February is Black History Month!
Since the 1970’s, the United States has set aside the month of February to celebrate, reflect and learn about the incredible contributions that Black Americans have made throughout history.
Celebrating Black History Month with kids also means learning about and uplifting the tremendous amount of Black excellence in our present-day communities.
Whether you’re looking for books, games, activities or other ideas for celebrating Black History Month with kids, we have some great ideas and recommendations for you and your family to celebrate this month.
Celebrating Black History Month with Kids: Books
- I Am Enough, by Grace Byers
- Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, by Ellen Levine
- Follow the Drinking Gourd, by Jeanette Winter
- The Watson’s Go to Birmingham – 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis
- Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, by Vashti Harrison
- We March, by Shane W. Evans
- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, by Maya Angelou
- The Undefeated, by Kwame Alexander
- The ABC’s of Black History, by Rio Cortez
- The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne, by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Celebrating Black History Month with Kids: Activities
- Have a poetry recital and recite poems from Black poets.
- Create a Black History Month playlist or check out one on Spotify.
- Move your body and create rhythms and sounds by trying Stepping, a style of dance that evolved in the black community.
- Tour an online exhibit to learn about Black History, Racism and Protest.
- Try cooking one of these soulful recipes with your family
- Discuss implicit bias, systemic racism, and social injustice with your kids. Start by asking what they might already know about the topic and then learn together.
Celebrating Black History Month with Kids: Resources
- National Education Association: Black History Month Lessons
- Smithsonian: Black History Learning Lab Collection
- Reading Rockets: Celebrating and Learning About Black History
- GPB: Teaching Black History
- Education.Com: Black History Month Activities and Worksheets