Black History Month activities for kids

Black History Month is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, and in October in the United Kingdom. It is a time to learn about and celebrate the achievements of Black people in history, science, art, music, sport and everyday life. This guide shares Black History Month activities for kids, from books and biographies to crafts, music and ways to keep learning all year.

Why Black History Month matters for children

Learning about Black history helps all children understand the past, appreciate the contributions of Black people and think about fairness and equality. For Black children, seeing people like them celebrated as inventors, leaders and artists builds pride and confidence. For all children, it opens up a richer, more complete view of history.

How to talk about Black History Month with kids

• Start with achievement and joy. Focus first on inventors, artists, athletes, scientists and leaders and what they created.
• Explain fairness simply. Young children understand fairness. Explain that some people were treated unfairly because of their skin color, and that many brave people worked to change that.
• Keep it age-appropriate. Younger children need simple, positive stories; older children can learn more about history and civil rights.
• Connect to today. Talk about Black people doing amazing things in your community and the world now.
• Answer questions honestly. It is okay to say "That's a great question. Let's find out together."

Black History Month activities for kids

1. Read picture book biographies. Many beautiful picture books tell the stories of Black inventors, artists, athletes and leaders in a child-friendly way. Ask your library for recommendations.
2. Inventor of the day. Each day, learn about one inventor and their invention. Try a simple experiment or draw the invention.
3. Listen to music. Explore jazz, blues, gospel, soul, Motown, reggae and hip hop. Dance, clap the rhythm and talk about how the music makes you feel.
4. Explore art. Look at paintings, quilts and sculptures by Black artists and try their techniques with paint, collage or paper.
5. Make a timeline. Draw a timeline of important people and events, adding a picture for each one.
6. Write about a hero. Choose someone from history or your own community and write or draw what makes them a hero.
7. Poetry. Read poems by Black poets and write your own poem about dreams or hope.
8. Sport heroes. Learn about athletes who broke barriers in sport.
9. Science and space. Learn about Black scientists, mathematicians and astronauts, then try a space activity. See space activities for kids.
10. Community helpers. Invite a family member or community member to talk about their work or experiences.

Black History Month crafts for kids

• Hero poster. Draw a portrait of a hero and add facts around it.
• Dream big banner. Write "I have a dream" or "Dream big" and add children's own dreams for the future, decorated with stars.
• Paper quilt. Each child decorates a paper square with their hopes and dreams, and the squares are joined into a class quilt. Quilts have an important place in African American history and art.
• Collage portraits. Make portraits from magazine pictures and colored paper.
• Unity hands. Trace hands on paper of different skin tones and join them in a circle.
• Heart garland. Color heart pages and write words like kindness, fairness and courage on each heart.

Activities by age

Ages 3 to 5

Read picture books, listen and dance to music, make collage art and talk simply about kindness and fairness. Paint self-portraits and celebrate how everyone is different and special.

Ages 6 to 8

Inventor of the day, hero posters, simple timelines, paper quilts and writing about a hero. Talk about fairness and how people worked to make rules fairer.

Ages 9 to 12

Research projects, biographies, poetry, timelines of the civil rights movement and discussions about fairness today. Older children can present what they learned to the family or class.

Black History Month in the classroom

Teachers can set up a "hero of the day" display, read a biography each morning, hold a class music listening session and invite families to share stories. A class quilt or timeline is a lovely shared project to display in the hallway. Make sure the learning continues after the month ends.

Beyond one month

Black history is part of everyone's history, every day. Include diverse books on your shelves all year, learn about Black inventors when you study science, explore Black artists in art lessons and celebrate role models from many backgrounds. See our diversity and inclusion activities for kids for more ideas.

Learning with worksheets and writing

Writing activities fit well with Black History Month. Children can write a short biography, a thank-you letter to a hero or a poem. Our writing worksheets and reading comprehension worksheets help build these skills.

Celebrating local heroes

History is not only about famous names. Encourage children to find heroes close to home: a neighbor, a teacher, a nurse, a coach, a grandparent or a community leader. Children can interview them about their lives and work, draw their portrait and share what they learned. This shows children that everyday people make history too, and that they can make a difference in their own communities.

Music and art projects

Music and art are joyful ways to learn. Make a family playlist of jazz, gospel, soul and modern songs, and talk about the musicians. Try painting in bold colors and patterns inspired by Black artists, or create a collage that tells a story. Display the finished work at home or school with a short note about the artist who inspired it.

Frequently asked questions

When is Black History Month?

February in the United States and Canada, and October in the United Kingdom.

How do I explain Black History Month to young children?

Explain that it is a time to learn about and celebrate Black people who did amazing things, and that many people worked hard to make the world fairer for everyone.

What are good Black History Month activities for kids?

Reading picture book biographies, an inventor of the day, listening to music, exploring art, making a timeline, writing about a hero and making a class paper quilt.