Martin Luther King, Jr events for families in and around Washington, DC

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do… you have to keep moving forward.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The National Museum of African American History & Culture has a great resource complete with activities for children and families to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he stood for. It also includes talking points to start a conversation with kids about racism and activism.

We encourage you to volunteer with your family in whatever capacity fits your needs as we celebrate the legacy and life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Visit: Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library. After a recent library renovation, you’ll be amazed you are in a library; complete with a recording studio, dance studio, an indoor slide and a rooftop terrace.

Children’s books about Martin Luther King, Jr. and marches:
Let the Children March
Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sometimes People March
I am Martin Luther King, Jr

All weekend

Rock Creek Park, in partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy will host the 12th annual MLK Weekend of Service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of community action. With service events planned at Rock Creek Park and throughout the Rock Creek watershed, we invite our neighbors to join us and help their communities by picking up litter and removing invasive species from our beloved public green spaces!  Service events will take place Saturday, Jan. 15, through Monday, Jan. 17, with several opportunities for community members to get involved throughout the watershed. 

Join visiting artist, Sarah Matthews, and learn how to create your own stamps to design and print uplifting posters to hang in your community at MLK Days at Anne Marie Sculpture Garden. Make two posters: one to leave at the Garden and one to hang in your favorite gathering spot.  This project is inspired by Dr. King’s quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” This event is free but RESERVATIONS REQUIRED; masks required; activity stations will be socially distanced. 

Sunday

10:00am-3:00pm: FUTURES We Dream Family Day
Calling all young FUTURES agents: do-gooders, plant lovers, tree huggers, citizen scientists, activists, advocates, creators and makers. Help us celebrate the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream with a day full of hope, justice seeking and collaboration. Learn about the Smithsonian’s 175 years of changemaking and reckoning with our history on the SI Story wall. Join family-friendly guided tours exploring social justice and more equitable futures at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. Take inspiration from Dr. King’s speeches and many other future thinkers to craft your inspirational messages for the future you dream in drop-in workshops at 11:00 am and 1:00pm. Pop in for hands-on activities for our youngest future makers throughout the day. Celebrate your voice, and speak out for your dream.

Monday

DC Public Library events
From an Advocate Speech Contest, Essay & Poetry, Word Searches and more at various libraries.

Come experience the National Parks for free on January 17! National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

9:30am: MLK Jr Peace Walk
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Peace Walk is held annually on the federal MLK holiday. The Peace Walk is coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and non-profits dedicated to peace and positivity for the Washington DC metropolitan communities. Over a thousand ‘Peace Walkers’ join annually in the two-mile walk along MLK Ave in Southeast DC. Notable previous year attendees include Nick Cannon, Mayor Muriel Bowser, former Mayor and Current Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray, radio personality Donnie Simpson, music virtuoso Blake Miles Hopkins, and the late civil rights legend Dick Gregory who spoke at the beginning and end of our 2014 Peace Walk.

10:00am-1:00pm: Clean Waterways Cleanup: MLK Day of Service 2022
This collaborative event celebrates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the memory of Joseph Glover, Founder, and Chair of Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance. 9:30 AM Registration, 10:00 AM Welcome and safety talk, 10:30 AM – 1:00PM Cleanup. All equipment is provided, please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Rain or Shine. All supplies provided. 

10:00am: Virtual MLK Dare to Dream Day
Join in a free celebration honoring one of history’s greatest visionaries. Now accepting submissions for the Open Mic and Poetry Slam. Videos to be shown on AVAM social media.

12:00pm: 49th Annual MLK Jr Day Virtual Celebration
A virtual interactive event will be added to the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. This event will be hosted by Harmony’s African American Legacy Organization (HALO), which was founded by a quartet of African American singers, who broke ground as the first quartet of African American singers to compete on the international contest stage of any of the major barbershop organizations. The organization utilizes singing and the active listening experience of barbershop music as a framework for conversations concerning socio-political issues like racial equity. Programming is developed by artistic directors that include a Board-Certified Musical Therapist and a Board-Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker. As part of this event, The Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Award will be presented by the Human Rights Commission to a student at a Rockville high school who has worked to fulfill King’s dream in either their school or the community. Rockville’s Channel 11 will air a video recap of past MLK events (details on how to tune in are forthcoming).

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.