30 Martin Luther King Activities for Kids
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is honored each year on the third Monday of January. This is a great time to look into his amazing accomplishments and see how much he has changed the lives of so many. I have put together over 30 Martin Luther King activities for kids that we will use in our homeschool to study Martin Luther King Jr. Both in January and for the entire month of February for Black History Month.
Don’t worry you don’t need to homeschool to make use of these Martin Luther King activities for kids. These also work in the classroom.
I have broken these resources down into:
- Martin Luther King worksheets – free and paid for activities
- The best books about Martin Luther King Jr.
- Movies about Martin Luther King Jr.
- Famous quotes from the great Martin Luther King Jr.
But before we continue with these activities, let’s take a quick look at his life.
Who Was Martin Luther King Jr?
Martin Luther King, Jr. (born Michael King, Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American pastor, humanitarian, activist, and leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
He was best known for improving civil rights by using nonviolent civil disobedience, based on his Christian beliefs. He is known by a number of different names as he had both a Ph.D. and was a pastor.
Martin Luther King Jr. is sometimes called the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. (abbreviation: the Rev. Dr. King), or just Dr. King. He is also known by his initials MLK.
King also helped to organize the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech ( a link to the speech is below). The next year, he won the Nobel Peace Prize.
King fought for equal rights from the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 until he was murdered by James Earl Ray in April 1968.
Martin Luther King Jr Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January.
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I have listed over 30 of the best Martin Luter King activities for kids that you will all enjoy.
Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheets
These are the best MLK worksheets I have found, there is a mix of paid for and FREE resources, and are suitable for kids of all ages. I have added the FREE printables in the section below.
Martin Luther King Jr. Vocabulary
Martin Luther King, Jr Game – This MLK resource is a fun concentration/memory/matching card game. Students will love playing!
Unit Study on Martin Luther King Jr is an interactive, internet-based unit study.
Martin Luther King Jr. Puzzles for 1st and 2nd Grades
Martin Luther King Jr Shape Book – This MLK book will give students the space to self-publish any writing about this famous American. Use in January for Martin Luther King Day, or this would also be perfect to use for Black History Month.
For older students, this Martin Luther King Jr. Research Unit has been designed to be used around the MLK holiday in January or during Black History Month in February. The unit includes:
- The Early Years
- Terms to Know
- Timeline of important events
- Large excerpt of “I Have a Dream” speech
- Research questions
Martin Luther and the Reformation Lapbook and Music
Free Martin Luther King worksheets
I always love finding free worksheets and these are perfect to either use as well as the paid ones above or instead of.
Martin Luther King Jr word search
Martin Luther King Writing Prompt. Free printable
Children’s Civil Rights Walk Class Activity. This is an amazing resource especially if there are a few of you, perfect for homeschool co-ops or bigger families. It will show the kids what it was like going on a protest.
If your children enjoy word searches then this Martin Luther King Jr word search will be a great activity to do on MLK day.
MLK Free 8 Page Activity pack for elementary and middle school-aged children.
Martin Luther King Jr Worksheets, Activities, Printables, and Lesson Plans free worksheets for kids of all ages.
Martin Luther King Handprint Craft is slightly messy, but lots of fun!
Dove Garland – Made out of coffee filters, a super cool crafty activity.
For even more writing fun, check out our Martin Luther King finding words within words worksheet.
Martin Luther King Jr Kids Books
There are so many kid’s books about the Great Martin Luther King Jr. but I have listed below the best ones we have either read or have in our Amazon cart!
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers. A story for children aged 6 – 9 about standing up for civil rights.
National Geographic Readers: Martin Luther King, Jr. Introduces the life and legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Great Book of Black Heroes: 30 Fearless and Inspirational Black Men and Women that Changed History. This book shares the stories of 30 of the greatest black heroes and heroines over the span of more than 2,500 years.
I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World). This bestselling picture book biography is perfect for kids ages 5 – 8.
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This picture book biography brings his life and his amazing message to children through his own words.
I Have a Dream (Book & CD) – Included in this picture book is an audio CD of his famous speech.
My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr. Learn all about Martin Luther King Jr. Day with this biography all about the civil rights leader, perfect for preschoolers.
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? We have a number of the Who Was books and this story of one of the most influential civil rights activists of our time is as good as the others in the series.
Martin Luther King Jr. (Little People, BIG DREAMS, 33) is a great book for younger children.
Martins Dream – there is a free printable worksheet that you can use with this book from the Wise Owl Factory
Martin Luther King Movies for Kids
Again much like the books, there are plenty of amazing kids’ movies that either include the story of Martin Luther King Jr. or at least talk of his accomplishments. I have listed the best 8 we have found.
Selma Lord Selma – Disney presents a truly inspiring movie. In 1965, during the early days of the right-to-vote movement. A young Alabama school girl is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to resist the degradation that her fellow African-Americans are suffering.
Martin Luther King Jr Biography – Youtube
I have a Dream Speech – Youtube
The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – MLK Day! – Youtube
Our Friend Martin Elementary Video – Youtube
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President – Youtube
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | BrainPOP – Youtube (check out our Brainpop review)
Other Movies Perfect for Black History Month
Watsons Go to Birmingham is the film based on the bestselling book, The Watsons Go To Birmingham. The movie shows the normal day-to-day life of an African American family in Michigan. And how it all changed when they visited family in Alabama in 1963.
Ruby Bridges. Another Disney movie is about the struggles of a young girl in the 1960s and how she changed history. Smart six-year-old Ruby is chosen to be the first African-American student to integrate into her local New Orleans elementary school. There she is subjected to the true ugliness of racism for the very first time. Helped and guided by the love of her mom and dad, Ruby’s heroic struggle for a better education becomes a lesson for us all.
Martin Luther King Jr Quotes For Kids
These are our favorite quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. out of at least 100 I could find!
Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.
Martin Luther King Jr.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Quotes on Love
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.
Martin Luther King Jr.
There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love.
Martin Luther King Jr.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
Martin Luther King Jr.
He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Quotes on Education
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education
Martin Luther King Jr.
Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.
Martin Luther King Jr.
If you are looking for even more history resources please see our homeschool history curriculum post.
Please let me know in the comments below how you will study Martin Luther King Jr. For Kids.
Last Updated on 1 June 2023 by homeschoolof1