Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be about more than just a three-day weekend for your kids. Take the opportunity to teach your whole family some of the rich history involved with the Civil Rights movement. These eight celebratory events are child-friendly, educational, and most importantly, fun.
All Weekend
African American Leaders Scavenger Hunt at New York Historical Society
11 am-5 pm
Families are invited to search for historic documents and objects related to Martin Luther King Jr. and other inspiring African American leaders like James McCune Smith, Pierre Toussaint, and Frederick Douglass. Free with admission. 170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street); 212-873-3400
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend Celebration at Children’s Museum of Manhattan
Times Vary
All weekend, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting multiple events in honor of the holiday. Kids will love Martin’s Mosaic, a workshop where children recreate MLK’s portrait from recycled materials. There’s also Heroic Heroines: Ruby Bridges, a book reading, and Little Artists: Community Installation, a decorating party for tots 4 and under. But don’t miss the National Jazz Museum in Harlem All Stars Band performance Monday night! Free with admission. 212 West 83rd Street; 212-721-1223
Let’s March! and Let’s Join Hands at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Times Vary
Learn about the Civil Rights Era with two events from Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Let’s March! will educate children about the March on Washington with stories and footage, then let them create a banner and march themselves. The Let’s Join Hands workshop, geared toward younger children, teaches about tolerance and diversity through songs, storytelling, and crafting. Free with admission. 145 Brooklyn Avenue; 718-735-4400.
Saturday, January 18th
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Youth Dreamers at Dweck Center
1 pm
Enjoy poetry readings from young artists and performances by the Noel Pointer Foundation, a string musical education program. The event is being held in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. at Dweck Center at the Brooklyn Public Library (Central Library). Free. 10 Grand Army Plaza; 718-230-2100
Family Art Project: Mapping Freedom at Wave Hill House
10 am-1 pm
Wave Hill Garden and Cultural Center is reflecting on the Underground Railroad for the holiday. Families will draw secret maps to places they want to go, then transfer the images to muslin. Get creative by decorating the printed fabric in honor of traditional African American quilts. Free with admission.West 249th Street and Independence Avenue; 718-549-3200
Monday, January 20th
Community Conversations with Kids at Lefferts Historic House
1 pm-3 pm
New York City Council for Humanities is sponsoring a reading of the award-winning biography, Martin’s Big Words in Prospect Park. Later, the children will discuss the themes of the book, like service, freedom, and democracy. Free. 452 Flatbrush Avenue; 718-789-2822
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Historic Harlem Walking Tour
1 pm
Visit historic homes, churches, clubs, and theaters in Harlem on this two-hour Big Onion walking tour. Potential stops include Abyssinian Baptist Church, The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and The Apollo Theater. Adults $20, Students/Seniors/Members $15. Meet at Northwest Corner of 135th Street and Lenox (Malcolm X Avenue); 888-606-9255
Artists Celebrate the Living Legacy of Dr. King at JCC in Manhattan Media
6 pm to 7:30 pm
This community celebration honors MLK Day with performance artist Judith Sloan and keynote speakers Susannah Heschel (Eli Black Professor of Jewish Studies at Dartmouth College) and Joshua Nelson (Prince of Kosher Gospel). Registration is recommended, but seating is on a first come, first served basis. Free. 334 Amsterdam Avenue at 76th Street; 646-505-5708
