Free Printable Martin Luther King Jr Worksheets for Kindergarten and Beyond
Inside: Discover free printable Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets for kindergarten! Perfect for teaching fairness, equality, and kindness with hands-on activities. Includes a full 115-page MLK Unit Study for K-5 with timelines, reading comprehension, and interactive worksheets. Download now!
Teaching my son about Martin Luther King Jr. has become one of our little traditions at the start of every year. It’s such a nice way to kick things off—learning about kindness, courage, and the power of big dreams. There’s something about starting the new year by reflecting on Dr. King’s life and his message that feels inspiring and hopeful, especially when it’s wrapped up in hands-on, fun activities.
This year, I’ve created these free printable Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets for kindergarten, perfect for young children but also adaptable for kids up to 5th grade. From coloring pages and tracing activities to simple lessons on the civil rights movement, this unit is an easy-to-implement way to talk about big ideas like fairness and equality.
If you’re looking for a way to mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrate Black History Month, or want to weave these lessons into your American history, grab this unit study and join us.
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Why Teach Kids About Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
One of the things I love most about homeschooling is the freedom to teach my son stories and lessons that truly matter. Teaching about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most influential civil-rights activists in the United States, is a chance to explore big ideas like fairness, kindness, and justice in a way that feels personal and meaningful. History is more than just dates and events—it’s about understanding where we’ve been so we can shape a better future.
Kids need to know that change happens when people stand up for what’s right. Learning about Dr. King’s life, his leadership in non-violent protests, and his efforts in organizing peaceful marches during the civil rights movement helps kids connect with these values in a real and impactful way. It’s a chance to talk about ideas like fairness and equality in ways that resonate with their everyday experiences—whether it’s sharing, being kind, or treating others with respect no matter their differences.
For homeschoolers, teaching about Martin Luther King Day offers a unique opportunity to explore civil rights history in a way that’s engaging and relevant. It’s more than just another federal holiday or time to work on a holiday worksheet. It’s about having meaningful conversations about empathy, standing up for justice, and dreaming of a better future. And honestly, it’s one of the most rewarding things to learn together.
This is why I created these free printable Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets for kindergarten (and beyond). They’re not just about learning facts—they’re about starting conversations, planting seeds of understanding, and inspiring kids to dream big, just like Dr. King did. These lessons remind us all that small actions, when rooted in kindness and courage, can create lasting change.
What’s Covered in the MLK Unit Study – 115 open-and-go pages
When I created this Martin Luther King Jr. & the Civil Rights Unit Study, I wanted something that was both easy to use and truly impactful. Whether you’re a homeschooling parent like me or a teacher managing a classroom full of kids, this 115-page printable is designed to meet your needs. It’s packed with activities, interactive worksheets, templates, and lesson plans that help kids connect with Dr. King’s life and the civil rights movement in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.
For younger learners, there are hands-on activities like tracing, coloring, and simple timelines. For older students, the unit includes resources that go deeper, like reading comprehension worksheets, creative writing prompts, and even opportunities for independent work. By the time 5th grade students tackle projects like writing their own speeches or analyzing Dr. King’s words, they’re engaging with history in a way that builds critical thinking skills while reinforcing English language arts standards.
This unit study is more than just worksheets—it’s a versatile tool that encourages kids to reflect, discuss, and grow. Whether your goal is to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, integrate civil rights history into your curriculum, or simply provide a deeper understanding of Dr. King’s legacy, this study has everything you need to make it impactful and inspiring.
Here’s a closer look at what’s inside:
For Teachers and Parents: No Extra Work Required
I know how overwhelming it can be to prepare lessons on big topics like this. That’s why I included 1-page background guides on:
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- The “I Have a Dream” Speech
- The Civil Rights Movement
These are quick reference sheets designed to save you time—you don’t need to scour the internet or piece together information. They give you the confidence to dive right in, whether you’re homeschooling one child or working with multiple kids at different levels.
Activities and Resources for Younger Children in Grades K-3
For young students, I wanted to create activities that are simple but still teach big concepts like fairness, kindness, and equality. Here’s what’s included:
MLK and the Civil Rights Leveled Readers
Finding good readers that match your child’s level can be a pain, so I made three versions:
- K-1 Reader: Short, simple sentences with tracing opportunities and pictures to color.
- K-2 Advanced Reader: Slightly more challenging vocabulary while still including tracing.
- 1-3 Reader: A longer, more detailed option with opportunities for coloring.
