How to Talk to Kids About Voting and Elections
Photo by Sean Locke / Stocksy
Reviewed by KinderCare's Education and Government Relations Teams
Updated October 2026
Voting is one of the primary ways we participate in our democracy, but it can be hard to know how to talk to kids about voting, especially when elections become contentious. Election Day is a great opportunity to help your kids understand how our country works. Wondering how to get started?
Kids can begin learning about voting through simple group decisions, seeing how ballots work, talking about family values, and learning how to disagree respectfully.
Try these 7 tips for kicking off the voting conversation with your littlest citizens:
1. Explain How Voting Works with a Family Vote
Young children can learn about voting by making choices and participating in group decisions. To bring the concept home, go grassroots! Try having a family vote about something that really impacts your child’s day. For example, vote on what to make for Sunday dinner or what game everyone wants to play, or what book to read. For older children, try introducing the concept of nominating a meal or game before the vote and have them make a speech to advocate for their favorite choice!
2. Discuss Your Family’s Values
You absolutely can talk to your kids about how you’re voting and why. Talk about the policies that are important to you in this election—after all, the world our kids grow up in is significantly shaped by elections, from water quality to economic opportunities and everything in between.
3. Teach Kids How to Disagree Respectfully
Young children are developing skills for understanding different perspectives, expressing opinions, and navigating disagreements. Election season offers opportunities to practice these skills in everyday situations. This is a great time to teach kids that it is okay to disagree with people—and that we can all practice listening to other ideas with respect.
Use concrete examples that your child can understand to bring the message home. Use this example: “Imagine your class has extra space to use in the classroom. Some kids want it to become a quiet reading area because they like having somewhere calm to look at books. Other kids want it to be a building and art area because they like creating things together. You might strongly prefer one idea, but you can still listen to why someone prefers the other one. Explain your own reasons and treat each other with respect.”
Remind your child that even when we are disappointed in the outcome of group decisions, we still live with each other and need to find ways to cooperate with one another as much as possible. Let them know that sometimes when people have different opinions, it can lead to arguments. Everyone experiences strong emotions, including adults. It's good to apologize when we lose our cool. Talk about how to manage big feelings by taking time to calm down in a quiet space or with a deep breath.
4. Help Kids Feel Safe When Election News Is Worrying
If election news makes your child worried, start by asking what they’ve heard and how it makes them feel. Listen to their questions and feelings, offer simple, honest explanations, and provide reassurance through connection and familiar routines. Help them find a small way to act on something they care about. A child concerned about people not having enough food might help choose items for a food drive. If they are worried about the environment, join a family-friendly group to plant trees or clean up litter. You can also help them write a letter to your state representatives, sharing their concerns as well as the changes they want to see in their state and country. This sets the foundation for them to become a civically engaged adult.
5. Let Kids Practice Voting with a Mock Election
Whether you vote by mail or in person, show your children the ballot, (most states have sample ballots on their official sites or on Ballotpedia), then help them create their own. They could vote for their favorite book, stuffed animal, or board game. Keep it fun! You can even set up a little voting booth and make them an “I Voted” sticker or button/badge to hand out after they've cast their vote! When you show kids that voting matters, they will be more likely to become active voters as adults.
6. Turn Election Results into a Simple Math Activity
Illustrate the election results by designating a jar or cup for each “candidate” or “issue” and then representing each vote with a crayon, button, or other household object. Use words like ‘more’ and ‘fewer’ with younger children. Older children may want to help you count or write numbers on cards to label the jar for each candidate.
7. Encourage Kids to Notice Election Messages
Bumper stickers, yard signs, mailers, and dinner-time campaign calls are all clear signs that an election is around the corner. Point out these concrete examples of election season and encourage your child to notice them as well. This is a great opportunity to practice media literacy by asking your young child questions like, "What pictures or words do you see?" and "What do you think this sign is telling us?" For older children, you can ask more challenging questions like, “Who made this message? What are they asking people to think or do? What are they not saying that could be important?”
Helping kids understand voting doesn’t have to mean explaining every issue or having all the answers. By giving them simple ways to ask questions, engage in group decision-making, and respectfully share their thoughts, you can help build the skills they’ll use as thoughtful, engaged citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Kids About Voting
How do you explain voting to a preschooler?
Keep it simple and concrete: Voting is a way for a group of people to make decisions together by letting each person choose what they prefer. You can help preschoolers understand the idea by holding a family vote and counting the results together.
What is a simple way to teach kids how voting works?
Try holding a mock election at home about something that matters to your child, like choosing a family activity or deciding which book to read together. Give everyone a vote, count the votes together, and explain that the option with the most votes is the one the group chooses.
How do you talk to kids about political disagreements?
Start by asking what your child has heard and what they think before sharing your own perspective. The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends listening to children’s thoughts and questions, offering age-appropriate information, and modeling respectful discussion. Encourage your child to listen, ask questions, explain their own thinking, and treat others respectfully, even when they disagree.
What should you do if election news worries your child?
Ask your child what they heard and why it’s worrying them. Then you can respond to the specific concern rather than guessing what’s on their mind. The APA recommends listening to children’s concerns, providing age-appropriate information and reassurance, and reminding them that they can come to a trusted adult when something they hear or see feels upsetting.
