How to Celebrate Black History Month with Children

Black History Month is a brilliant opportunity for children and adults alike to learn, reflect, and celebrate. In the UK, it’s marked every October and highlights the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of Black people - both past and present.

Whether your child is already curious about history or keen to get involved, there are plenty of fun and age-appropriate ways to participate. In this article, we’ll share creative ideas to help you celebrate Black History Month with your primary school-aged child.

1. Try some tasty recipes together

Cooking with your child is a great bonding activity, and Black History Month is the perfect time to explore new flavours while learning about different cultures. From curry goat and ackee and saltfish to Jamaican dumplings, there’s a whole world of delicious dishes that honour Black heritage and tradition.

Many UK supermarkets stock ingredients from Caribbean and African cuisines in their world food aisles, making it easy to whip up something new at home. Let your child help with mixing, measuring, and tasting, and chat about where the dish comes from and why it’s special.

Not a fan of cooking? No worries! Head out for a food adventure instead. Visit a local restaurant that serves soul food, Caribbean cuisine, or West African dishes. It’s tasty, educational, and a great excuse for a post-work-and-school treat!

2. Have a kitchen dance party

Turn up the volume and get moving! Music is one of the most joyful ways to celebrate Black History Month with your child. From Afrobeats and Calypso to reggae and blues, many popular music genres have deep roots in Black culture and history.

Pick a playlist that features a mix of styles and artists, and have a dance party right in your kitchen or living room. As you dance, chat with your child about where the music comes from and how it’s influenced the songs they love today. You might be surprised to discover that even their favourite pop hits borrow rhythms and styles from these iconic genres.

It’s fun, educational, and a great way to burn off some energy while celebrating the creativity and cultural impact of Black musicians around the world.

3. Play Black History Month bingo

Looking for a screen-free way to wind down and connect as a family after a busy week?

Black History Month Bingo is a fun, interactive game that gets everyone learning while having a laugh. It’s perfect for primary-aged children and a great way to reinforce everything they’ve discovered throughout the month.

You don’t need to buy anything fancy - simply grab some paper and pens or use a free tool like Canva to design your own bingo cards. Fill the squares with things you’ve explored together, such as flags of African and Caribbean countries, traditional foods, music genres, or famous Black British figures.

4. Get creative with Black History Month art projects

Got a crafty child who loves to paint, draw, or glue things together? Black History Month is a brilliant time to channel that creativity into something meaningful. Whether your child is into watercolour painting, collage-making, cross-stitch, or just loves a good colouring session, there are plenty of ways to turn art into a learning experience.

Try using colours and patterns inspired by African and Caribbean flags, or explore traditional art styles such as cloth designs, symbols, or geometric patterns. You could even create a gallery wall at home to showcase their masterpieces and talk about the stories behind each one. It’s a fun, hands-on way to learn about culture, history, and identity.

5. Write to role models

Letter writing can be a wonderful way for children to reflect, express themselves, and build literacy skills, all while learning about inspiring figures during Black History Month. Encourage your child to write a letter to a Black trailblazer they admire. It could be someone from history, like Mary Seacole, or a modern-day role model such as Marcus Rashford.

They can ask questions, share what they’ve learned, or even request advice. What would they want to know about their journey? What challenges did they overcome? This activity helps children connect emotionally with the stories they’ve explored and gives them a chance to imagine meaningful conversations with real-life heroes. Plus, it’s a lovely keepsake to look back on in years to come.

While October marks Black History Month, embracing cultural diversity doesn’t have to stop there. Read our previous article Empowering Your Child: 10 Top Tips for Talking About Inclusivity and Diversity with Your Children for some more inspiration.