MLK Day Activities for Kids + Preschool | Writing Prompts, Worksheets, More.

MLK Day can be fun, serious, educational, and thoughtful. Here are activities and projects for kids to make the day memorable, including “I Have a Dream” speech activities.

Two young girls holding hands with a quote from martin luther king jr. 's “i have a dream” speech about unity among black and white children.
A quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech, reminding us why we continue to teach kids about justice, equity, and unity.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.

Martin Luther King Jr, August 28, 1963

Martin Luther King Day Projects and Activities

I haven’t yet decided if our MLK day will be educational (museum, projects) or an actual service project. We just did the One Kind Act a Month feeding the homeless and plan to do that again later this month.

After all, I am trying to raise them to be charitable and socially aware. I think the planet needs more of that right now, and this is a great time to start.

Explore mlk activities for kids and empower them to dream, just like mlk did.

Martin Luther King Dream Clouds- This activity template is no longer online. However, looking at the picture, you can see it’s relatively easy to replicate.

Preschool + Pre-K

  • Color by Number Pages for MLK Day
  • Simple MLK Storytime using board books or read-alouds like “I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.”
  • Kindness Jar: Add a pom-pom or sticker each time someone does something kind
  • “Dream Cloud” Craft: Draw or dictate a wish for the world and glue it on a cloud cutout
  • Peaceful Play Centers: Blocks or sensory bins labeled with “peace” and “kindness”

K–2 (Early Elementary)

  • MLK Word Search + Jumble
  • Writing Prompt: “What is your dream for the world?”
  • “Fair vs. Unfair” Sorting Activity with simple picture cards
  • Timeline Craft: Sequence 3–4 events from Dr. King’s life with images
  • Friendship Bracelets: Make and give to someone as an act of kindness

Grades 3–5

  • MLK Day Writing Prompts
  • MLK Quote Match: Match quotes to their meaning or historical context
  • Civics Vocabulary Crossword (justice, equality, protest, rights)
  • “I Have a Dream” Speech Listening and Response
  • Role Play / Reader’s Theater based on events from the civil rights movement

Middle School

  • MLK Quote Analysis Journal Pages
  • Debate Prompt: “What would MLK say about [modern topic]?”
  • Compare Speeches: MLK’s “I Have a Dream” vs. another civil rights leader
  • Podcast Reflection: Listen to a short MLK-focused podcast, respond in writing
  • Group Discussion Guides on justice, advocacy, and peaceful protest

Museums and Places to Visit for MLK Day

  1. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC. The place where MLK gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
  2. Smithsonian Museum of African-American History is free, but you must reserve tickets months in advance. Same-day tickets are available if you want to wake up early and give it a shot.
  3. African American Museum in Philadelphia-the first institution built by a major United States city to house and interpret the life and work of African Americans.
  4. Central Pennsylvania African American Museum-Reading, PA. I’ve never been there. It has very limited hours.
  5. MLK Jr. National Historic Site-Atlanta. You can also do a Virtual Tour of this site online. It includes several buildings, including his childhood home.
  6. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change -“The King Center” has been a global destination, resource center, and community institution for over a quarter century. Nearly a million people pilgrimage to the National Historic Site each year to learn, be inspired, and pay their respects to Dr. King’s legacy. Atlanta.
  7. National Civil Rights Museum-at the Lorraine Hotel, where MLK was assassinated.

I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream.

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Martin Luther King Jr, August 28, 1963

Martin Luther King Day Projects and Activities

I haven’t yet decided if our MLK day will be educational (museum, projects) or an actual service project. We just did the One Kind Act a Month feeding the homeless and plan to do that again later this month.

After all, I am trying to raise them to be charitable and socially aware. I think the planet needs more of that right now, and this is a great time to start.