Kid-Friendly Virtual Museum Exhibits and Activities for Black History Month
From Alvin Ailey on tour to your local library branch, explore Black culture with your kids in February (and beyond) with these exhibits and activities. Have an Encanto or Doc McStuffins fan? Tune into NMAAHC Kids' celebration of Black children's movie and TV characters. With many museums hosting a mix of in-person and virtual events, you can find something to fit your child's age and interests from institutions across the country.
Portraits of African Americans from the National Portrait Gallery Collection
The National Portrait Gallery has more than 1,000 portraits of African Americans who have made history; in this virtual exhibit you can see portraits of and read about a selection throughout history and into contemporary times, from Sojourner Truth to the Obamas. It includes portraits of historical and political figures as well as musicians, artists, athletes, and more.
Join librarians across the five boroughs for classes throughout the month. Brooklyn Public Library is celebrating with Conrad Warren playing Jazz, Calypso and Reggae or theatrical production inspired by the book She Persisted.
This Black History Month, NMAAHC Kids is celebrating Black children’s movie and TV characters! Each one-hour online event will celebrate a different kid-favorite character through conversation with experts along with hands-on art, and science activities.
Celebrate Antonio in Encanto by learning from Black veterinarian Dr. Lauren Davidson, meet an ice skater (and try your hand at an ice experiment) in celebration of Frozone from the Incredibles. Doctor Maia McCuiston will teach children about her job as a pediatrician to celebrate Doc McStuffins, and Chef Scotty Scott will talk about his love of cooking to honor Princess Tana from The Princess and the Frog.
Black History, Black Futures on Google Arts & Culture
Explore this incredibly wide and deep collection of exhibits from around the country with your kids, following their interests. There’s something for everyone, including history, art, pop culture, music, theater, food, and even comic books.
Chicago Library's African American History Month Celebration
Learn how to create box braids in your child's hair at the Douglass Branch, join a virtual Jeopardy-style trivia game with Black By Popular Demand online, celebrate Hidden History with a four-week series exploring African American women in STEM, or get crafty with DIY Printing using West African writing systems at the Legler Regional Branch.
Sports: Leveling the Playing Field at the National Museum of African American History & Culture
Young athletes will love exploring this virtual exhibit about the lives and contributions of Black athletes in sports but also activism, politics, and culture. There are videos including a chat with the curator, images of exhibition objects such as the “Shaq Attack sneaker” and Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s track shoes, and a slideshow that highlights nine Black athletes throughout American history.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater hits the road in 2023 with stops in Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Older kids will be captivated by their wildly popular Revelations.
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Two Jazz exhibits, Detroit Jazz: The Legacy Continues and Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs celebrate the legacy of the singers, musicians, and artists who created the sounds of American music.
Los Angeles Public Library African American History Month
The LA library has curated kids' books and audiobooks highlighting Black Stories along with playlists, documentaries and podcasts. Explore the catalogue with your child to check out or listen online.
