Life in the 13 Colonies Videos for 5th Grade

When teaching U.S. History, we spend a lot of time focused on the history of the 13 Colonies. But do your students ever wonder what life was really like for people living in the Colonial Era? Below, I will outline 7 life in the colonies videos for 5th grade that will give your students a deeper look into what life might have been like for some of these colonists.

1. Exploring Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

• Description: Allen Smith takes a tour of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. As he explores this town, he discovers what daily life was like for a member of the middle class. Going back in time, he talks to colonial actors about cooking, meals, farming, gardening, and daily work.
• Time: 14:35 min.
• Notes: I love that Allen takes the time to compare different aspects of what life was like in the 1700s to how we live today. There are also a few little trivia moments in there that are pretty funny!

2. Life as a Child in the 18th Century

• Description: “Junior interpreters” explain what life was like for children living in the 18th century. They cover education, jobs, living conditions, games, and entertainment. 
• Time: 5:32 min.
• Notes: Although this is a slightly older video, I love the perspectives that are shared. It is so fun for students to see and hear what life was like for kids during colonial times – especially when it is told from the perspective of other kids!

3. What Was Life Like in the Colonial Time Period?

• Description: From Teen Kids News, Troy visits the historic Philipsburg Manor – a New York farm from the 1700s. As he tours the farm, he learns all about the hard work it took to live without our modern-day tools and technology.
• Time: 4:46 min.
• Notes: Again, I love that this video is told from the perspective of a fellow middle school student! It also shows how some of the colonial machinery works, which is really cool to see.

4. Virtual Field Trip: Colonial House Tour

• Description: In this video, students will take a virtual tour of the Mabee Farm – built in Colonial New York. The tour guide discusses Colonial home structures, work, food, trade, and more.
• Time: 17 min.
• Notes: The video is a little shaky throughout. It really is as if you were taking your class on a field trip to this historic site! But, despite the lower video quality, the tour guides give some really great insight into what life was like for these colonists.

5. Life in Colonial America

• Description: This short and sweet video from Discovery Education explains the class system of colonial America.
• Time: 3 min.
• Notes: The narrator talks kind of quickly, so I recommend turning on closed captioning.

Free 13 Colonies Timeline Activity

I hope these life in the 13 Colonies videos for 5th grade help your students gain a greater understanding of what life might have been like in Colonial America. With so many different customs, cultures, and lifestyles, these videos only scratch the surface! 

As your students explore the various lifestyles of colonists, add further insight with this free 13 Colonies Timeline Activity.

In this activity, students will learn who founded each of the original colonies, when the colony was founded, and why the colony was settled.

Students will get up and out of their seats as they search for task cards around the room. With each task card, students will discover important historical facts about each colony and place the colonies in order of settlement on a timeline. 

I have also included a reflection sheet for early finishers!

Download your FREE 13 Colonies Timeline Lesson

More 13 Colonies Resources

Looking for additional resources to help you teach about the 13 Colonies?

• 3-Week 13 Colonies Unit: This all-inclusive unit provides interactive lesson plans that will keep your students engaged and help them learn the information in a meaningful way. 
• 13 Colonies Primary Sources: An outline of 5 primary sources, complete with teaching suggestions. I have also created a compilation of primary sources for several other US History topics as well!
• 13 Colonies Picture Books: 5 worthwhile picture books to help bring the Colonial Era to life in your classroom.
• 13 Colonies Videos: An overview of 5 (additional) videos teaching all about the history of the 13 Colonies – complete with corresponding student worksheets! 

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