Activities for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

King Day is typically a time of service and reflection on what each of us can do to help make our communities better places, as well as discussions of racial equity and how our nation still falls short of King’s dream.

This year the day looks different since many of us aren’t venturing outside the home or school to do service projects, but that doesn’t mean it’s a day like any other.

We should definitely be talking with our kids about King’s legacy, especially, for kids who are old enough, in the context of the past year’s protests calling for justice. Listening to and reading King’s speeches is also great.

This activity from Scholastic is an easy way for kids of all ages to express their own dreams.

Kids in early elementary will enjoy this printable coloring book from Real Life at Home (she also has a book for older kids).

Or check out the collection of picture books, activities and videos that Becky from Kid World Citizen compiled for All Done Monkey.

I’d love to hear what you are doing to mark the occasion with your kiddos.

[Photo: Real Life at Home.]

Check out some of our favorite educational reading books about Martin Luther King

If You Were a Kid During the Civil Rights Movement

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Real Stories – The March On Washington

10 True Tales: Young Civil Rights Heroes

And if you are looking for more printable lesson plans then check these out on Etsy

Last month I shared a collection of beach crafts that used items from the beach like seashells and sand. This month’s collection is all about beach animals and things you might see at the beach that don’t require beachy materials to make. In fact you’ve probably got what you need to make most of these beach crafts in your house already.

How about paper plates? With a paper plate you can make this cute watercolor seashell from The Educator’s Spin on It, or an adorable seagull like this one from Glued to My Crafts.

Add some white beans and you can make paper plate sand dollars like Crafts by Amanda. Or use a paper plate as a frame for a sweet beach scene like this crab and turtle one from Artsy Craftsy Mom, which includes a downloadable template and instructions to make it super easy.

Or grab a paper plate and some bubble wrap to make a jellyfish like this one from Happy Toddler Playtime. If you have paper bowls instead of plates, you can also make a jellyfish from one of those, like Natural Beach Living did.

Use your stash of craft sticks and googly eyes to make crabs, fish, sharks and more with this craft idea from The Keeper of the Cheerios.

I love this little crab made with a cardboard tube from Hunny I’m Home. With this same idea I’ll bet you could make lots of different creatures.

Grab some construction paper to make the loopy tentacles on this watercolor jellyfish from Craftsy Hacks. Or make a stained glass jellyfish like this one from Life Anchored.

Make easy puffy paint to make these fun fluffy starfish from I Heart Crafty Things, or use cupcake liners to make cute little crabs (also from I Heart Crafty Things).

Turn an old pool noodle into some super cute fish with this tutorial from Happy Toddler Playtime.

And if you’ve got some leftover yarn lying around, make pompoms and turn them into turtles like these from Craftsy Hacks. (And check out my post on different ways to make pompoms if you need a refresher!)

Have you read?

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