Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is three days away. In today’s world, it is essential for children to learn about the importance of the civil rights movement and the individuals who fought for equality. On January 20th, the nation will commemorate the life, work, and lasting influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To help your children gain a deeper understanding of Dr. King’s legacy of equality and peace, here are a few family activities that you can do together.

Activities for the young kids in the family

Create an I Have a Dream Wall or Mobile

First, review or watch Dr. King’s famous speech with your young ones. Talk about he speech on their level, and then get out the art supplies and have them create their own dream wall. You can use the prompts: “My dream for myself, my school, my community and my world.” In the end, you will all get a glimpse at what your little one is dreaming for the future.

Volunteer as a family

MLK Day is not just a federal holiday, it is also designated as a National Day of Service. Find somewhere to volunteer together as a family and give back a day of your time helping someone in need.

Make an MLK mini-book

Have your little ones create a mini-book telling the story of MLK in their own way. They will have to do some research on the Civil Rights leader to make their version of his story 100 percent correct.

Watch videos and movies about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Pop some popcorn, sit in front of the TV, and watch videos and movies about the slain leader. This will be a great way to have a family movie night over the weekend.

Activities for the older kids in the family

Take a virtual field trip to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis

Although kids of any age can take a virtual field trip, the older ones may get more out of it. The Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee was built right around the Lorraine Motel, the site where Dr. King was assassinated. This could be an unquestionable experience to have on MLK day right in your own home. 

Attend an event in your area

Many cities, if not all, host a MLK Day parade or event. If weather permits, attend the event in your area. This is a great way to get involved in supporting your community while at the same time honoring Dr. King.

Have a trivia night

Everyone in the family can gather some fascinating facts about Dr. King. Once the facts have been compiled, have a trivia night and see who knows the most about Dr. King. Don’t forget to make some snacks because trivia night without snacks is definitely a no-go!

Deliver your own speech

Dr. King was an outstanding orator. He delivered many amazing speeches throughout his life. You can have your older kids write their own speeches in the style and tone of Dr. King and deliver it to the family.

Whether you celebrate the entire weekend or just on Monday, make sure to make it a memorable experience for not only your children, but for yourself as well. The legacy and mission of Dr. King still rings true today and it is up to subsequent generations, present and future, to take up the work of Dr. King because we have a lot more work to do ahead of if we are going to make our world a better place for all.

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