Martin Luther King Jr. was an influential man at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Most businesses and schools have the day off of school to celebrate his life that day. A fun way to learn about this great man is by having your kids do some Martin Luther King Jr. crafts.
We don’t take a lot of holidays off in our homeschool, but we do like to take the time to learn about why that holiday is an important day. Holidays are a great time to talk to our children about why America celebrates this day, and what we can learn from it.
Why does the U.S. celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
Martin Luther King Jr. is an important historical figure to learn about. He was a Baptist minister from Georgia and a civil rights activist who fought hard in his campaigns to end the racial segregation on public transportation.
MLK championed for racial equality in the United States and believed that everyone should be treated fairly no matter what they look like. He believed in a peaceful march and protests for all people.
His famous dream speech which is titled I Have a Dream brought 250,000 demonstrators that peacefully marched to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington in 1963.
He won the Nobel Peace prize in 1964 for civil rights and social justice.
The important day is celebrated on the third Monday of January each year. MLK Day was chosen to be as close to Martin Luther King Jr.’s real birthday on January 15th.
Recommended Resource: American Holidays Unit StudyDo you have a difficult time explaining the history behind America’s Federal Holidays to your students? In this unit study you will learn all about the history and traditions of America’s Federal Holidays. Includes text, questions, written narration, research, quiz, notebooking, and an answer key.  |
Free Martin Luther King Crafts:
These unit studies and fun activities that are available to help you learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. One thing that my young children have really enjoyed doing on themed learning days is crafts.
They are great options for little ones while you are talking about deep and important things with your older students. They look great hanging up in the house, or on a school bulletin board.
We have always enjoyed doing themed and educational learning on different holidays. Crafts are a great way to keep your children engaged while you are reading to them and discussing the day.
Martin Luther King Craft – This special craft uses hand prints and the poem With my Own Two Hands to create some nice art projects to display. with my own two hands
Draw Martin Luther King Simple step-by-step instruction drawing tutorial.
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. – There are lots of free printable activities available when you sign up for her newsletter. There are also some beautiful craft ideas and suggestions to celebrate.
Martin Luther King Day Coloring Page – Cute I Have a Dream themed speech coloring pages.
Fingerprint Peace Dove Craft – This is a beautiful craft that symbolizes the theme of peace and is great to use for this holiday.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Change the World Craft Activity – This craft activity will challenge your children to think about what they can do to bring change to the world.
Handprint Dream Catcher – Make a beautiful dream catcher with construction paper handprint hands of different colors. You can build this while you talk about the famous dream speech.
Martin Luther King Cut Out Craft Activities – Simple printable cut and paste craft activity.
Martin Luther King Freedom Bell Craft – Talk about how MLK wanted freedom to ring around America while you create this cute freedom bell from a Styrofoam cup.
Peace Flowers Handprint Craft – Discuss what peace is while making these peace flowers from handprints made from different colors of paper.
More Martin Luther King Jr. Lessons and Printable Resources:
These activities and resources are good for all ages. They are a great addition to crafts and give you some extra learning resources for the day.
Free 15 Minute Music Lesson for MLK Day – Learn about and listen to several versions of a very special song that was sung during the Civil Rights Movement. This is a 15 minute lesson with a free printable.
MLK Writing Booklet With Picture Dictionary – This writing booklet uses a picture dictionary for younger kids to write about MLK day.
Martin Luther King Jr. Flip Book Freebie – This interactive flip book will help your kids gather their thoughts about why we celebrate this day.
What is Diversity? Egg Cracking Activity – Fun visual activity to teach your kids that though we may all look different on the outside we are still the same on the inside.
Martin Luther King Jr. Printable Banners – Printable writing banners for your kids to practice writing their own mini speeches.
I Have a Dream Printable Activity – Printable sheet for drawing your dream and then writing about the dream and how to implement it.
Cursive Handwriting Worksheets – Copy these famous quotes from MLK as you reflect on his life and his speeches that encouraged everyone.
Unit Study on Martin Luther King Jr. – Great printable unit study with questions on MLK and his life.
Resources for Black History Month
These resources for Black History Month can help you integrate the history into your lessons for the month of February. January is a good time to start gathering up resources for the next month.
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Sarah is a wife, daughter of the King and Mama to 4 children (one who is a homeschool graduate)! She is a an eclectic, Charlotte Mason style homeschooler that has been homeschooling for over 16 years now. She is still trying to find the balance between work and keeping a home and says she can only do it by the Grace of God, and Coffee!
