Free Printable Black History Bookmarks to Color
These Black History Month bookmarks are a simple way to add something meaningful to February reading time without adding extra prep.
The printable set includes six black-and-white bookmarks kids can color, each featuring an influential African American figure with a short fact to support discussion.
They work well for independent reading, literacy centers, or as a quiet activity alongside Black History Month books in classrooms, homeschool, or libraries.
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Black History Month Bookmarks to Color
These bookmarks are designed to be flexible enough for different classroom routines, including independent reading time, literacy centers, or calm transitions.
Each bookmark is designed in black and white so kids can color them while learning about influential African American figures.
Rather than being just a coloring activity, the bookmarks include a short identifying fact for each person, making them easy to use as a starting point for discussion or paired reading. They’re appropriate for classroom, homeschool, and library use.
These printables are for personal and classroom use only. Scroll to the bottom of the post to access the PDF.
The bookmarks feature:
- Mae Jemison, the first African American woman astronaut in space
- Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States
- Alexa Canady, the first African American woman neurosurgeon in the U.S.
- Scott Joplin, composer and pianist known as the “King of Ragtime”
- Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader
- Marie M. Daly, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry
How to Use
This printable set includes six different bookmark designs, with three bookmarks per page for easy printing and sharing.
They can be printed on regular paper or cardstock, and laminated if you’d like them to last longer. Each bookmark measures 2.5 × 8.5 inches, which fits well in most books.
Have students color the bookmarks during independent work or as a calm transition activity. The simple illustrations and star details support fine motor practice while keeping the focus on reading and discussion rather than crafting.
As children work, use the bookmarks to talk about the individuals featured. Brief conversations about who they were and why they’re remembered can naturally fit into reading time, social studies lessons, or Black History Month activities.
Once finished, the bookmarks can be used with classroom books, take-home reading, or library checkouts, helping connect reading with historical learning in a low-pressure way.
More Black History Month Activities
If you’re looking to extend learning beyond the bookmarks, these related printables work well as short follow-ups or center activities. They’re easy to mix into February lessons without turning the unit into a full project.
For younger students, the Black History writing prompts for kindergarten offer simple sentence starters that support early writing while introducing important people and ideas.
The Black History Month word scramble is a low-prep option for reinforcing key vocabulary and works well for early finishers or small groups.
If you want something more visual, the 13-page Black History Month coloring set features influential leaders with names and short quotes, making it a good fit for classrooms or homeschool settings.
Used alongside the bookmarks, these activities help reinforce learning through reading, writing, and discussion without adding extra prep. You may also like the Black History word search for another quiet, independent option.
Favorite Black History Month books for Kids
These books pair especially well with the bookmarks and work well for elementary-age readers during February reading time or read-alouds.
Black Heroes of the American Revolution introduces children to lesser-known African Americans who played important roles during the Revolutionary War. This book is a great way to expand Black History Month beyond the 20th century and helps students see how African American history connects to early U.S. history.
Mae Among the Stars tells the story of Mae Jemison’s path to becoming the first African American woman in space. The illustrations and simple storytelling make it a strong choice for younger elementary students, and it naturally connects to conversations about perseverance and following big goals.
The Story of Barack Obama introduces children to Barack Obama’s life from childhood through his presidency in a clear, age-appropriate way. It works well for independent reading or short discussions about leadership, civic responsibility, and making change over time.
Who Was Martin Luther King Jr? gives students a straightforward overview of Dr. King’s life and role in the Civil Rights Movement. The chapter format makes it a good fit for upper elementary readers, book reports, or paired reading alongside history lessons.
Get Your Free Bookmarks to Color for Black History Month Here!
Ready to grab your free printable? Just pop your name and email into the form below, and it’s all yours!
Tip: Use a personal email address (like Gmail), school or work emails sometimes filter printable links.
If you don’t see the form below, click here to get the free PDF.
Last Updated on 19 December 2025 by Clare Brown
Please send bookmarks
Hi Jan,
To get the free Black History Month bookmarks, just enter your email address in the blue box above that says “Get the free Black History Month bookmarks here!” and they’ll be sent straight to you. Let me know if you have any trouble!
Clare