Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr Day with Your Children

Martin Luther King Jr Day is celebrated each January on the third Monday of the month. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments. His dreams and good works are never forgotten. But, how do you make this man and his accomplishments alive and fresh for your children? Many children see Martin Luther King Jr Day as just a day off of school to goof off and play around. They don't realize or understand how important this man was to our country.

Dr. King was one of the most influential leaders in the American civil rights movement in the 1960s. His message of racial equality was not always well received. But, he preached to his followers to embrace nonviolence and to use peaceful demonstration to make positive change happen. His most famous speech repeated the line, "I have a dream!" Most children are taught these basic facts in school and could probably recite them. However, they don't understand and feel the power of what Dr. King stood for. Here are some ways to make this holiday more than just a day off of school for your children. These crafts are things that can be done every year and not get old.

"I Have A Dream"

Read Dr. King's famous speech to your children. Then, ask them what their dreams are. Have them write or draw their dreams on paper and post them on the wall for everyone to see. Discuss how hard it can be to achieve some dreams and talk about how hard Dr. King and all of his followers fought to achieve his dream. Then ask your children to think of ways that they can achieve their dreams.

Peace and Joy

Cut peace doves out of paper and write words such as peace and joy on each one. Tape the doves to your walls or tie them to your ceiling to fly for the day. Discuss with your children what "peace" means and why it was important to Dr. King.

Color Party

Decorate your home with all different colors. Make paper chains using papers that match the colors of all of our skins. Discuss with your children the symbolism of the colors and that they are linked together just like we are all linked together. Serve up dishes from all over the world and celebrate diversity and difference in our country. Discuss with your children why we celebrate and embrace each others differences.

Service as a Virtue

Dr. King's message also had a lot to do with service to our people and our country. Talk to your child about service and about helping other people. Choose this day to go and clean up your local park or stop by a local food bank to or soup kitchen to help out. Take your children to visit a nursing home or take lunch to an elderly neighbor.

Walk the Walk

Get together with a group of friends or relatives, neighbors or just people you meet in the park. Walk. Talk about Dr. King and his freedom marches. Discuss with your children how hard it must have been to walk on in the face of violence and oppression.

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr Day this year, make sure that it includes your children. It is only through the eyes and hands of our children that true changes can occur in our world. Without understanding and compassion, our children will be left floundering. Celebrate Dr. King's life and talk about the future of our country this year with all of your children.