Painless Learning Presidents Placemat Black 23 x 19 x 10 inches

Great addition to our collection of placemats. Building conversation and games while enjoying dinner helps build family values, keep kids entertained and of electronics. We also have slates for all of North America. It’s great!

The placemat is cheap, smaller than a poster (i.e. portable), and laminated. It has the names of the presidents (with middle initials, not full middle names), the years they served, their birth and death years (if they have died), their political party, the names of their vice presidents, and in some cases the number of months they served (such as William Henry Harrison who served only one month). If the president died in office, was assassinated, or resigned that information is also included. The placemat also includes the oath of office and the requirements for being president of the U.S. In addition, it lists Grover Cleveland twice with two different pictures (he served two nonconsecutive terms). On the back of the placemat there is a "game": the pictures are mixed up and you can fill in the information with a dry erase marker. I bought this placemat along with a similar poster. The poster had slightly nicer pictures, but was missing President Obama (he is on the placemat, so apparently it has been updated). The poster also included only the dates they served as president. This placemat is an excellent value and learning tool. My husband and I have enjoyed looking at all the information and have become interested in researching the different presidents about whom we know so little. The only improvement I can think of is to include their middle names. If they would fit on here, then birth and death places would be nice, but then this would become a booklet . . .

I bought several educational placemats about 8 years ago when my kids were little. The youngest is now 11, and we pull these out for crafts occasionally. Whenever I do pull these out, the presidents one is the last to be put away. The kids (ranging from 11 to 24) all enjoy looking at the pictures, biographical information, and the basic stats. Granted, info given is limited, but I find it fascinating how many times our dinner conversations have been started by THIS placemat in particular. Who was the shortest president? (Guesses based on placemat, then google for the answer.). Who was the oldest? Who was the fattest? Why did Roosevelt stay prez so long? Why did so many did in office? It’s a great placemat, and since ours stopped with 44, I suppose I should get the updated placemat. As for durability, ours help up so well. I’m not sure if they use the same materials now. Will update as needed.

This placemat has the Presidents with their painting/photo, party, dates of birth, death and term, and Vice Presidents listed. The presidential oath of office and the qualifications for the President from the Constitution are included as well. On the other side are their pictures only, to provide a guessing game. I like this, but it isn't exactly what I was expecting. Growing up we had a similar placemat, but it also listed a few facts about the Presidents (at least First Lady, and I can't remember what else). This placemat does not have anything other than the basic information. It is still a good placemat and an interesting way to quiz at the lunch table. I don't know how durable these are as I just received them, but if they are as durable as they were when I was a child they should last quite a while before the seal on the laminate breaks down.

Excellent quality! Very sturdy, clear, and great size, especially for the price.

Quality: Excellent quick reference of presidents and their terms.

Learning history is part of why we are where we are today. Also, cool to learn our country's leaders of today and yesterday.

Rather than whining about dinner taking too long (seriously, I am not making gourmet meals here, but food takes time to get ready!!!), my kids are looking at their placemats entertained AND learning something new! My 5 year old daughter loves looking at the presidents. You might think it's too advanced for a 5 year old, but it's not. She notes their names "Hey mom, there are two George Bushes!", she noticed that there were NO women who were presidents (she's determined she will make the presidential placemat one day), and she noticed a lot of presidents had longer hair! This placemat is really sturdy, easy to clean and nice pictures that are appealing to kids. I bought a bunch of these placemats and each meal my kids get to pick out which one they want. I also like that these are super easy to keep clean and the shifting of plates, bowls, silverware, cups is not scratching my table! Why didn't I buy these sooner!?!?!