Lots of schools are out for Election Day, so it’s the perfect opportunity to show your kids why voting is important. And what could be more fun than celebrating with your friends?

That’s why NC MomsRising has partnered with Kids Voting NC to encourage families to celebrate Election Day with a voting party for your kids. To make it easy, we’ve created a Voting Party kit complete with invitations, crafts and activities, and story ideas. You can download the party kit at www.momsrising.org/northcarolina. While it was created for NC, the kit works no matter where you live and provides some fun, easy ways to make Election Day memorable for your family.

Kids in North Carolina can even cast their own vote through Kids Voting NC at http://www.kidsvotingnc.org/ Not from North Carolina? Look for Kids Voting opportunities in your state!

As moms we know that, like with so many things in life, kids will do what they see their parents do. According to Kids Voting NC, research shows that the biggest determinant of whether you grow up to be an educated voter is not race or economic level or education. It’s whether or not your parents did it and showed that it was important.

A Voting Party gives you a fun way to introduce and encourage voting with your kids. It’s also a great opportunity to invite your friends to go vote. If you haven’t already voted, the perfect end of the party would be to head over to your polling location with your kids so they can see you cast your ballot.

And it’s not just important for the kids; it’s critical that moms vote this year.

Parents and families are facing big challenges, and it’s essential that our voices are heard in electing those who will make decisions impacting our lives. Moms are voting not just for ourselves, but for our families, our children, and the future we want for them. No matter how busy life gets, our children are counting on us to be their voices in this election.

So, get your Election Day party kit here (www.momsrising.org/northcarolina) and join other families as we celebrate voting with our kids.

If you throw a party, we’d love it if you’d send us a note or a photo to Beth@momsrising.org.

And please make a plan to vote on Tuesday, November 6. Your voice is important!

Beth Messersmith is NC Campaign Director for MomsRising.org and a Durham mother of two. This blog was originally posted on WRAL’s Go Ask Mom.