These make it easy to introduce the legacy of Martin Luther King at just the right level for your child.
Diversity Egg Worksheet
This hands-on fun worksheet uses eggs to teach kids that we’re all the same inside, no matter our skin color. It’s simple, visual, and incredibly effective for sparking conversations about diversity. The included worksheet and lesson plan make it easy to guide.
MLK Day Timeline Activities
Timelines are such a fun way to connect the dots in history. This unit includes:
- A pre-filled timeline for quick reference or younger learners.
- A cut-and-paste timeline where kids can color, cut, and assemble important events from Dr. King’s life and the civil rights movement.
Fair vs. Unfair Activity
This activity helps kids understand fairness by sorting examples into “fair” or “unfair” categories. The templates include illustrations for younger kids and more text-based prompts for slightly older learners, making it easy to adapt.
Handwriting Practice
If you’ve ever wished handwriting practice felt more purposeful, this section is for you. Kids can trace or copy the letter M and Martin Luther King Jr.’s name or even Dr. King’s quotes in manuscript or cursive, with options for uppercase, lowercase, or full sentences. Each page also includes a small coloring image to keep it fun.
Activities for Grades 3-5: Thoughtful and Challenging
Older kids need activities that push them to think critically and express their ideas. This unit makes that easy with:
Close Reading Passages
Dive deeper into Dr. King’s life and speeches and key events of the civil rights movement with:
- Close reading text passages on MLK and the civil rights movement (2 levels included).
- Short answer questions to encourage comprehension.
- Discussion prompts to spark meaningful conversations.
- Fill-in-the-blank vocabulary exercises with an included answer key.
Fact File Template
This is perfect for independent research! Kids can create a fact file about Dr. King by filling out prompts about his life, achievements (like the Nobel Peace prize), and legacy.
Famous Speech Writing Activity
This section lets kids write their own “I Have a Dream”-style speech using a guided template. I even included a simplified version of Dr. King’s speech for inspiration and tips for encouraging kids to present their speeches with confidence.
Flipbook Activity
This fun, creative project includes sections for drawing, writing about their dreams, and completing fill-in-the-blank prompts about Dr. King. Kids can cut, color, and assemble the flipbook, or print it on colored paper if they’re not into coloring.
Vocabulary Activities
Kids can build their knowledge with:
- A matching game for 20 key terms (e.g., segregation, boycott, equality).
- Sentence writing prompts for using vocabulary in context.
- A word search puzzle and crossword puzzle, both with answer keys.
Why This Unit Study Stands Out
One of the hardest parts of homeschooling is balancing activities for kids at different levels without doubling your workload. That’s why this study is designed to adapt:
Flexible Time Frames: Whether you have a full day to dedicate or just 15 minutes, the mix-and-match format lets you decide how deep to go.
For Single Children: Pick and choose activities based on your child’s age and interests. Use the timeline for a quick history lesson, or dive into the flipbook for a more creative project.
For Multiple Children: Group activities like the diversity egg activity or speech writing can bring siblings together while still challenging them individually.
I made this study because I wanted a resource that felt as intentional and meaningful as the lessons I want to teach my son. It’s not just about history—it’s about showing kids how they can make the world a better place, just like Dr. King did. And most importantly, it’s easy to use, so you can spend more time teaching and less time planning.
For less than the cost of your favorite coffee, the Martin Luther King Jr. & The Civil Rights Unit Study can transform how you teach fairness, courage, and equality. This 115-page resource is perfect for grades K-5, blending social studies, reading, writing, and art into hands-on, interactive activities like timelines, flipbooks, and writing prompts.
At just $11.89, it’s an affordable way to inspire your kids while saving you time with its open-and-go format. Plus, if you refer a friend through my shop, you’ll both get 5% off—because sharing great resources should always come with perks! Don’t forget to grab the extensive free sample below for kindergarten to try it out!
Free Printable Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheets for Kindergarten
Teaching your kindergartener about Martin Luther King Jr. can be fun, meaningful, and simple with these free printable worksheets for kindergarten! This pack is part of my larger 115-page MLK Day unit study, and it’s designed to help little learners explore Dr. King’s life, his values, and the basics of the civil rights movement through hands-on, age-appropriate activities.
What’s Included in the Free Printable Pack?
