Black History Month is celebrated during the month of February! Overall, as a Black creator, I always like to take this time to shine a light on this special month and encourage EVERYONE to take part. Overall, Black History Month is all about acknowledging and celebrating the contributions and impact of Black people and Black culture. For that reason, today, I’ve got some amazing Black History Month ideas for kids! Let’s go!
Of course you’re familiar with Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Of course, you know that Rosa Parks wouldn’t give up her seat on the bus. While these, and other popular Black History facts are incredibly important – there are a LOT more to Black History that we can all learn from. For example, Jesse Owens won FOUR gold medals in track during the 1936 Olympics, but did you know that in one of those races the silver medalist was Matthew Robinson, brother of famed Black baseball player, Jackie Robinson. Did you watch Reading Rainbow as a kid? Of course you did! Surely, we all know and love Levar Burton,. However, did you know that the Reading Rainbow theme song is sung by Chaka Khan!? (i.e., Chaka Khan the musical legend who sings hit songs like “I’m Every Woman” and “I Feel for You”
To put it another way…Black history is your history, no matter what your race. For instance, your refrigerated groceries would probably spoil were it not for Frederick McKinley who invented the refrigerated truck in 1940.
During my younger years, my house was filled with books about Black history and I read a ton about it. While, I do not claim to be an expert by any stretch, I do value the history of my culture and want to share this same value with my kids. Black History Month, is a great reminder to do this. With books, games, activities and more, we can make it fun for kids to engage and learn.
One of my favorite Black History Month ideas for kids is a Black History Month basket for my kids filled with items they’ll love. In my basket, everything is from Target, so it’s easy to find! In addition, I’m listing a TON of books and resources you can order in time to celebrate Black History Month in your home.
Make a Black History Month Box for Kids
Most of the items I used in my Black History Month box is from the Target Bullseye Playground (a.k.a. The Dollar Spot). Since these items aren’t available online, you’ll have to stop into your store for these exact products. Luckily though, I’ve found some similar items you can include:
- For starters you’ll need a cute caddy like this – you may already have something similar in your home!
- Decorate the bucket with stickers!
- Fill with assorted Black History Month items like:
- Coloring Pages – scroll down for tons!
- Crayola Colors of the World Set – this is a must have for every kid
- Books! Include plenty of books – scroll down for lots of fiction, nonfiction and more!
- BHM tees – like this one designed by Sopuruchi Ndubuisi of Fisk University.
Black History Month Books and Activities for Kids
Undeniably, books are one of the simpliest Black History Month ideas for kids. Below I’ve listed books that are great for celebrating and acknowledging Black History Month. Some books are specifically about historical events and people. Additionally, some books feature Black characters or are written by Black authors and illustrators. Lastly, I’ve added some games and activities just for fun! Together with my recommendations, I hope you’ll comment with your own recommendations for books and resources that will help us all bring Black History to life.
Books about Influential Black People & Events
- The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison*
- Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison*
- Look Up with Me: Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Life Among the Stars by Jennifer Berne
- Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly*
- Prince: Little People, Big Dream by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- Stevie Wonder: Little People, Big Dream by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- Jean Michel Basquiat: Little People, Big Dream by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- Lewis Hamilton: Little People, Big Dream by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
- Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed
- The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko *
- Beyond Feburary: Teaching Black History Any Day, Everyday and All Year Long by Dawnavyn James
- The History of Juneteenth by Arlisha Norwood
- My First Heroes: Black History by Silver Dolphin Books
- Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids: 51 Inspiring People from Ancient Africa to Modern-Day U.S.A.*
- Who are…Venus and Serena Williams? by James Buckley, Jr.
- Who is…Barack Obama? by Roberta Edwards
- Who was …Kobe Bryant? by Ellen LaBrecque
- Who was Maya Angelou? by Ellen LaBrecque
- What is Juneteenth? by Kirsti Jewel
- Who was Jesse Owens? by James Buckley, Jr.
- Who is Michael Jordan? by Kirsten Anderson
- Who is Lebron James? by Crystal Hubbard
- Who was Rosa Parks? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
- Who is Aaron Judge? by James Buckley, Jr.
- Who was Muhammad Ali? by James Buckley, Jr.
- Who was Jackie Robinson? by Gail Herman
- Who was Martin Luther King? by Bonnie Bader
- What is the Civil Rights Movement? by Sheri L Smith
- What was the Underground Railroad? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
- Who was Bob Marley? by Katie Ellison
- Who was Aretha Franklin? by Nico Medina
- Who was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
- Who is Neil Degrasse Tyson? by Pam Pollack
- Who was Louis Armstrong? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
- Who was John Lewis? by Crystal Hubbard
- Who is Stevie Wonder? by Jim Gigliotti
- What was the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921? by Caleb Gayle
Black History Month Ideas for Kids: Picture Books
- There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds *
- I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall *
- The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds *
- Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline Ransom
- Wash Day by Tiffany Golden
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats*
- Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
- Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears – A West African Tale by Verna Aardema*
- Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott
- The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez*
- Operation Sisterhood by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
- The Talk by Alicia D. Williams *
- Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe*
- Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills by Renee Watson
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- Bunheads by Misty Copeland
- Firebird by Misty Copeland
- Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman
Books for Older Kiddos
- President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sheri Winston (9-10 years)
- President of the Whole Sixth Grade by Sheri Winston (9-10 years)
- A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Mae Ramee (10-12 years)
- Stuntboy and Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds (7-12 years)*
- Keena Ford and the Second Grade Mix Up by Melissa Thomson (7-8 years)*
- Dear Martin by Nic Cole (14-17 years)
- FlyGirl by Sherri Smith (12-17 years)
Black History Ideas for Kids: Just for Fun!
- Hip Hop Coloring Book – East Coast Edition
- Hip Hop Coloring Book – West Coast Edition
- Beauty and Brains Matching Game for African American Girls
- My Family Builders Wooden Block Set
- Periodic Table of Black Leaders
- Astronomy STEAM Kit (Black & Brown Owned Business)
- Museum Arts STEAM Kit (Black & Brown Owned Business)
- History of Hip Hop Music
- American History Cards: Black Heroes
- Black History Month Crossword Puzzle
- Levar Burton
- Black History Month Worksheets
- Black History Month Playing Cards
- History of Rock ‘n’ Roll Worksheet
- History of Soul Worksheet
- Black History Month Coloring Pages
- Black History Month Printables – Classroom Doodles
- Jackie Robinson
- Rosa Parks
- Sojourner Truth
- Jessie Owens
- Armstrong
- I Have A Dream Coloring page
- Barack Obama
- Nelson Mandela
- George Washington Carver
- Josephine Baker
- Venus Williams
- Billie Holiday
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Diana Ross
- Langston Hughes
- Michelle Obama
- Ruby Bridges
- Famous Black Authors
- Little Rock Nine
- Bessie Coleman
- Famous Black Artists
What a complete list. Thank you for sharing!
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