Martin Luther King Day Activities For Second Graders 2025

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is more than just a day off from school—it’s an opportunity to teach young minds about compassion, equality, and the importance of standing against injustice. For second graders, the lessons of Martin Luther King Jr. can be a springboard for understanding topics like fairness, diversity, and the power of using your voice. By tailoring activities to their age and developmental level, we can make the holiday meaningful and inspiring.

This guide provides creative, engaging, and educational MLK Day activities for second graders in 2025. From crafts to classroom discussions, these ideas help instill Dr. King’s timeless message of hope and change in a way that resonates with young learners.

Why Teach About Martin Luther King Jr. to Second Graders?

At this stage, second graders are developing their sense of right and wrong and are beginning to notice the world outside of their immediate environment. Teaching them about Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy lays the foundation for empathy and social awareness.

By presenting his lessons in engaging, hands-on ways, you give your students a meaningful glimpse into our shared history while showing them how they can contribute to a better future.

Creative Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities for the Classroom

1. Read-Aloud and Reflect

Start with a short, age-appropriate biography of Martin Luther King Jr. Books like “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport or “I Am Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Brad Meltzer are great choices.

How to make it interactive:

• Pause throughout the story to ask questions like, “Why do you think it was important for Dr. King to stand up for what he believed in?”
• After the story, ask students to share one thing they learned or found inspiring about Dr. King.

Extensions:

Encourage them to draw or write about what they would do to make their community fairer or kinder, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did.

2. Create an “I Have a Dream” Cloud Activity

Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech is one of the most iconic moments in history. Help your second graders understand its significance with an interactive craft.

What you’ll need:

• Construction paper
• Cotton balls or cloud cut-outs
• Markers and crayons

How to do it:

1. Discuss Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream with the class and explain how it was about fairness and kindness for all people.
2. Ask the students to think about their own dreams for a better world.
3. Have them write their dreams on paper clouds (e.g., “Everyone shares their toys,” or “There are more homes for people without one”) and decorate with drawings or cotton balls.
4. Hang the clouds on a wall to create a “Dream Gallery.”

3. Act It Out with Role-Playing

Help students truly connect with Martin Luther King Jr.’s message through role-playing.

The Scenario:

Create simple scenarios that mimic moments of unfairness (e.g., “Some students get three crayons, while others get none”) and guide the children to talk about how they would solve the problem fairly. Encourage them to think about standing up for others while staying kind.

Discussion Points:

• How did Dr. King handle unfairness?
• What would you do to make things fair?

By engaging them in empathetic thinking, you plant the seeds of equality and justice from a young age.

4. MLK-Themed Art Projects

Creativity always clicks with second graders. Combine art with powerful lessons about diversity and Dr. King’s vision.

Activity Idea #1: Unity Handprint Mural

• Provide paint in a variety of skin-tone shades.
• Have each student make a handprint on a large poster board.
• Add the quote, “We are all special, and we are all equal,” at the top.

This creates a beautiful visual metaphor for diversity.

Activity Idea #2: Peace Dove Collage

• Provide dove cutouts and mixed media like tissue paper and magazines.
• Encourage students to decorate their doves while discussing what peace means to them.

5. Sing Songs of Hope and Unity

Children enjoy expressing themselves through music, and there are many songs that tie into themes of peace and equality.

Examples:

• “This Little Light of Mine” can be paired with a discussion about being brave enough to stand up for what’s right.
• Teach a verse of “We Shall Overcome” and explain its significance during the Civil Rights Movement.

Invite students to sing along or interpret the lyrics through dance or drawings.

6. Watch Educational Videos

Visual storytelling can make history come to life for young children. Find short, age-appropriate videos about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

Recommended Options:

• PBS Kids’ Martin Luther King Jr. video clips
• Animated educational videos like those from BrainPOP Jr.

Follow the viewing with a discussion about what they learned or found most interesting.

7. Create a Kindness Challenge

Martin Luther King Jr. inspired positive change, and your students can, too! Launch a classroom or school-wide kindness challenge.

How it works:

1. Explain that every time they do something kind (like helping a friend, saying something nice, or sharing), they’ll write it on a paper heart or star.
2. Add these acts of kindness to a collective display, like filling a heart on the wall.
3. Celebrate when the display is full!

This activity helps students see that small acts of kindness can add up to make a big difference.

8. Field Trips and Virtual Events

If possible, plan a field trip to a local library or cultural center hosting an MLK-themed event. Alternatively, join virtual events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day that are designed for young audiences.

Some museums or organizations may also offer live streams or interactive webinars tailored for children.