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Celebrate Black History Month with Under 5s: A Guide For Parents & Practitioners

Celebrate Black History Month with Under 5s

October marks Black History Month in the UK, a time to celebrate culture, history, and achievements while encouraging inclusion from the earliest years.


For under 5s, it’s not about dates and history lessons — it’s about meaningful, playful experiences that introduce diversity in ways they can understand.


Here are some simple, hands-on activities parents can set up at home to celebrate Black History Month with under 5s.

 

1. Storytime with Diverse Voices

Choose picture books that feature Black characters or are written by Black authors. Click here for our favourites!


Preschoolers

2. Music and Rhythm Play

Set up a mini “music corner” at home with simple instruments — shakers, drums, or even pots and wooden spoons. Play music from different cultures. Invite your child to copy rhythms, clap along, or dance freely.


Click here for inspiration.


3. African-Inspired Art Activities

Children love bold colours and textures. Try easy crafts like:


  • Kente Cloth Collage: Provide strips of paper in bright colours and show your child how to weave them in and out.

  • Adinkra Stamps: Cut shapes into sponges or potatoes and use them for stamping with paint, inspired by West African Adinkra symbols.

  • Bead Play: Offer large wooden beads for threading — great for fine motor skills.


African-Inspired Art Activities

4. Everyday Heroes Role Play

Introduce your child to inspiring Black role models through play. For example, set up a “mini space station” after reading about Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space.


Click here to read our blog: 5 Influential Black Men and Women Who Shaped Britain.


5. Cooking Together

Food is such a rich way to explore culture. Try simple child-friendly recipes, like making plantain chips together, stirring jollof rice, or tasting tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple.


Turn it into a “taste test” — cut small pieces of fruit and let your child describe the colours, textures, and flavours.


Click here to check out Global Kitchen Travels' 50 recipes from around the world.


Click here to check out Ade and Ayo's African Recipes for little ones.


Children cooking with carer

Why These Little Steps Matter

For under 5s, it’s not about memorising historical facts — it’s about nurturing empathy, curiosity, and respect. By weaving diversity into books, play, music, art and food parents show children that every culture is amazing and can be appreciated.


Black History Month is a wonderful focus, but these activities can and should continue all year round. After all, inclusion is most powerful when it becomes part of everyday family life!


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