Exciting Ways I’m Teaching My Kids About Juneteenth
As a Black mom, I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to go beyond what schools teach during Black History Month. While I’ll never discredit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s incredible legacy — and he’ll always be one of the greatest changemakers in American history — Black history is so much more than a speech, a march, or a dream. That’s why this year, I’m being intentional about teaching kids about Juneteenth — in ways that are fun, age-appropriate, and rooted in pride.
Because let’s be honest: most schools barely scratch the surface, but in our family, we believe in telling the full story. And if we don’t tell the full story, who will?
Methods of Teaching Kids about Juneteenth
What Is Juneteenth? (In Kid-Friendly Terms)
When I explained Juneteenth to my son, I kept it simple but powerful:
“Juneteenth is the day in 1865 when the last group of enslaved Black people in Texas were finally told they were free — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a celebration of freedom, joy, and Black excellence.”
According to PBS Kids, Juneteenth represents a turning point for our nation, and it is an opportunity for families of all racial and ethnic heritages to acknowledge and honor Black American history. Check them out for a more detailed look into the significance of the holiday.
My son and I talked about how Juneteenth is a celebration of not just our freedom, but also our strength, culture, and resilience. I emphasized that we don’t just learn about it — we live it.
Why It’s So Important to Me
I know from experience that teaching kids about Juneteenth goes beyond just one holiday. It’s about:
- Filling in the gaps the school system leaves out
- Honoring our ancestors with truth, not sugarcoated history
- Letting our kids see themselves in stories of power, not just pain
- Making freedom and culture something to celebrate, not hide
If we want our children to grow up rooted, informed, and unapologetically proud, Juneteenth is where we start.
Exciting Ways I’m Teaching My Kid About Juneteenth
You don’t need a lesson plan. Just start where you are.
Here’s what we’re doing this year that’s fun, interactive, and memorable:
1. Juneteenth Storytime + Reflection
Check out Little Free Library for a variety of Read in Color book recommendations.
- A few age-appropriate book suggestions include:
- “Juneteenth for Mazie” by Floyd Cooper
- “The Juneteenth Story” by Alliah Agostini
- “Freedom Day: A Juneteenth Story” by Kim Taylor
Then, talk about them:
- What was fair?
- What was unfair?
- How do we show freedom matters today?
💡 Pro Tip: Let them draw their version of “freedom” — you’ll be amazed.
2. Cooking a Freedom Meal Together
This year, we’re cooking typical cookout foods — a tradition that people usually use to celebrate the 4th of July, but reclaiming it for ourselves. While Juneteenth was traditionally a region-specific holiday, it still more closely aligns with our culture than the 4th (although we celebrate that too because African Americans are the most American demographic with how long we’ve been here).
Our picks:
🫘 Baked beans
🌭 Ribs and beef hot dogs (Damon’s favorites)
🥗 Pasta salad
While cooking, I share how enslaved people used food to preserve culture even when freedom was denied.
3. Family Freedom Project
Consider starting a scrapbook page titled:
“What Freedom Looks Like in Our Family”
Have your kids adds pictures, drawings, or magazine cutouts of:
- Being safe
- Laughing with cousins
- Mom and Dad working (if you can get pictures)
- Playing outside without fear
It’s personal. It’s powerful. And it makes Juneteenth real.
4. Support Black-Owned Businesses as a Family
Pick one small business to support every Juneteenth weekend — and talk about why economic freedom matters.
Whether it’s buying a book, a toy, or even a sweet treat — the conversation is what counts.
5. Celebration + Conversation
Dance to cookout music, wear red, and talk about how far we’ve come — and how much work still lies ahead.
I want my son to feel Black joy, not just learn about Black struggle.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect — It Just Has to Be Intentional
You don’t need a Juneteenth curriculum.
You just need the willingness to tell the truth, celebrate boldly, and guide your child with love.
Whether you’re reading books, sharing stories from your own family, or just watching a short video and talking about it, teaching kids about Juneteenth is something every parent can do — especially those of us raising the next generation of Black excellence.
📌 What I Want Other Moms to Know
If we wait for the schools to do it, it won’t happen.
If we wait for textbooks to get it right, our kids will be grown.
Teaching kids about Juneteenth starts at home.
And we are more than capable of teaching them the truth with pride, power, and joy.
