Juneteenth is an annual celebration marking the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, freeing more than 250,000 enslaved people. Juneteenth is not only a day of celebration, but also a time for reflection and education on how we can work to end racial injustice!
We can all become advocates by starting that work from within our homes. Talking with our families about the meaning of Juneteenth, learning about Black inventors, artists, writers, and musicians, and incorporating meals created by famous Black chefs are all ways we can learn and grow together.
This Juneteenth, join us in honoring and celebrating the many ways Black people and their culture have positively impacted our history and daily lives. Read a book with your little ones, engage in a craft activity or prepare a meal rooted in the history of Juneteenth.
Here’s a list of family-friendly Juneteenth activities, books and sites for you to reference.
Read Together as a family
These age-appropriate picture books are a great way to introduce Juneteenth to your little ones. After reading together, have a conversation about what you learned:
- Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
- Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
- All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Family-friendly educational activities
Participate in activities that revolve around the history of Juneteenth. Use this time together to discuss the importance of the holiday and take a moment to pause and reflect:
Create a flag: Make a cardboard Juneteenth Flag like this one from Crafting a Fun Life. This banner with a bursting star in the middle symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States. For a sensory craft, try this button flag craft by Happy Toddler Playtime.
Visit an online museum: Visit the Black Inventor Online Museum to learn about historical accomplishments that wouldn’t have been possible without freedom. Discover inventors who created products or devices that have improved our daily lives!
Cook and share a meal: Celebrating over a meal is a Juneteenth tradition. It also creates time to learn about the history and meaning behind different foods while trying new recipes from Black chefs and content creators. Here are a few of our favorites:
Soul Rolls by Erika Harrison of Black Girls Who Brunch
The Ultimate Vegan Mac & Cheese by Shanika Graham-White of Orchids & Sweet Tea
Honey & Buttermilk Cornbread by Rachel Whitfield of Chef Curl Ardee
Red foods, including red velvet cake, are symbolic on Juneteenth as a reminder of those who lost their lives during slavery.
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Another way to celebrate is by supporting Black-owned businesses online and in your local community on Juneteenth and beyond. Here are a few resources to help locate Black-owned businesses:
Use the EatOkra app to find Black-owned restaurants near you!
Shop for products and household items from independent sellers on We Buy Black.
Shop small and support Black artists and creators, including these sellers on Etsy.
We always love hearing from our community and learning from one another. If there's a resource or activity you find helpful, please share it with us in the comments!
For further reading, check out this Q&A with Black creators in our community about what Juneteenth means to them, as well as how they speak to their kids about the holiday.
