Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government

Civics can feel dry and abstract, especially when you’re trying to explain branches of government to younger kids. Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government turns that content into age-targeted, kid-friendly pages hosted by the Government Publishing Office. Created to help children understand how the federal government works and how citizens participate, the site offers leveled sections, simple articles, and games featuring “Ben,” a cartoon Benjamin Franklin. We love that everything is accurate, non-partisan, and up-to-date, making it a safe starting point for civics units or trip prep before visiting historic sites. It’s best suited to elementary and middle school students who need clear explanations and visual aids more than dense primary documents. The design feels a bit older compared with slick commercial sites and doesn’t track progress, but the information is solid and completely free. Pro tip: pair Ben’s Guide pages with simple government-related notebooking or lapbook activities so kids have something to show for their learning.