Kids are full of great ideas some we can put into play immediately some need extra nurturing. With MLK Day next Monday we’ve been talking a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy. My son is old enough to understand segregation and the civil rights movement but with my 3 year old I am focusing more on how everyone can help and make a difference. Before we sat down to create this craft we talked about the world and how there are so many wonderful things in it but that the world also needs help. I encouraged each of them to think about what matters most to their hearts. I added on how real change comes with passion and passion is about more than thinking something is important, it’s about feeling in your heart that something must be done and acting on it. Dr. King’s life can teach so many lessons and the lesson that one person can make a difference is what this is all about.
Gather your materials. You will need 2 sheets of paper per child, blue and green paint, red glitter glue, a pencil, marker, and scissors. 
Start by painting your world. I prefer to have them paint on a sheet of paper and cut later because they will fill more of the paper that way without any ” Are you sure you are done?” interruptions. This helps them paint at their own speed. My daughter went for it while my son was trying to make specific continents and oceans. Let dry.
Next have them trace their hands. PLEASE let them do this if they are eager. My daughter was sure she could do it and she did first with a big circle and then between her fingers. This whole activity is about empowering them to make a difference and we need to start small by empowering them to do things themselves. 
Have them write how they will change the world. I had my daughter dictate to me but drawing a picture would work too. My son wrote his own. Praise them for their suggestions and ask what made them think of the causes or actions that they chose. Don’t leave it there though ask them how they are going to try to make a difference with actions too. 
My daughter did ask me to cut it out though, her brother who has always struggled with tricky cutting like this did his all by himself.
I am loving all this independence ! 
While they did this I cut the paintings into circles. 
Glue the hand on to the world.
Add a glitter heart. My daughter asked me to make the heart and she filled it in. 
Let dry. We hung ours up on our fridge as a reminder to do something towards these goals. I am encouraging sharing toys at home and school for my daughter and we are donating some supplies ( kinda toys) to a local shelter soon. For my son I am encouraging what he came up with which was picking up litter, using less water , and re-using paper around the house. 
Little steps but they add up!
Laila (@OnlyLaila) says
Love this craft! I think grown ups would benefit from this as well! Thanks for sharing.
Brooke says
I really like how you changed the focus from just learning about Martin Luther King Jr. to encouraging his desire to make the world a better place as something tangible that our children can accomplish too.
nihal baysal koçer says
Bizim ülkemizde kutlanmıyor ama martin luther king in hayatı ve sözleri çok değerli. Çocuklarımın onu tanımasını istiyorum. Bu etkinliği uygulamak isterim
Türkiye den sevgiler
Kari says
I did this with my 6 year old and 3 year old boys this morning. It was a simple, easy project that engaged them and taught a wonderful concept. Thank you! :0)
Kari says
I want to add that my 6 year old said he would “Feed people who didn’t have any food” and my 3 year old said he would “Save people with his fire truck”. <3
Jaime says
What kind of paint are you using? I am a children’s librarian and am finding, with craft time, that using normal paint and brush is more mess than it’s worth. These roll-ons are intriguing!
Allison McDonald says
Amazon affiliate link —->
Pepperell 2.2-Ounce Rollitt Paint, Bright
They are OK – they don’t cover 100% but for the use you are looking for they would be great!Debbie Brown says
I teach kindergarten. I have my children trace their handprints on construction paper. I use the rainbow colors and then cut them out. Each child then dictates how he would like to change the world or make the world better and I record the suggestions on his/her handprint. I then link the handprints together and mount them on a world map in the shape of a semicircle, so that it looks like the hands are circling the world. I add the caption JOIN HANDS IN PEACE.
Mary says
I’m using this and your Multicultural Paper Dolls in the MLK program I’m doing at my public library next month. Thanks for all of your creative ideas.