Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was not just a dreamer, he was an action taker. He was a courageous leader who, in only 39 years, changed the course of history. As a teacher who has shared his story with countless students, I’m struck again and again by the depth and complexity of his life: a man of vision, resilience, and sacrifice. His words and actions remind us that progress is possible, even in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Our world would look very different without Dr. King’s courage, and that is why the holiday designated in his honor must be more than a day off. Martin Luther King Jr. Day should be a day of reflection, celebration, and action.
For educators, it is also a call to bring his lessons alive in the classroom with Martin Luther King Jr. activities that inspire students to dream boldly and to lead with justice. Below, I share meaningful ways you can help your students not only learn about Dr. King but also live out the values he modeled. Let’s dream bigger and take action!
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Elementary School Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
1. Painted Poems of Peace
Students write an acrostic poem using the name “Martin Luther King Jr.” and create a painting or drawing that incorporates a meaningful quote from him.
2. Dream Quilt
Each student designs a square inspired by MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The class then assembles the squares into a collaborative quilt made from fabric, paper, or felt.
3. “Dear Dr. King” Letters
Students write heartfelt letters to Dr. King expressing gratitude, asking questions, or sharing their own dreams for justice.
4. Invent for Justice
Students brainstorm and design an invention that could have helped Dr. King spread his message of civil rights (like a peace-spreading machine, equality robot, or mobile unity van).
5. King’s Quotes Mosaic
Each student illustrates an MLK quote, and all the artwork is pieced together to form a large mosaic of Dr. King’s face.
6. MLK Timeline Parade
Students create small “floats” or rolling dioramas depicting major events in MLK’s life and parade them through the school, or the floats/dioramas can remain still and the students do the parading.
7. Dream in a Diamond
Students create a diamante poem (diamond-shaped poem) about Dr. King, capturing the essence of his life and dream in just a few powerful words.
8. The Dream Tree
Create a classroom tree where each leaf contains a student’s dream for a better world, inspired by MLK’s dream.
9. MLK Then & Now
Students write or draw how a day in Dr. King’s life would be different today in terms of technology, travel, activism, etc.
10. Nobel Peace Prizes
Students research MLK’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and other Nobel Peace Prize winners, then create a class peace promise. They then nominate students in the class who should earn a peace prize.
11. MLK’s Family Tree
Students create a family tree for Dr. King and research key family members who influenced him.
12. MLK Puzzle Challenge
Students create or solve a jigsaw puzzle with facts and quotes about Dr. King. For fun, teachers could allow students to create a puzzle outside with chalk.
13. Design a Dream T-Shirt
Students design a T-shirt with images or quotes honoring MLK and his message.
14. “Dream Friendship” Bracelets
Students use crafting letters, string, and beads to make a bracelet that has their dream on it (if they make the bracelet for themselves) or a positive,inspiring, uplifting word on it to give to a friend or classmate.
Middle School Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
15. The Road to Tragedy
Students explore the cause-and-effect events that led to Dr. King’s assassination. They create timelines or flowcharts that help explain the political and social tensions of the time.
16. Kahoot! With a Cause
Students play or create their own Kahoot! quiz to test and share knowledge about Dr. King’s life, speeches, and legacy. Teachers can guide younger students through a pre-made version.
17. “King’s Kitchen Table” Interviews
Students research key people from MLK’s life—his parents, teachers, wife Coretta Scott King, fellow activists—and role-play a dinner-table conversation sharing personal stories and quotes.
18. MLK in Comic Strips
Students illustrate a comic strip that tells a real moment from MLK’s life or an imaginary conversation between MLK and a modern child.
19. “Road to Peace” Board Game
Students design a board game where players move forward by answering trivia or making peaceful choices inspired by MLK’s values.
20. “Voices of Justice” Song or Rap
Students write and perform an original song or rap honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy.
21. “The Cost of Justice” Then vs. Now
Students research the prices of everyday items and transportation costs in the 1950s–’60s and compare them to today, understanding historical context.
22. MLK Civil Rights Tour
Students plan a tour visiting key sites in MLK’s life like Ebenezer Church, Selma, and the Birmingham Jail.
23. “Breaking News!” MLK Headlines
Students summarize real newspaper articles about MLK using the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why).
24. What’s in a Name?
Students explore why Dr. King’s name was changed and then research or present the meaning/story behind their own name.
25. “I Have a Dream” Video Reflection
Students watch MLK’s speech and complete a reflection sheet about its meaning and impact.
High School Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
26. Words That Changed the World
Students analyze and compare Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech with his “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” identifying tone, purpose, and historical impact.
27. MLK Radio Show
Students script and record a mock 1960s radio segment reporting on Dr. King’s latest march, award, or speech. They add in fake interviews and ads from the era.
28. MLK Soundtrack
Students explore music from the Civil Rights era, create a themed playlist, or perform freedom songs that connect to MLK’s message. Students can also use modern songs or make their own song titles.
29. The MLK Storybook
Older students create illustrated children’s books about MLK’s life and read them aloud to younger students.
30. My Dream Speech
Students write and perform their own “dream speeches,” inspired by MLK’s vision and oratorical style.
31. Leaders in the Light and Shadows
Students research and compare Dr. King to other civil rights leaders or opponents using Venn diagrams, organizers, or presentations to contrast their beliefs, strategies, and impact.
32. MLK’s Insta & TikTok
Students create mock Instagram or TikTok profiles for MLK, including sample posts, hashtags, or videos he might share if he were alive today.
33. MLK Around the World
Students complete a world language worksheet (Spanish, French, or Mandarin) with vocabulary and facts showing MLK’s global impact.
34. “March for Change” Event Planning
Students plan a peaceful community march including budgeting, logistics, permits, and MLK-inspired messaging.
35. “If MLK Were Here Today” AI & Age Progression Activity
Students use age-progression AI tools to visualize what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might look like today, or create a timeline of AI-generated portraits of him at various life stages (childhood, teenage years, adulthood, older age). After generating the images, students write reflective journal entries or speeches imagining what he might think about today’s world and civil rights issues. Students can imagine Dr. King at historic events he did not get the opportunity to see like the first Black president, the first Black female vice president, or all races united marching for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Extensions:
- Include AI-generated “photo captions” for historical milestones.
- Use text-based AI (like ChatGPT) to generate a fictional interview with an older Dr. King.
36. Debate for the Dream
Students participate in a structured debate arguing whether Dr. King’s nonviolence movement was the best approach, or if he was the most influential leader of the Civil Rights era.
37. Map Martin’s Memories
Students create digital or real maps to document historic places MLK visited and those that honor him now.
Download our free printable Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets!
We’ve created a set of reading materials and accompanying activities that’s perfect for elementary and middle school students. It includes a writing prompt and graphic organizer page too. Get your free Martin Luther King Jr. printables here.
