40 Meaningful Martin Luther King Activities for Kids

Martin Luther King activities are an easy way to help kids understand the ideas behind MLK Day in a calm, age-appropriate way.

Simple tasks like coloring pages, quick vocabulary work, and short reading passages give children a gentle entry point into conversations about fairness, courage, and kindness.

The activities here keep things practical and manageable. They work well for morning work, a short classroom lesson, or a meaningful moment at home, without adding extra prep to your day.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Activities

These simple activities make it easier for kids to understand the ideas behind Martin Luther King Jr. Day without feeling overwhelmed. They’re quick to set up, work well across early grades, and help children connect big themes like fairness, kindness, and courage to everyday moments.

1. Show children two eggs, one white and one brown, and crack them open to show that they look the same inside. Use this as a gentle way to talk about fairness, kindness, and why Dr. King believed in judging people by their character.
2. Invite kids to create their own “dream poster” by drawing or collaging a vision of a better world. This ties naturally into the themes of the “I Have a Dream” speech and helps them reflect on what matters to them.
3. Create a simple timeline of Dr. King’s life using short facts or key events. This gives students a clear visual of his work and why his leadership mattered.
4. Have children design posters for a peaceful protest on issues that feel important to them – kindness, fairness, friendship, or inclusion. It’s a simple way to introduce peaceful activism.
5. Choose a short excerpt from the “I Have a Dream” speech and have students practice reading it aloud. Even a single sentence helps them feel connected to his message.
6. Plan a small act of service, writing kind notes, helping in the classroom, or supporting a local community need. It keeps the spirit of MLK Day approachable for younger learners.
7. Hold a short discussion about respect and how we treat others. Simple, concrete examples work best: sharing, including someone new, or noticing when someone needs help.
8. Create a collaborative handprint mural to represent unity. Each child adds one handprint and one small word about kindness or fairness.
9. Get kids moving with simple MLK yoga poses or mindfulness prompts that reinforce calm, kindness, and peaceful action.

Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheets

These printables work well for quick January lessons and give kids an easy way to learn about Dr. King through coloring, vocabulary, and simple reading activities.

10. Martin Luther King Jr. facts page – A kid-friendly facts sheet with a small coloring section that introduces key moments from Dr. King’s life.
11. Martin Luther King Jr. color by number – Simple coloring pages that help younger students connect to MLK Day in an accessible way.
12. Martin Luther King Jr word search – A vocabulary-focused search that reinforces important terms tied to Dr. King’s work and legacy.

13. Martin Luther King word scramble – A short, low-prep way to practice MLK-related vocabulary while building spelling skills.
14. Martin Luther King Jr. crossword – A slightly more challenging vocabulary activity with clues about Dr. King’s speeches, actions, and impact.
15. MLK vocabulary page – A printable word list that helps younger learners understand essential terms connected to the civil rights movement.
16. Martin Luther King, Jr Game – A simple matching game that introduces MLK facts in a hands-on way.
17. Puzzles for 1st and 2nd grade – Easy printable puzzles designed to reinforce early understanding of Dr. King’s mission.
18. MLK shape book – A short writing and drawing booklet where students can reflect on what equality and kindness mean to them.
19. MLK “words within a word” worksheet – A fun vocabulary-building page that challenges kids to make new words from “Martin Luther King.”

20. MLK research unit (older students) – A deeper printable set with a timeline, reading passages, vocabulary, and short-answer questions.
21. MLK writing prompt – A reflective writing page that encourages kids to think about Dr. King’s message in their own words.
22. Civil Rights Walk activity – A guided printable that helps students understand the idea of peaceful protest through a simple classroom walk.
23. Dove garland craft – Coffee-filter doves that tie into themes of peace and kindness (keep only if you want light crafts mixed in).

Best Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Children

I’ve read a lot of MLK books over the years, and these are the ones that consistently feel right for younger learners. They’re clear, gentle, and age-appropriate, and they open the door to good conversations without overwhelming kids.

24. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. A straightforward introduction for ages 6–9. It explains Dr. King’s work in a way kids can follow, and the simple narrative makes bigger ideas feel manageable.
25. National Geographic Readers: Martin Luther King, Jr. This one works well for visual learners. The photos paired with short text help kids connect faces, places, and events with the ideas you’re teaching.
26. The Great Book of Black Heroes. Not only about MLK, but he’s highlighted alongside other important Black figures. It’s a helpful way to place his story in a broader context for elementary readers.
27. I am Martin Luther King, Jr. A warm, accessible picture book that shows Dr. King as both a leader and a regular person. It’s a good option for younger readers who need gentle storytelling.
28. Martin’s Big Words. This is always a favorite. The text uses some of Dr. King’s own words, and the artwork gives the story a calm, thoughtful tone that sticks with kids.
29. I Have a Dream. This beautifully illustrated version includes the full speech and an audio track. Hearing Dr. King’s voice often has a deeper impact than reading the words alone.
30. My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr. A simple, friendly introduction for preschoolers. It keeps to the basics but still gives little ones a sense of who he was and why he is remembered.
31. Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? Part of the well-known series, this book gives a more detailed look at his life without being too heavy. Great for confident elementary readers.
32. Martin Luther King Jr.. A very simple biography for early readers. It covers the essential ideas clearly and keeps the language accessible.
33. Martin’s Dream. A quieter, reflective book that focuses on the heart of Dr. King’s message. There’s also a printable activity that pairs well with the story if you want to extend the lesson.

If you’re planning ahead for February, I also have a simple list of Black History Month activities that pair well with the books and printables on this page.

Martin Luther King Jr. Videos for Kids

Short films and kid-friendly clips can be a simple way to give children more context around Dr. King’s life. These are the ones I’ve found most useful for quick lessons or calm afternoon viewing.

34. Selma Lord Selma. A thoughtful Disney movie based on a young girl’s experience in Selma. It’s gentle enough for upper elementary and gives kids a sense of what the civil rights movement felt like for real families.
35. Martin Luther King Jr Biography on YouTube. A short overview that works well when you need a simple introduction to who Dr. King was and why he’s remembered.
36. I have a Dream Speech on YouTube. Letting kids hear Dr. King’s actual voice often lands more deeply than reading the speech. Even watching a short clip can spark good conversation.
37. The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. on YouTube. A slightly longer option that covers his childhood, his work, and the major events you’re likely already teaching.
38. Our Friend Martin Elementary Video on YouTube. A fun, accessible animated story where two friends time-travel to meet Dr. King. It’s an easy way to introduce younger kids to big ideas without overwhelming them.
39. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President on YouTube. Kid President keeps things light and friendly, which makes this a good pick for early elementary.
40. The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on YouTube. If you use BrainPOP, their MLK video does a great job connecting Dr. King’s work to current conversations about fairness and respect.

If you use any of these ideas in your classroom or at home, I’d love to hear what worked well for your kids. Feel free to share in the comments.

Last Updated on 17 November 2025 by Clare Brown