on their faces. When the Constitution was written over 200 years ago, the leaders of our country probably didn’t stop to think about how this important document could be explained in simple terms for kids to understand. So, how do you make the Bill of Rights for Kids easy?

Not everyone can travel to Washington D.C. to visit the National Archives, but if this is feasible, then do it with your children or your students. Nothing brings history to life like seeing the real deal, and the Constitution is on display for all to see. If you can't make the trip to Washington, however, there are numerous pictures on the Web that let kids see what the document looks like, and this is a great way to introduce this very important piece of history, especially if you want to discuss the Bill of Rights for kids.

Basics of the Bill of Rights for Kids

Whether you plan on viewing the Bill of Rights in person or surfing the Web with your kids, you need to give them some background information. Tell the story of the Constitution to your kids in everyday language. Talk to them about those men who gathered together in 1787 to brainstorm the contents of the Constitution before it was written. Explain that the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments in the Constitution, and these amendments cannot be violated. Let them know that our laws come from the Constitution. Once you've established the basis and discussed the background of the Constitution, you can break down each amendment.

Whether you are doing this with your own children or with a class, you can help kids retain this information by asking them to create posters, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, or other projects to illustrate what each amendment states.

Amendment I

The first amendment addresses Congress, and basically states that Congress cannot make a law that affects the establishment of religion, restricts a person's right or the press's right to free speech, or restricts the right of people to gather together in a peaceful manner.

Amendment II

The second amendment gives people the right to own guns. (Of course, there are regulations on obtaining firearms, however, but you don't have to get detailed unless you are asked by your kids at this time.)

=Amendment III

Amendment III says that during times of peace soldiers cannot take up residence in someone else's house without that owner's permission.

Amendment IV

Amendment IV states that a person cannot be searched nor can his house or belongings be searched or taken nor can he be given a warrant without a good reason…in other words without there being some reason that these actions should occur, such as suspected illegal practices.

Amendment V

This amendment addresses the prosecution of a person for a suspected crime. Basically, it states that the person must be indicted by a grand jury before he or she can stand trial. This essentially means that a jury of that person's peers reviews the evidence against that person and decides whether there is enough evidence to hold a trial to determine if the person is guilty of the alleged crime. This amendment also states that a person cannot be tried twice for the same trial, nor can he be forced to testify against himself, and he must be given due process of law.

Amendment VI

This amendment addresses the actual trial process. It basically states that a person should be given a speedy and public trial by a jury of his peers in the state and district where he committed the crime. He also should be told of the crime of which he is accused and be allowed to face the witnesses against him. He should also be allowed to gather witnesses in his defense.

Amendment VII

If the controversy is over an issue that is worth more than 20 dollars, the accused has the right to a trial by jury.

Amendment VIII

Amendment VIII states that excessive bail and/or fines shall not be ordered, and cruel and unusual punishments can't be imposed.

Amendment IX

This amendment basically states that the details of the rights outlined in the Constitution can't be interpreted in another way to deny others their rights.

Amendment X

Finally, the tenth amendment states that other laws that aren't governed or prohibited directly by the Constitution may be made by individual states.

For more information, check out the following websites:

• Constitution Center
• Congress for Kids