Free Educational Printables And Resources For Black History Month

Jan. 17, 2026, 10:36 a.m.

Tags: history month nero

Black History Month offers numerous opportunities for educational engagement through free printable activities and resources. These materials provide accessible ways for parents, educators, and individuals to explore the rich heritage and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. From coloring pages and puzzles to reading passages and historical timelines, a variety of free printables are available to support learning during February and beyond. These resources are designed to be both educational and interactive, making history accessible and engaging for students of different grade levels.

Many of these printables focus on influential figures, including leaders, inventors, and artists, helping to highlight their significant impacts. For example, resources may feature profiles of historical icons such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, as well as lesser-known innovators like Marie Van Brittan Brown and Sarah E. Goode. Activities often include word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring sheets, and craft projects that reinforce learning through hands-on participation. Additionally, some resources offer specialized content, such as reading passages for Google Classroom or timeline cut-and-paste activities, catering to various educational needs and settings.

The availability of these free materials supports a comprehensive approach to Black History Month education, allowing for both structured classroom use and casual home learning. By utilizing these printables, individuals can foster a deeper understanding of African American history and culture in an interactive and respectful manner.

Types of Free Printable Activities

Free printable activities for Black History Month span a wide range of formats and educational focuses. These materials are typically designed for elementary to middle school students, with some resources suitable for broader age groups.

Coloring Pages

Coloring pages are a popular and accessible way to introduce historical figures and themes. Many sets feature influential Black leaders, inventors, and activists, often accompanied by names, quotes, or brief descriptions. For instance, a 13-page coloring set includes leaders in literature, science, and activism, with each page providing a detailed illustration, the individual’s name, and an inspiring quote. Another set focuses specifically on Black inventors, featuring 10 individuals such as Marie Van Brittan Brown, Sarah E. Goode, Henry Blair, and Granville Woods. These coloring pages are aimed at lower elementary grades and serve as an educational tool to teach about innovators and their contributions.

Additional coloring resources may include general Black History Month themes, inspirational quotes, and even Black Lives Matter themes, offering a diverse range of visual content for educational purposes.

Word Games and Puzzles

Word games and puzzles provide an interactive way to reinforce learning about key historical figures and events. Common formats include word searches, crosswords, and word scrambles.

Word Searches: A free word search printable is available for upper elementary and middle school students, enhancing learning through vocabulary reinforcement.
Crossword Puzzles: The Martin Luther King Jr. crossword puzzle helps kids learn about MLK’s life and legacy through clues related to civil rights concepts like justice, equality, and nonviolence.
Word Scrambles: Black History Month word scramble games often feature two versions for different age groups, focusing on unscrambling names of influential African Americans.

Reading Passages and Biographies

Reading passages offer more in-depth exploration of historical figures. A sample of revised Black History Month reading passages includes 18 passages covering individuals such as Alvin Ailey, Maya Angelou, Benjamin Banneker, Simone Biles, Guion Bluford, Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, Alice Coachman, Mae Jemison, and Michael Jordan. These passages are often available for use in digital platforms like Google Classroom.

Short biographies are also available for figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., providing concise overviews suitable for elementary and middle school students.

Crafts and Interactive Projects

Hands-on activities like crafts and cut-and-paste projects engage students in creative learning. A free mini Black History Month pack includes over 30 pages of activities, such as vocabulary cards, pattern and matching cards, puzzles, and writing pages focused on six notable African Americans: Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Bessie Coleman, Lyda D. Newman, and Harriet Tubman.

Another resource offers a timeline cut-and-paste freebie, allowing students to visually organize historical events and figures. Additionally, an engineering project inspired by mathematician Evelyn Boyd Granville guides students in building a model satellite, blending history with STEM learning.

Bookmarks and Other Printables

Additional printables include educational tools like bookmarks. Free printable Black History Month bookmarks celebrate six inspiring African American leaders, featuring names, notable achievements, and illustrations for coloring. These serve as both a creative activity and a reading encouragement tool.

Ruby Bridges activity packs include handwriting, notebooking pages, drawing and writing prompts, biography pages, Venn diagrams, alphabetical order exercises, and coloring pages, offering a comprehensive set of materials for studying this important figure.

Educational Themes and Figures Covered

The printables cover a broad spectrum of themes and individuals central to African American history. Commonly featured figures include:

Civil Rights Leaders: Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman.
Inventors and Innovators: Marie Van Brittan Brown, Sarah E. Goode, Henry Blair, Granville Woods, George Washington Carver, Garrett Morgan, Alexander Miles, Alfred L. Gralle, Sarah Breedlove Walker (Madam C.J. Walker), Dr. Patricia Bath, Elijah McCoy, Lewis Latimer, Jan Ernst Matzeliger, Lyda D. Newman.
Trailblazing Women: Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History highlights 40 women.
Contemporary Figures: Barack Obama, Maya Angelou, Simone Biles, Mae Jemison, Michael Jordan.
Historical and Cultural Themes: The ABCs of Black History offers a poetic journey from A to Z, covering key figures, moments, and concepts.

Themes often extend to arts and culture, with some resources aligning with the Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” which explores contributions to jazz, Afrofuturism, and other artistic movements.

Sources and Availability

Many of these printables are hosted on educational websites and platforms catering to parents, teachers, and homeschoolers. For example, the site “homeschoolof1.com” offers a variety of free printables, including coloring pages, word games, and activity packs. The platform “teacherspayteachers.com” provides a marketplace where educators share free resources, such as reading passages and timeline activities.

MIT also contributes to Black History Month education by offering free and low-cost resources, including materials related to visual art, hip hop music, and Dungeons & Dragons campaigns that explore African American history and culture. These resources provide broader context and learning opportunities beyond traditional printables.

Conclusion

Free printable activities for Black History Month provide valuable educational resources for engaging with African American history and culture. Through coloring pages, puzzles, reading passages, and interactive projects, individuals can explore the contributions of influential figures and key historical events. These materials are widely available online, offering accessible tools for classrooms, homeschool settings, and home learning. By utilizing these printables, educators and parents can foster a deeper and more interactive understanding of Black history during February and throughout the year.