Hide & Seek in the Oval Office and More Cute Photos of Presidents' Kids Playing at the White House

While their days were occupied with issues of national importance, past presidents made time to have meaningful moments with family

By Diane J. Cho
January 12, 2021 09:00 AM

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Oval Office Exploration

Credit: Getty

A young and curious John F. Kennedy Jr. explores his father's desk as the 35th president gets some work done.

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Bike Rides with Mom

Credit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

First Lady Nancy Reagan, wife of President Ronald Reagan, rides a tandem bike with her son Ron. Jr. on the South Grounds in May 1981.

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White House Birthdays

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President Lyndon B. Johnson holds a cake as his daughter Luci Baines blows out her birthday candles on her 17th birthday in July 1964.

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Play Breaks in the Oval

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President John F. Kennedy claps while his son John Jr. and daughter Caroline play in the Oval Office in October 1962.

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Talks with Dad

Credit: Katherine Young/Getty Images

President Jimmy Carter sits daughter Amy on his lap as they have a chat in the Oval Office in 1978.

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Spending Time Outdoors

Credit: Bill Pierce/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty

President Gerald Ford and his daughter Susan play with their Golden Retriever, named Liberty, on the White House lawn in October 1974.

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Holidays at the White House

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President George H.W. Bush reads a Christmas story to his grandchildren on Christmas Eve in 1991.

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Kitty in Command

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President Bill Clinton works at his desk while First Daughter Chelsea Clinton plays with First Pet Socks the Cat in December 1994. 

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Introducing Bo Obama

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President Barack Obama and his daughters Malia and Sasha spend time playing with their Portuguese water dog Bo ahead of the pup's official introduction to the White House press corps in April 2009.

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Oval Office Hide & Seek

Credit: Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images

President Barak Obama's daughter Sasha hides behind the couch in the Oval Office before playfully sneaking up on her dad in August 2009.

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Christmas with the Kennedys

Credit: John F. Kennedy Library/Courtesy of Getty Images

President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline gather with their young family, including Caroline, John Jr., Anthony Radziwill, Prince Stanislaus Radziwill, Lee Radziwill and Ann Christine Radziwill, and a few of their pets on Christmas Day, 1962.

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By Diane J. Cho