Teaching little kids about history is tricky. You've got these tiny humans who still think the moon follows their car, and now you’re trying to explain the weight of the Civil Rights Movement? It feels impossible. But honestly, Black History Month crafts for preschoolers aren't just about glue sticks and construction paper; they’re about building the foundation of empathy before the world starts teaching them otherwise.
I’ve seen too many classrooms default to the same three people every February. It’s always George Washington Carver and his peanuts, or a quick coloring page of Rosa Parks. Don’t get me wrong, those figures are titans. But if we only show preschoolers Black history through the lens of struggle or "long ago" inventions, we’re missing the vibrant, joyful, and ongoing contributions of Black creators. We need to do better.
The Problem with "Taco Tuesday" History
Most early childhood educators fall into the trap of "holidays and heroes" teaching. It’s that thing where you only talk about a culture during one specific week, eat a snack, and then tuck it away for a year. That’s not education. That’s a gimmick. When we approach Black history month crafts for preschoolers, we should be looking for ways to integrate these stories into their everyday play.
Think about it.
If a child only sees Black figures in the context of "fighting for rights," they subconsciously learn that Blackness is synonymous with struggle. We want them to see Blackness as synonymous with brilliance, art, science, and everyday life.
Handprint Unity Wreaths and the "Skin Tone" Conversation
Let's talk about the classic handprint wreath. You’ve seen it. Kids trace their hands on different shades of brown and tan paper and glue them in a circle. It’s simple. It’s cheap. But the real value is in the conversation you have while the kids are struggling with those safety scissors.
Preschoolers notice skin color. Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, a renowned psychologist and author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, has spent decades proving that kids as young as three are already processing racial cues. Avoiding the topic doesn't make them colorblind; it just makes them confused.
When you do a handprint craft, don't just use "flesh" colored crayons—because we all know that used to mean just one pale peach color. Grab the "Colors of the World" sets. Let them hold their arm up to the paper. Ask them, "What color is your skin? Is it like cinnamon? Cocoa? Sand?" This makes the craft a lesson in observation rather than a lecture on sociology.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Siege of Vienna 1683 Still Echoes in European History Today
Alma Woodsey Thomas and the Power of the Dot
If you want a craft that actually looks good on a fridge and teaches art history, look at Alma Woodsey Thomas. She was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her style is basically built for preschoolers. She used these bright, rhythmic dabs of paint—often called "Alma’s Dots."
Give a kid a piece of white cardstock and some tempera paint. Tell them to start in the center with one color and make a circle of dots. Then, switch colors and make a larger circle around that one. Keep going until the page is full.
It’s a mosaic. It’s vibrant.
It’s also great for fine motor skills.
While they’re dabbing away, tell them about Alma. She was a teacher for 35 years before she became a famous artist in her 80s. That’s a cool story for a kid to hear—that you’re never too old to start something new.
Faith Ringgold’s Story Quilts
Faith Ringgold is a legend. Her "story quilts" like Tar Beach combine painting, quilted fabric, and narrative. For a preschooler, "quilting" sounds hard. But we can simplify it.
You can give each child a square of cardstock. Let them draw a picture of a place where they feel totally free—maybe it’s the park, or their grandma’s house, or an imaginary castle in the clouds. Then, take all those squares and tape them together on the back to make one giant classroom quilt.
🔗 Read more: Why the Blue Jordan 13 Retro Still Dominates the Streets
Why this works:
- It teaches community.
- It honors the tradition of African American quilting (think of the Underground Railroad quilts, though historians still debate how much of that was literal code versus oral tradition).
- It gives the kids a sense of belonging to a larger whole.
Honestly, the "freedom" conversation is one preschoolers get. They know what it feels like when they aren't allowed to do something. Linking that feeling to the stories of people like Harriet Tubman makes the history relatable.
Garrett Morgan’s Traffic Light
Garrett Morgan was a genius. He invented a version of the gas mask and, crucially for our purposes, the three-light traffic signal. This is a staple in Black history month crafts for preschoolers because it’s functional and recognizable.
You need:
- Black construction paper (the rectangle).
- Red, yellow, and green circles.
- Glue.
But here’s the twist to make it "human-quality" and not a robot craft: Talk about safety. Ask the kids, "Who keeps us safe?" Garrett Morgan wanted people to be safe on the roads. When they see a traffic light on the way home, they’ll remember his name. That’s how you make history stick. You link the classroom to the car ride home.
The "Hidden Figures" of the Playroom
We often forget that Black history is also the history of toys. Lonnie Johnson, a NASA engineer, invented the Super Soaker. If you’re doing these crafts in a warmer climate or have a sensory table, talking about Lonnie Johnson is a huge hit.
You don't even need a "craft" for this one. Just give them squirt bottles and talk about how a rocket scientist used his knowledge of air pressure to make the best water gun ever. It shows kids that "science" isn't just boring books; it’s fun.
💡 You might also like: Sleeping With Your Neighbor: Why It Is More Complicated Than You Think
What most people get wrong about these crafts
The biggest mistake? Treating these activities like a "one and done" event. If you only bring out the "diverse" art supplies in February, you’re inadvertently teaching your students that these stories are "extra" or "other."
True inclusion means Alma Thomas is discussed in October. It means Garrett Morgan comes up when you're doing a unit on transportation in May.
Another pitfall is the "sadness" factor. Preschoolers are empathetic, but they can also be overwhelmed. If you spend the whole time talking about the pain of the past, they might pull away. Balance it. For every story about a struggle, tell one about a triumph or a beautiful piece of art.
Practical Steps for Your Classroom or Home
If you're ready to dive into Black history month crafts for preschoolers, don't overthink the "art" part. Focus on the "heart" part.
- Audit your book bin. Before you start any craft, read a book by a Black author or illustrator. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (the first mainstream book to feature an African American protagonist) is a great place to start, even though Keats himself wasn't Black. Better yet, grab The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander.
- Focus on textures. Use fabric scraps, beads, and different types of paper. African art often incorporates mixed media; let the kids get messy with it.
- Use real photos. Show them what these people actually looked like. Don't just show a cartoon. Let them see the face of Mae Jemison in her space suit.
- Make it permanent. Don't throw these crafts away on March 1st. Keep the "class quilt" up all year.
The goal isn't a perfect product. It's a child who looks at a person who looks different from them and sees a scientist, an artist, or a hero. It's a kid who realizes that our world is built by people of all colors.
Start by picking one person—maybe it’s Jean-Michel Basquiat for his wild, expressive "crowned" paintings—and let the kids go nuts with crayons and crowns. Let them be "kings" and "queens" of their own art. That’s a lesson in self-worth that lasts much longer than a month.