Getting Ready
For the colonists, the events of Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States of America didn't happen in some far away place. Things happened right in their backyards (sometimes literally!).

Activity
Here's a game that can help you keep track of where some key events occurred. Using the map here, make a game board of the original thirteen colonies. Imagine that you are a colonist and create game pieces you can move around the board. What kinds of things might a colonist have used as a game piece (a button, a thimble, a small piece of leather, an acorn)? You can also play the game life-sized by making a large game board on the floor. Mark thirteen different spots in the room with the names of colonies or project the map onto butcher paper.

Play the game: Have one person read the question and keep time. The player first says the answer out loud and then either runs to or moves their piece to the place that answers the question. If they get a question wrong, they may keep trying until they get it right. Each player should be asked five questions. The player who can answer all five correctly in the least amount of time is the winner.

Here are some questions to get you started. Remember that the answer is always one of the colonies. You can also make up your own questions:

1. Where was the first shot of the Revolutionary War fired?
2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
3. Where did Shays Rebellion take place?
4. Where was Mount Vernon, George Washington's home?
5. Which was the smallest colony?



6. Where did the First Continental Congress meet?
7. In which colony did Benjamin Franklin publish his newspaper?
8. Which colony was John Adams from?
9. Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill fought?
10. Where did the British surrender?



11. Where did the Second Continental Congress meet?
12. Where did Paul Revere make his famous ride?
13. Which colony was Valley Forge in?
14. Which colony was the Battle of Yorktown fought in?
15. Which colony was Thomas Jefferson from?



16. Where was Fort Ticonderoga?
17. Which colony outlawed slavery?
18. Where was the Battle of Trenton fought?
19. Which colony did the Boston Tea Party take place in?
20. West Point, the site of the nation's first military academy, was in which colony?

Click here for answers

Think More About It
Many key events took place in or around big cities, like Philadelphia and Boston. Why were cities important?

Words to know: colony, history