7 Meaningful Martin Luther King Jr. Activities for Big Kids

Martin Luther King Jr. activities are a great way to help kids connect with his legacy through creative projects and meaningful classroom moments.

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just around the corner, I always like to plan activities that help my students connect with his powerful message.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that integrating creative projects with meaningful discussions makes a real difference in how students understand and appreciate his legacy.

I still remember a few years ago when one of my students shared how Dr. King’s words inspired her to stand up for a friend who was being treated unfairly.

Moments like that remind me why it’s so important to bring his lessons into the classroom.

In this post, I’m excited to share some of my favorite Martin Luther King Jr. activities that have resonated with my students.

These ideas include writing prompts, crafts, and interactive lessons that encourage critical thinking and personal reflection.

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Why Teaching Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Matters

Teaching Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy goes beyond just a history lesson.

It’s an opportunity to show students how one person’s actions, courage, and words can shape the world.

For me, it’s about helping them see the values Dr. King stood for kindness, equality, and perseverance and how those values still matter today.

When we take the time to teach students about Dr. King, we’re not just teaching them about the past.

We’re inspiring them to think about their own actions and how they can contribute to creating a more just and compassionate world.

Whether it’s through a thought-provoking writing activity or a hands-on project, these lessons help students understand that their voices and actions matter.

Martin Luther King Jr. Activities for Upper Elementary

Analyze MLK’s Character with a Foldable

Foldables are a hands-on way for students to explore and reflect on key ideas.

For this activity, students will analyze Martin Luther King Jr.’s character traits, such as courage, kindness, and perseverance.

Here’s how I set it up:

Choose a picture book or short passage about Dr. King’s life.
Ask students to identify character traits supported by details from the text.
Students record their findings on a foldable, including text evidence for each trait.

Download my MLK foldable activity to get started! It’s perfect for combining reading and reflection in one engaging lesson.

Write from MLK’s Perspective with a Bio Poem

Writing a bio poem from Martin Luther King Jr.’s perspective is a creative way to teach empathy and research skills.

After researching Dr. King’s life, students write a poem that reflects his dreams, values, and accomplishments.

Once complete, students can share their poems during a classroom discussion or display them on a bulletin board to inspire others.

MLK Writing Activity to Teach Text Evidence

Writing with text evidence is a crucial skill, and this MLK writing activity helps students practice while exploring Dr. King’s legacy.

Students read paired passages about Dr. King and answer the prompt: “What kind of person was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. based on his thoughts and actions?”

The activity includes graphic organizers to help students plan their response, guided sentence starters for support, and a checklist to revise and edit their work.

Check out this resource in my TPT store to use in your classroom!

Reflect on MLK Quotes with a Hand Craft

This reflective craft combines creativity and deeper thinking about Dr. King’s words.

Here’s how it works:

Place numbered quotes and explanations around the classroom.
Students choose a quote that resonates with them.
They trace their hand or use a provided template to write their reflection.
Pair their reflection with a heart-shaped template featuring the quote.
Mount the pieces on construction paper for a beautiful bulletin board display.

This craft encourages students to think about how Dr. King’s words apply to their own lives.

Check out the MLK hand craft resource in my TPT store to add this activity to your plans.

Directed Drawing of Martin Luther King Jr.

Directed drawings are always a favorite in my classroom. Students follow a step-by-step tutorial to create a portrait of Dr. King.

Add a layer of meaning by having students decorate their drawings with quotes or facts they’ve learned.

This simple activity ties art and history together beautifully.

Check out this free video on Youtube for the directed drawing.

Take a Virtual Field Trip to Learn About MLK

Bring history to life with a virtual field trip to Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home or the MLK Memorial.

A park ranger narrated the video walkthrough of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birth Home.

These interactive experiences give students a glimpse into his life and the impact of his work.

Encourage students to take notes during the trip and share one new fact they learned in a class discussion.

Why These Martin Luther King Jr. Activities Work

Each of these Martin Luther King Jr. activities allows students to explore Dr. King’s life through writing, reflection, and creativity.

They go beyond memorizing facts, helping students connect history to their own experiences and values.

Teaching students about Martin Luther King Jr. in an engaging way builds background knowledge for future lessons.

For example, pairing these Martin Luther King Jr. activities with the MLK text evidence writing prompt helps reinforce critical writing skills while honoring his legacy.