Juneteenth is a powerful day in American history - a celebration of freedom, progress, and Black culture. And while it’s rooted in the past, it’s also a beautiful opportunity to teach our kids about resilience, heritage, and the importance of equality.
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Whether this is your first time celebrating or it’s a yearly tradition, there are so many ways to make Juneteenth fun, age-appropriate, and meaningful for the whole family. From learning through books to wearing powerful messages, here are ideas for how to celebrate Juneteenth with your children.
Juneteenth (short for June 19th) marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It's now recognized as a national holiday and is a time to honor freedom, educate, reflect, and celebrate Black culture.
Head to your local library or bookstore and pick up children’s books that highlight Black history and joy. A few great options:
Sometimes, a simple coloring activity is the perfect way to spark conversation. Download our free printable Juneteenth coloring page to keep your little ones engaged while you chat about what the holiday means.
Celebrate freedom in style with our collection of Juneteenth shirts for kids and families. These tees are designed to make a statement, start conversations, and teach kids to be proud of their culture and history.
👉 Shop our Juneteenth Collection here: https://mmofphilly.com/collections/juneteenth-shirts
Get the kids involved in the kitchen and make foods that are traditionally part of Juneteenth celebrations - like red velvet cake, mac and cheese, BBQ, and cornbread. Talk about how food brings people together and tells a story.
Make a paper quilt of African American heroes, a flag with the Juneteenth colors (red, black, green, yellow), or draw pictures that represent freedom. Let them express what Juneteenth means in their own way.
You don’t have to have all the answers. Just open up space to talk about freedom, fairness, and how we can make the world a better place. Even young kids can understand the idea of kindness and justice.
Kids learn from what we say - but even more from what we do. Taking the time to honor Juneteenth, even in small ways, shows them that Black history matters, Black culture matters, and they matter too.
Whether you’re attending a local event, rocking your Juneteenth shirt, or coloring together at home - you’re creating memories that matter.
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Amber Bowie
Author