No-Prep Activities to Celebrate MLK, Jr.
View our Favorite Book list of Black History and Stories to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans:
We’ve compiled simple NO-PREP activities you can do with your children to honor Dr. king’s legacy:
1. Watch and Discuss:
I Have a Dream speach: Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech. Reflect on the powerful imagery, themes of equality and justice, and his vision for a united future. Consider its historical context and significance in the Civil Rights Movement, and explore how its message continues to inspire change today.
2. Watch and Discuss:
Watch a short cartoon video, such as BrainPOP- The Legacy of MLK to introduce young children to Dr. King’s life and achievements. The video explains his fight for equality, his use of nonviolent protests, and his enduring impact on civil rights. After watching, discuss the key takeaways to help children understand his legacy in a simple and engaging way.
3. Watch and Discuss:
Watch Crash Course US history- Civil Rights to learn about key events and milestones of the Civil Rights Movement. The video provides an engaging overview of the struggle for equality, highlighting significant figures, protests, and legislation. Take notes on important details and reflect on how these events shaped American history and society. Discuss or write about what you learned to deepen your understanding.
4. Read and Discuss:
Nicole and Maria love reading to their children as part of their homeschools. Sharing books is a wonderful way to connect children with historical events and inspire meaningful conversations. Discover this curated list of books about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his extraordinary life, and the profound impact he made on the world.
5. Create Your Dream:
Cut out cloud shapes from construction paper and write your dreams for the future on each one. Use markers, crayons, or pens to express your goals and aspirations creatively. Once completed, hang the clouds around your house as a daily reminder of your dreams and what you’re working toward. This activity can inspire hope and positivity for everyone in your home. (example below):
I have a Dream Clouds
6. Letter From Birmingham Jail:
Read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter From Birmingham Jail to understand his powerful response to criticism of the Civil Rights Movement. Discuss the key themes, including justice, nonviolence, and the urgency of equality. Reflect on how Dr. King’s words continue to resonate today and their significance in the fight for civil rights. Consider having your kids journaling about this.
7. Coloring:
Download free Martin Luther King Jr. inspiring coloring pages. These pages feature quotes and themes honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Use them as a creative activity to spark conversations about his life, values, and contributions to equality and justice. Display the finished artwork to celebrate his inspiring message: https://www.doodle-art-alley.com/martin-luther-king-coloring-pages.html
8. Day of Service:
Participate in the National MLK Day of Service by taking your children into the community to volunteer for a worthy cause. Choose activities like helping at a local food bank, cleaning up a park, or assisting at a shelter. Use this opportunity to teach the importance of service, compassion, and making a positive impact, just as Dr. King advocated. Reflect together afterward on the experience and how small acts of kindness can create lasting change.
9. Embracing Differences:
Make a quick and simple point about embracing the ways in which humans are different and yet the same by cracking open a brown egg and a white egg to illustrate they’re basically identical on the inside. There’s a lot more complexity to this concept, of course, but it’s an easy way to introduce it to young learners (preK-3rd).
10. Footprints of Inspiration:
Trace your child’s feet on a piece of paper, then encourage them to write or draw inside the outline small steps they can take to make the world a better place. It’s a creative way to teach them about kindness, responsibility, and the power of their actions—one step at a time!
11. Dream Poem:
Write the word DREAM vertically on a piece of paper: Each letter will begin a new line of the poem.
Think about Dr. King’s legacy of hope, equality, and love: Reflect on his vision and the values he stood for.
Write a line for each letter: Each line should begin with the corresponding letter and connect to the themes of hope, dreams, or making the world a better place.
Here’s an example to inspire you:
D–are to believe in a brighter tomorrow,
R–ise above hate, let love heal the sorrow.
E–mpower the weak, stand tall, take a stand,
A–ll united, we’ll heal this great land.
M–arch on with hope, just as Dr. King dreamed.
Share and discuss the poem with your children: Use this activity to talk about how they can contribute to building a more loving and equal world.
Encourage creativity: Let them add drawings or designs to personalize their poem.
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12.Newspaper Article:
Write a newspaper article about the March on Washington as if you were there. Start with a compelling headline and a lead paragraph summarizing the key details: what, where, when, and why. Describe the atmosphere, crowd size, and emotions to set the scene. Highlight key moments, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and include quotes from speakers and participants. Explain the march’s purpose and its importance to the Civil Rights Movement. Conclude with its impact and significance for the future. (example below):
13. Gandhi vs. Dr. King:
Create a paper or comparison chart that explores the similarities and differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Focus on key aspects such as their philosophies, leadership styles, approaches to nonviolence, major achievements, and lasting legacies. Include specific examples of their contributions to social justice and how their work has influenced movements for equality and freedom.
14. Quotes:
Free quotes from Dr. King. Print and discuss each one and what they mean. Put them up around your house: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/martin-luther-king-quotes
15. Timeline:
Create a detailed timeline of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Include key events such as his birth, education, major milestones in the Civil Rights Movement, significant speeches and accomplishments, and his lasting impact on the world. Ensure the timeline captures both personal and historical highlights to tell the full story of his extraordinary life. Example Below:
Timeline of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life
- 1986: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is established as a U.S. federal holiday in his honor.
- January 15, 1929: Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia.
- 1944: At age 15, King begins college at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
- June 1948: King graduates from Morehouse College with a degree in Sociology.
- June 18, 1953: King marries Coretta Scott in Marion, Alabama.
- 1955: King earns his Ph.D. in Theology from Boston University.
- December 5, 1955: King becomes the leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott following Rosa Parks’ arrest.
- December 20, 1956: The Supreme Court rules segregation on public buses unconstitutional, ending the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
- 1957: King becomes the first president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
- August 28, 1963: King delivers his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
- October 14, 1964: King receives the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in advancing civil rights through nonviolent methods.
- April 4, 1968: King is assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 39.
16. Museum:
Plan a visit to a museum featuring exhibits on civil rights or Martin Luther King Jr. Explore displays that highlight the history, struggles, and achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as Dr. King’s pivotal role. Take time to reflect on the artifacts, stories, and messages shared in the exhibits, and consider how they connect to present-day issues. Document your experience by taking notes or photos and share what you learned.
