Looking for fun activities in history class that don’t involve a lecture and a worksheet? Say hello to your new favorite tool: project cubes! These hands-on, interactive activities are perfect for helping students engage with historical content in a creative and meaningful way.
In this post, I’ll show you how to use project cubes to bring your social studies lessons to life. Whether you’re teaching about Black History Month, Revolutionary War heroes, Women in History, or the Civil Rights Movement, these cubes make learning feel like a project your students want to do.
🎯 What Are Project Cubes?
Project cubes are 3D learning tools that students assemble and fill with researched information, illustrations, and reflections. Each of the six sides focuses on a different aspect of a person, event, or topic from history.
They’re one of my favorite fun activities for history class because:
- They’re hands-on and creative
- They allow for differentiation
- They’re perfect for research, review, or enrichment
- They double as displays, presentations, or assessments
Fun Activities for Black History Month
Instead of doing a traditional report, let students celebrate Black History Month with a project cube. Each student can choose a different influential figure and complete a cube highlighting:
- Accomplishments
- Early life
- Famous quotes
- Timeline
- Their impact on history
- Personal reflection
➡️ Teaching Tip: Line up finished cubes on a shelf or windowsill for a class-made “Black History Hall of Fame.”
⭐ Revolutionary War Heroes Come to Life
History class doesn’t have to be dry. Make your Revolutionary War unit more interactive by assigning a cube for each major figure. Students can focus on:
- Their role in the war
- Key battles or events
- Challenges they faced
- Quotes or writings
- Legacy today
- Bonus fun fact or sketch
➡️ Fun Twist: Host a “living museum” day where students present their cubes in character. Costumes optional but encouraged!
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💪 Women in History: Hands-On Learning
If you’re covering Women’s History Month, project cubes are one of the most fun activities for history class—especially for upper elementary. Students love showcasing the achievements of women like Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart, and Rosa Parks.
Each cube might include:
- Background and upbringing
- Major accomplishments
- Historical significance
- Quotes or mottos
- Struggles and barriers
- A student reflection
✊🏽 Civil Rights Movement with Meaning
Your 15 Minutes of History: Civil Rights Movement lessons pair perfectly with this cube project. It’s a great way to review and reflect on important events and people.
Students can create a cube about:
- A key leader (MLK Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, etc.)
- An event (Montgomery Bus Boycott, March on Washington)
- A landmark law or court case
- Their personal response to what they’ve learned
➡️ Setup Tip: Create a classroom museum where students display and explain their cubes to small groups.
🖍️ Teacher Tips for Success for Fun activities in history
- Print on cardstock for durability
- Model how to fold and glue one side at a time
- Pre-cut for younger students or short class periods
- Encourage color and creativity
- Assign sides based on skill level or interest
Project cubes are the kind of fun history activity that your students will remember long after the lesson ends.
🛒 Want to Try It?
All of the cube templates I mentioned are available in my store—and they’re made to pair with my 15 Minutes of History lessons.
👉 Check out my full collection of project cubes here to bring more fun activities to your history class this year!
