Great Depression Recipe Activity | Causes of the Great Depression Cut & Paste Project (Grades 5–9)

Bring history to life with this creative, hands-on activity exploring the causes of the Great Depression. Students will learn about the economic, environmental, and social events that led to one of America’s most challenging eras by following a “recipe” for a depressing cake.

Using the included cut-and-paste ingredients, students will sort through key events—such as bank failures, drought, and industrial booms—to decide which belong in the bowl. Some “ingredients” helped trigger the Great Depression, while others did not. By following the recipe, students will create a visual, memorable model of how multiple factors combined to cause an economic crisis.

Perfect for project-based learning in the classroom or at home, this activity is simple yet highly impactful. Students will practice critical thinking and historical cause-and-effect analysis while enjoying a creative format that sticks in their memory.

Best For:

• Ages 9+
• Grades 5–9
• Homeschool or classroom use
• Great Depression units, U.S. History lessons, or economics studies

What’s Included:

• Printable “recipe” instructions
• Event “ingredient” cards to cut and paste
• Mixing bowl activity sheet
• Teacher tips and answer guide

Part of the Stories in History – Modern American History full-year curriculum.