This free pack includes five engaging activities tailored for kindergarteners:
1. Fair vs. Unfair Sorting Activity
This activity is a playful yet meaningful way to teach kids about fairness. Using simple, illustrated examples, kindergarteners sort illustrated cards into “fair” or “unfair” categories. It’s perfect for sparking conversations about kindness and equality. The included lesson plan helps guide the discussion, and kids can get creative by coloring, cutting, and pasting the cards to complete the activity.
2. MLK Timeline Cut-and-Paste
Timelines make history come alive for kids, and this hands-on activity lets them learn about Dr. King’s life by assembling a simple timeline. They’ll cut and paste events into the correct order while coloring along the way.
3. Simplified K-1 Reader
Designed for early readers, this leveled reader introduces Martin Luther King Jr. in simple, easy-to-follow sentences. Kids can trace the text to practice their writing skills while coloring the illustrations to bring the story to life.
4. Letter Tracing Pages
For little ones still mastering their writing skills, these tracing pages offer a focused way to practice. Kids can trace the letter M and the full name “Martin Luther King Jr.” in manuscript. It’s a great way to build fine motor skills while introducing key names and reinforcing their connection to the day’s lesson.
5. Courage Quote Coloring and Tracing Page
This activity combines creativity with inspiration. Kids trace an uppercase quote about courage—one of Dr. King’s core values—and then color an accompanying image to reinforce the message.
Get Your Free Printable Pack
Subscribe to my newsletter, and I’ll send these free Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets for kindergarten straight to your inbox. It’s a small preview of my full 115-page unit study, and I can’t wait for you to try it with your little learners!
Books About Martin Luther King Jr. for Kindergarten
Books are a wonderful way to introduce young children to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Pairing books with hands-on activities helps bring the story to life and makes the lessons even more memorable. For kindergarteners, these books use simple language, beautiful illustrations, and age-appropriate storytelling to explain Dr. King’s life, his dreams, and his impact on the civil rights movement. They also work perfectly alongside the activities in my free printable Martin Luther King Jr. worksheets for kindergarten to reinforce key concepts.
1. My First Biography: Martin Luther King Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer
This beginner biography is perfect for little learners, offering a simple yet engaging introduction to Dr. King’s life. It highlights his childhood, leadership, and dreams for a better world.
Pair this book with the MLK timeline cut-and-paste activity from my printable pack to help kids connect the events in the story with real historical moments.
2. I Am Martin Luther King Jr. by Brad Meltzer
Part of the Ordinary People Change the World series, this book’s cartoon-style illustrations and approachable format make it a favorite for kindergarteners. It focuses on Dr. King’s bravery and determination to fight for equality.
After reading, try the fair vs. unfair sorting activity to help kids apply the ideas of fairness and kindness they’ve just learned about.
3. Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
This beautifully illustrated book weaves together Dr. King’s quotes with a simple narrative about his life. It’s great for read-aloud sessions, and the focus on Dr. King’s words ties perfectly with the courage quote tracing and coloring page in my free printable pack.
4. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Johnny Ray Moore
This board book simplifies Dr. King’s life for younger readers, making it ideal for kindergarteners. Pair it with the MLK K-1 reader from my printable pack for additional tracing and coloring activities that reinforce what your child has learned in the story.
5. A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler
This book provides a clear and simple overview of Dr. King’s life, from his childhood to his leadership in the civil rights movement. It pairs beautifully with the timeline activity in the printable pack, allowing kids to sequence events they’ve just read about.
Using these books alongside my free printable worksheets for kindergarten creates a well-rounded learning experience that’s both meaningful and fun for young learners. Grab your copy of the printables, pick up one of these books, and get ready to teach your child about Dr. King’s legacy in a way they’ll never forget!
Wrapping Up
Creating this Martin Luther King Jr. & the Civil Rights Unit Study was a labor of love for me. I wanted something that didn’t just check the box for teaching history, but something that truly connects kids with the values Dr. King stood for—fairness, courage, and the belief that we can all make the world a better place.
As a homeschool mom, I know how overwhelming it can feel to teach big topics like this. I wanted to make it easier for other parents and teachers, whether you’re working with one curious kindergartener or a room full of 5th grade students. These activities aren’t just about learning facts—they’re about sparking conversations, planting seeds of understanding, and encouraging kids to dream boldly, just like Dr. King did.
I hope this unit brings as much meaning to your family or classroom as it has to mine. Watching my son reflect on fairness, practice kindness, and learn about the power of standing up for what’s right is one of the most rewarding parts of our homeschooling journey. If this study inspires your kids even a little, then it’s done its job. Thanks for joining me in teaching the lessons that matter most. 💛
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