
Celebrating MLK Day with Kids
Martin Luther King Jr. Day provides a great opportunity to talk to kids about the civil rights movement and the ongoing fight for racial equality.
MLK Day is also a national day of service, which encourages people to make a difference in their communities through volunteering.
No matter the age of your child, there are many ways you can honor King’s memory and spark important conversations about racial justice and healing.
At the museum, we know that talking to young children about inequality and racism can be difficult. We want to support parents and caregivers as our community works toward a just future where everyone is treated with kindness, dignity and respect.
Below, we’ve compiled some suggestions for celebrating MLK Day and introducing young learners to King’s legacy.
Listen to or read stories about King
There are lots of books available about the life of King and his fight for racial equality and human rights. Many local libraries will create displays or recommendation lists to help you sort through them all. If a visual story is more your style, watch one of these picture book read throughs instead.
Find a local volunteer opportunity
Honor King’s legacy by volunteering to make a difference in your community.
- Host a food drive or gather donations for a local food pantry or shelter.
- Gather and donate winter jackets and gear. Many schools, churches and nonprofits accept donations and will work to get them to those in need.
- Use Americorp’s volunteer database search tool to find other volunteer opportunities in your community.
Reflect on King’s legacy with questions
After talking or reading about King, it’s helpful to pause and let kids reflect on what they’ve learned by asking them questions. Below are some conversation starters.
Ages 6 and under
- Who was Martin Luther King Jr.? What made him so important?
- What does equality mean? How can you treat people equally?
Ages 7 and above
- If King were alive today, what do you think he would be most proud to see? What do you think he would be most disappointed by?
- Can you think of an example of a time or way that people have not been treated equally?
- When someone is treated differently because of the color of their skin, this is called racial prejudice. Why is prejudice wrong?
National Day of Racial Healing
Continue the learning and reflection with the National Day of Racial Healing, which is observed each year on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the beautifully illustrated children’s book, “Our Differences Make Us Stronger,” a heartfelt story that celebrates diversity, friendship and what we can learn from each other.
Making a difference
The process of making a difference and advocating for racial equality starts small. Teaching kids about the history of the civil rights movement is a great first step. We hope these resources help to support your family make meaningful change toward a just future where everyone is treated with kindness, dignity and respect.