Martin Luther King day Activities for Preschool 2025

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a holiday; it’s an opportunity to teach young children about important values like kindness, equality, and standing up for what’s right. While the concepts associated with Martin Luther King Jr. may seem complex, they can be introduced to preschoolers through fun and meaningful activities that are both age-appropriate and impactful. Here’s a list of 10 engaging Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities for preschoolers that help introduce his legacy and values in an interactive and memorable way.

Why Teach Preschoolers About Martin Luther King Jr.?

Preschool is a time of immense curiosity, when children are learning about the world around them and building the foundation for their moral and social development. Teaching kids about Martin Luther King Jr. encourages them to:

• Understand the importance of kindness and fairness.
• Learn to identify and appreciate diversity.
• Begin thinking about how they can help others, even in small ways.

Using creative activities can make these lessons easier for young children to grasp and relate to in their daily lives.

1. Read a Picture Book About Martin Luther King Jr.

One of the simplest yet most impactful ways to introduce Martin Luther King Jr.’s story is through picture books. Stories tailored to young readers use vibrant illustrations and simple language to communicate his ideals.

Some great options include:

• “I Am Martin Luther King Jr.” by Brad Meltzer
• “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport
• “My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Martin Luther King III

After reading, ask open-ended questions like, “Why did Martin Luther King want everyone to be treated equally?” to encourage discussions.

2. Make a “Dream Cloud” Craft

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, preschoolers can create their own dream clouds. Give them paper cutouts in the shape of clouds and ask them to draw or dictate their dreams for the world—for example, “I wish everyone would share toys” or “I dream of a happy playground.”

Display their dreams on a bulletin board to celebrate their thoughtful ideas.

3. Sing Songs About Kindness

Music is a wonderful medium to help preschoolers absorb important concepts. Teach the kids simple, familiar tunes with modified lyrics that promote kindness, such as singing “If You’re Kind and You Know It” instead of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

You can also introduce songs inspired by Dr. King, like “We Shall Overcome,” with easy-to-understand explanations about what the lyrics mean.

4. Create a Handprint Diversity Wreath

Help children understand and celebrate diversity by creating a collaborative handprint wreath. Have each child trace and cut out their handprints on different-colored construction paper.

Then, assemble the handprints into a wreath shape, symbolizing how people of all backgrounds can come together to make something beautiful. Hang it in the classroom as a reminder of unity and teamwork.

5. Role-Play “Kindness Scenarios”

Preschoolers learn well through play, so create small scenarios to act out examples of kindness and inclusivity. For instance:

• Sharing toys with a classmate.
• Inviting a new friend to join a game.
• Saying kind words when someone feels sad.

After each role-play, discuss how these actions can make others feel. Role-playing helps connect abstract ideas like fairness and kindness to real-life situations that preschoolers understand.

6. Watch a Short, Age-Appropriate Video on Dr. King

Visual learners will benefit from watching a brief, preschool-friendly video about Martin Luther King Jr. Many streaming platforms or teacher resources offer educational clips highlighting his life and achievements.

Remember to choose a video that emphasizes themes like kindness and equality rather than focusing heavily on the more complex aspects of history.

7. Celebrate Diversity Through a Snack Activity

Use snack time as an opportunity to reinforce the message of celebrating differences. Offer a variety of snacks, such as different types of fruits or crackers, paired with a conversation about how variety makes things more interesting and enjoyable—for example, “Just like snacks, people are unique in their own special ways.”

This hands-on activity connects easily to preschoolers’ favorite time of day—eating!—while teaching them about the value of diversity.

8. Create a “Community Helpers” Collage

Talk to the children about how Martin Luther King Jr. helped his community and how there are people in their own neighborhoods who help others, like teachers, doctors, and firefighters.

Provide old magazines, child-safe scissors, and glue, and ask the kids to cut out images of community helpers and glue them onto a poster board. Discuss how everyone in a community can contribute to making it kind and fair for everyone.

9. Do a Good Deed Together

Honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by engaging preschoolers in a simple act of kindness as a class. For example:

• Collecting food or toys to donate to a local charity.
• Making “thank you” cards for cafeteria workers or janitors.
• Helping clean up the playground after recess.

Explain to the children how even small kind gestures can make a big difference in someone’s day.

10. Paint or Draw “Equality” Art

Provide art supplies and ask the children to create paintings or drawings representing kindness, fairness, or friendship. Give them prompts like, “Can you draw a picture of friends helping each other?”

Display their artwork in the classroom or share it with families to highlight their understanding of Martin Luther King Jr.’s values.