Free Benjamin Franklin Coloring Page & Timeline Worksheet

When we studied the Founding Fathers in our homeschool, I wanted an activity that felt hands-on instead of just reading dates from a book.

This free Benjamin Franklin coloring page became a great way for my son to learn while staying creative.

He could color Franklin and his inventions, then use the timeline cards to match important events in order. It turned into both an art project and a history lesson, which made the details stick much better.

Hand-colored Benjamin Franklin coloring page printables showing Franklin, his inventions, bifocals, kite experiment, printing press, Franklin stove, and timeline cards.

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Table of Contents

Benjamin Franklin Timeline Activity

This Benjamin Franklin coloring sheet isn’t just about coloring, it also works as a simple history timeline kids can build themselves.

My son enjoyed coloring each invention and event, then lining them up in order to see Franklin’s life unfold.

How to Use

Print the four full-page worksheets, I find cardstock works best, but regular paper is fine too.

Cut out the pictures and timeline cards. I like using a paper cutter, though scissors work too.

A paper trimmer is shown in use with educational Benjamin Franklin-themed printables, including a card that reads “Franklin’s kite experiment of 1752” alongside a drawing of a kite and lightning, and another card that says “The lightning rod is added to buildings in 1753” with a sketch of a struck building. The setup is part of a hands-on history lesson.

Let the children color the nine images, which include:

Franklin stove
Bifocals
Benjamin Franklin
Kite and key in a storm
Lightning rod on a building
Printing press
The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle
Franklin’s birthplace

A set of hand-colored Benjamin Franklin-themed educational cards for kids, including a cartoon Franklin, his iconic bifocals, the Franklin stove, a printing press, and a lightning experiment. Other cards feature a colonial-style house, a kite with a key, a magazine titled “The General Magazine and Historical Chronicle – January 1741,” and a bold “Ben Franklin” sign in red and blue.

Once the pictures are colored, hand over the matching timeline cards. Kids can color those too before lining everything up.

A set of cut out Benjamin Franklin timeline cards featuring his birth, death and everything in between.

Events to Match

1706 – Franklin is born in Boston, Massachusetts.
1729 – Purchases the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Ben Franklin coloring pages and timeline of when he was born, January 17th, 1706, and where he was born, Milk Street, Boston, MA.

1741 – Publishes the General Magazine.

Benjamin Franklin cards with a colored pciture of him publishing a newspaper with the words on a matching sheet Franklin purchased the first Pennyslyvania Gazette in 1729 and then a piture of the General Magazine

1742 – Invents the Franklin stove.
1752 – Famous kite experiment.

Ben Franklin matching words with pictures, the words he invented the stove in 1742 and a colored in image of the metal-lined fireplace. Below is a colored in picture of a kite next to the words Franklin's kite experiment of 1752.

1753 – The lightning rod is introduced to buildings.
1784 – Invents bifocals.
1790 – Franklin dies at age 84.

This timeline turns history into a hands-on activity, making it easier for young learners to connect dates with real inventions and events.

Images of a tall building, bifocals, and a picture of Benjamin Franklin, next to the matching words "the lightening rod is added to buildings in 1753, Franklin invented the bifocals in 1784, and Franklin died on April 17th, 1790 aged 84.

More Franklin and Inventor Activities

If your kids enjoyed this Benjamin Franklin coloring page, you may also like:

Benjamin Franklin worksheets – a deeper look at Franklin’s life with a research project, two extra coloring pages, and a poster.
African American inventors coloring pages – discover 10 groundbreaking inventors.
Inventors and Inventions worksheets – fun, hands-on activities to explore big discoveries.

Learn About 10 Famous Inventors

Get the Inventors Pack

Benjamin Franklin Books for Kids

If you’d like to pair this Ben Franklin coloring page with more reading, here are a few books we’ve truly enjoyed at home:

Ben Franklin’s In My Bathroom! — My son laughed the whole way through. It’s silly and fun, yet still packed with facts. Perfect for upper elementary.
The Story of Benjamin Franklin — A gentle, straightforward introduction for younger kids who are just starting to learn about Franklin.
Who Was Ben Franklin? — From the reliable Who Was series. Easy to follow, engaging, and great for independent readers.
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin — We especially liked how this book shows Franklin’s inventions and connects them to modern life.

Boy reading Ben Franklin's in my bathroom book

For more history reading, you may also enjoy our lists of President books for kids and Invention books for kids.

Want to explore even more early American history?
Check out our Founding Fathers coloring sheets, which include Benjamin Franklin along with Jefferson, Washington, and others. They’re a fun way for kids to see how these leaders shaped the nation.

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Last Updated on 29 September 2025 by Clare Brown