Black History Month Art And Craft Activities
Introduction
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It’s also a great opportunity to teach children about the important figures and events that have shaped our nation. Art and craft activities are a fun and engaging way to learn about black history while also fostering creativity and imagination. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best art and craft activities for kids to celebrate Black History Month.
Frederick Douglass Paper Bag Puppet
Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist, writer, and orator who escaped slavery and became a leader in the fight for equal rights. To make a paper bag puppet of Frederick Douglass, start with a brown paper bag and cut out a rectangular shape for the face. Use markers or paint to draw his features and add a beard and mustache. Cut out a hat and attach it to the top of the bag using glue or tape. Add a shirt and tie using construction paper or fabric scraps. Kids can use their puppets to act out scenes from Douglass’s life or speeches.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Quilt
Harriet Tubman was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of slaves to freedom. To create a quilt in honor of her legacy, have children cut out squares of fabric and decorate them with symbols and images that represent the Underground Railroad. They can then stitch the squares together to create a quilt. This activity not only teaches kids about Tubman’s bravery and perseverance, but also about the history of quilting as a form of communication and storytelling among African Americans.
Jazz Collage
Jazz is a uniquely American form of music that originated among African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To make a jazz collage, have kids cut out images from magazines or print them off the internet that represent the different instruments used in jazz music. They can then arrange the images on a piece of paper and glue them down to create a colorful and dynamic collage. This activity not only teaches kids about the history of jazz, but also about the importance of creativity and improvisation in music.
Rosa Parks Bus Mural
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955. To create a mural in honor of her bravery, have kids draw or paint a picture of a bus on a large piece of paper. They can then cut out paper people and glue them to the bus to represent the passengers. One person should be seated in the front of the bus, while the others are standing in the back. This activity not only teaches kids about Parks’s role in the civil rights movement, but also about the importance of standing up for what is right.
Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream Mobile
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and the leader of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. To make an I Have a Dream mobile in honor of his famous speech, have kids cut out clouds and stars from construction paper and write words or phrases from the speech on them. They can then attach the clouds and stars to a piece of string and hang them from a hanger or a piece of wood. This activity not only teaches kids about King’s vision for a more just and equal society, but also about the power of words and ideas to inspire change.
Conclusion
Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Art and craft activities are a fun and engaging way to learn about black history while also fostering creativity and imagination. Whether making a paper bag puppet of Frederick Douglass or a jazz collage, these activities provide a meaningful way for kids to connect with the past and understand the present. By incorporating black history into art and craft activities, we can inspire the next generation to continue the fight for equality and justice.