Celebrate the day with young children by making this beautiful Martin Luther King Jr. kids art. Perfect way to talk about the many colors of the world!
I made this Martin Luther King Day Kids Art project years ago and it has since become one of my most popular posts. Educators and parents around the world have sent me all the beautiful and unique ways they’ve incorporated this project into their teaching.
I firmly believe in the importance of teaching children about racism and the fight for equality from an early age. Being anti-racist is a conscious decision we must make and share with our littles.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]Other Martin Luther King Jr. Day Resources
My methodology on how I teach my kids about Martin Luther King Jr. Day has changed in the 7 years since originally publishing this tutorial. I’ve learned from a number of different resources how to approach the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a way that doesn’t water-down or minimize his message and the significance to today.
I’m still listening and learning.
I hope you find these resources as helpful as I did:
- Teaching Tolerance
- MORE THAN: Martin Luther King Jr: More Than Just a Dream
- Teaching Hard History Podcast
- Woke Homeschooling
I had the idea for this Martin Luther King Jr Kids Art project years ago (shesh, where does 11 years go?!) but didn’t have the right supplies and quite frankly, my kiddos were way too little to make this an appropriate craft for them.
When my kids were older and had a little more hand control, I revisted the project. Thought I would offer it here in case anyone else wants to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. art for their window too!
Here’s another way to make this project with smaller children!
Supplies
Materials:
- Cricut Cutting Machine
- Crayons (here’s a bulk case without wrappers for large groups!)
- Pencil sharpener (this Electric Crayon Sharpener would be so easy!)
- Wax paper
- Black Permanent Vinyl
- “Martin Luther King Jr. Kids Art” stencil (download below)
Tutorial
1. Use pencil sharpeners to make crayon shavings.
We have made this Martin Luther King Jr. kids art several times over the last 10 years. Now that the boys are older we have had detail conversations about how beautiful the colors are by themselves and when melted together.
2. Spread the crayon shavings between two wax paper sheets. Try to spread them out more than we did for more of a stained glass effect. With your iron set on low, melt the crayon shavings in between the wax paper. Press down and lift the iron straight up. Don’t slide the iron or you’ll have a purple/brownish mess!
3. Cut “Dream” stencil out of vinyl with your Cricut Cutting Machine or with an TrueControl Knife. I made sure to keep the design really simple in case you were doing it by hand!
4. Affix the stencil to the wax paper. I found this to be easiest when I started from the bottom, pulling the backing away an inch at a time while smoothing the vinyl down.
5. Trim away the excess wax paper and use a small piece of tape to attach to a window for everyone to enjoy! Hope you and your family enjoyed making this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day kids art!
Comments & Reviews
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
You really do make the coolest things! I love this!
bumblev says
Awh, thanks, Jessica!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
This is so creative, Vanessa! So many possibilities for the types of projects you can do using this same method…I’ll have to try it. And I love that MLK Jr. gets a little a shoutout in blogland amidst the plethora of Valentine’s Day crafts. Brava!
-Lauren
bumblev says
That’s true, Lauren. It really is just a fancied up version of a classic kid’s craft!
Inspire Me Heather says
Your window art looks great and what a perfect project to make with the kids!
bumblev says
Thanks, Heather! Although I must admit, my kids were more interested in throwing the crayon shavings everywhere then they were in making art. 😀
Laura Beth says
What a cool technique! Absolutely beautiful :o)
bumblev says
Thanks, Laura!
Jacque says
WOW what a great idea, and this is so pretty!
bumblev says
Thanks, I think I like it more than my kids do! 😀
Kelli says
I love this! Am I missing the link for the pdf stencil? I can’t seem to find it on there. Thanks a ton for this!
bumblev says
Oops! I’ve edited the post to add the stencil links to the materials list. Thanks!
Donna says
This is awesome! I just shared on our facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/iheartkids
Check us out and join us as a guest blogger! Happy day to you!
Rev. Erica Smith-Ingram says
Good Evening:
May we have permission to use your picture of Martin Luther King, Jr., for our camp t-shirts? Your consideration is greatly appreciated!
Vanessa Brady says
Absolutely! I’d love to see a picture of how they turn out if you get a chance. 🙂
Jamie Fields says
I swear I opened the file the other day, no none of the template links will open! ?! Anyway you could email it to me? Doesn’t hurt to ask? Thanks!!
Jamie Fields says
I got it!!!! Yes! So excited love this lesson idea. Thank You!
Vanessa Brady says
So glad it worked!
Nellie Maldonado says
Really want to try this. What is contact paper used for. I re-read the directions and was wondering if contact paper is used in place of vinyl or with vinyl. I have never used either material. Please also clarify if the two sheets of wax paper stay stuck together..I assume they would need to after melting crayon shaving. I appreciate your help.
Sheila says
Any chance you have another svg? Not working with Cricut.
Thanks so much!
Love your project and wanted to try.
dara says
I just stumbled upon your window art project and we love it! Planning to use for an award my daughter is giving a fellow class mate at school. I have a question. Did you run the contact paper through the printer? I’m feeling unsure about this one step…printing the stencil and cutting it out. I don’t have any special cutting machine. Just a regular household printer and an exacto knife!
Thanks for any info you can provide!
Dara