4 Ways to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. With Your Kids

4 Ways to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. With Your Kids

Martin Luther King Jr. day is upon us, allowing us to teach and instill the values MLK stood for. While many schools and businesses close for the day, knowing what it’s all about is essential. Here are 4 ways you can honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the important civil rights he stood for.

Get Reading

Many age-appropriate books can help you teach your children about race, civil rights, and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. For some, the topics may be difficult to bring up, but they are important. These books will help make it a little easier…

  • “A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.,” by David A. Adler
  • “Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King,” by Jean Marzollo
  • ” Let the Children March,” by Monica Clark-Robinson

You can also read, listen to, or watch the “I Have a Dream” speech in its entirety, answering questions and discussing the parts that mean the most to your children.

MLK Craft Ideas

Many kids learn by creating. For little ones, creating some fun crafts together can help instill the message and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Create a paper chain, writing words or quotes that express the vision held by MLK. Discuss the words as you create, explaining the significance of each to your children.
  • Use paper plates to draw simple peace signs, decorating them however you wish.
  • For a fun handprint craft, you can create a dove, the international symbol for peace
  • You can also trace your child’s hand on different colors of construction paper. Cut them out, and make a wreath uniting all of the colors together.

Chalk the Walk

If the weather allows for it, get outside and create some art on the sidewalk! You can draw pictures and use inspirational quotes and words to express what the legacy of MLK means to you. This is a fun way to spread hope and beauty in your community.

Random Acts of Kindness

At the most fundamental level, MLK’s words inspired kindness and inclusiveness. To honor his legacy, you and your kids can spend the day doing acts of kindness for others. You can pay for someone at the store, help out a neighbor, or simply hold the door a little longer when you are out in public. Being kind to others makes the world a better place, no matter how small the act.

How will you be honoring Martin Luther King, Jr today? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments!