At Fusion Muse, we believe every child should learn about freedom, fairness, and the people who helped shape a more just world. Juneteenth is not only a moment in history, but also a powerful reminder of resilience, progress, and the importance of continuing the work for equity.
This guide is designed to help parents and teachers introduce Juneteenth in a way that is age-appropriate, inclusive, and engaging. Through thoughtful conversations, hands-on activities, music, and storytelling, you can create meaningful learning moments that celebrate both the past and the future.
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally recognized celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The name comes from the combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” marking the date in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and finally told enslaved people they were free.
Even though President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, on January 1, 1863, it wasn’t enforced everywhere. In Texas, slavery continued long after it was supposed to end. When General Gordon Granger and his troops delivered the news on June 19, 1865, about 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were finally freed.
This moment became symbolic of delayed justice- and also of the joy, strength, and culture of the African American community. Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, but it has been celebrated for generations through family gatherings, food, prayer, music, and education.
Key points for kids:
- Juneteenth is a day when many people in the United States celebrate the end of slavery.
- It happened after the Civil War, when the last group of enslaved people finally heard they were free.
- It’s a day for learning, remembering, and celebrating the strength and courage of Black Americans.
Why Do We Celebrate Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is about more than freedom. It is a celebration of survival, creativity, and the continued pursuit of justice. Families and communities honor their ancestors, reflect on the past, and look ahead to the future.
It is also an opportunity to recognize how much work is still needed to ensure fairness, safety, and equality for all people. Talking about Juneteenth with children is a chance to encourage kindness, empathy, and awareness.
Core themes to teach:
- Freedom: Juneteenth celebrates when the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free.
- Resilience: Despite oppression, Black Americans created powerful cultures, stories, and traditions.
- Justice: The fight for equality didn’t end with slavery. Juneteenth helps us understand the importance of civil rights and social change.
- Joy: Juneteenth is also a time of celebration. Music, food, dancing, and storytelling are all part of the holiday.
How to Talk to Kids About Juneteenth
Having meaningful conversations about race, history, and justice can feel overwhelming. But children are naturally curious and compassionate, and they are capable of understanding more than we sometimes expect- especially when we meet them with honesty and creativity.
Here are some age-appropriate ways to approach the topic with children:
Keep it simple and truthful
Use clear language. Younger kids can understand ideas like fairness, kindness, and standing up for what’s right. Instead of avoiding difficult topics, explain them gently. For example: “A long time ago, some people were treated unfairly because of the color of their skin. They were made to work without pay, and they didn’t get to make their own choices. That was wrong. Juneteenth is the day we celebrate that they finally got their freedom.”
Use books, stories, and art
Storytelling helps children connect emotionally. Books like Juneteenth for Mazie or All Different Now help put history into perspective. Drawing, painting, or building a flag or bracelet can turn big ideas into something tangible and creative.
Focus on values
Talk about what freedom means, how we treat people with kindness, and why it’s important to stand up for what’s right. Questions like “What would you do if you saw someone being treated unfairly?” or “What makes you feel proud of your culture or family?” open the door for deeper discussion.
Encourage empathy and curiosity
Let kids ask questions, and answer honestly. If you don’t know something, explore it together. Show that learning history is something we do as a family, a classroom, and a community.
Activities and Crafts to Celebrate Juneteenth With Kids
Making Juneteenth feel real and relevant for children often starts with what they love most — stories, hands-on projects, music, and movement. Here are meaningful and fun ways families and classrooms can celebrate Juneteenth together.
These activities are designed to be simple and adaptable, whether you’re a parent looking for a weekend project or a teacher planning a classroom lesson.
1. Read Together: Juneteenth Storytime
Books are one of the most powerful ways to help kids understand big ideas. Choose books that center Black voices, family traditions, and age-appropriate historical context.
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor
Pair storytime with discussion. Ask questions like, “How do you think Mazie felt?” or “Why do you think people celebrate freedom?”
2. Make a Juneteenth Unity Bracelet
This craft is a creative way to talk about unity, diversity, and freedom. Each color of the bracelet represents something meaningful.
Supplies:
- Red, black, green, and yellow beads
- Elastic string or yarn
Color meanings (simplified for kids):
- Red: strength and the bloodline of African heritage
- Black: identity, pride, and resilience
- Green: growth and hope
- Yellow or gold: joy and celebration
Instructions:
- Talk about what each color means.
- Let each child create a bracelet that tells their own story of what freedom means.
- Invite kids to share the meaning behind their bracelet.
3. Create a Juneteenth Flag
The official Juneteenth flag is rich with symbolism. It uses red, white, and blue to remind us that formerly enslaved people and their descendants are American citizens. The bursting star represents a new beginning.
Make your own version:
- Draw or print the flag and color it together.
- Design a personal flag with symbols of freedom and pride.
- Hang flags around the classroom or home to decorate for Juneteenth.
4. Juneteenth Coloring Pages and Art Prompts
Kids love to draw what they’re learning. A few ideas:
- Draw what freedom looks like to you.
- Color a picture of Mazie from the book.
- Create a collage using magazine cutouts and the words “freedom,” “justice,” “joy,” and “together.”
5. Host a Juneteenth Puppet Show or Skit
This is where Fusion Muse shines. Bring the message to life with puppets or role play. Let the kids help write a simple script based on what they’ve learned.
Ideas:
- Reenact the moment when the news of freedom reached Texas.
- Have puppets explain Juneteenth in their own voices.
- Create a freedom celebration scene with music, dancing, and storytelling.
This can be recorded and shared as a classroom project or family keepsake.
6. Sing a Song: “Juneteenth: Let the Freedom Sing”
Music helps kids connect emotionally, and a powerful song can make a history lesson come alive. Singing about Juneteenth is a way to honor the past, uplift the present, and inspire young learners to carry the message of freedom and justice into the future.
“Juneteenth: Let the Freedom Sing” is an original classroom-friendly song that explores the meaning of Juneteenth through poetry, rhythm, and hope. It’s ideal for school programs, morning circles, or at-home celebrations.
Use it as a sing-along, add percussion instruments or clapping patterns, or adapt it into a classroom skit or puppet show.
Verse 1
Let me tell you ’bout a day so grand
Freedom touched this very land
June nineteenth
A story untold
Hearts unchained
Breaking the mold
Chorus
Juneteenth
Let the freedom sing
Hands held high
Let the joy take wing
We learn
We grow
Together we shine
Celebrate the day
It’s yours and mine
Verse 2
Long ago
A message came late
But freedom doesn’t wait for fate
Texas heard
And the chains fell down
Voices rose in every town
Chorus
Juneteenth
Let the freedom sing
Hands held high
Let the joy take wing
We learn
We grow
Together we shine
Celebrate the day
It’s yours and mine
Bridge
Unity’s the rhythm
Love’s the beat
Every step forward
A victory sweet
We remember the past
But we aim so high
Dreams like stars
Lighting up the sky
Verse 3
Kids today
You’re the future bright
Carry the torch
Keep the flame alight
Respect and kindness
Let them lead
Plant the seeds
Of every good deed
Ideas for Using This Song:
- Teach one verse per day leading up to Juneteenth
- Have students create hand motions or signs to go with the chorus
- Assign solo lines or group harmonies for classroom performances
- Pair the song with a puppet skit about freedom or a unity bracelet craft
Frequently Asked Questions About Juneteenth for Kids
What are some classroom activities for Juneteenth?
Classroom-friendly activities include:
- Reading and discussing picture books
- Making a freedom flag or unity bracelet
- Writing poems about justice or hope
- Singing “Freedom Rings” as a group
- Hosting a mini-history day with student presentations or puppet skits
These activities help students of all ages understand the significance of Juneteenth while encouraging creativity and participation.
Reflecting on the Meaning of Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, but it is also a call to remember, reflect, and grow. Teaching kids about this holiday is not just about looking back at history- it’s about shaping the future. When we help children understand the importance of fairness, resilience, and community, we give them tools to become thoughtful, empathetic individuals.
Whether you’re a parent starting a kitchen-table conversation or a teacher bringing these lessons into the classroom, your voice matters. Juneteenth reminds us that every person has a story worth hearing and every child has a role to play in building a more just world.
Through books, music, art, and open conversation, we can make history come alive. We can make sure that Juneteenth is not only taught but felt. And we can honor the past while helping children imagine a better tomorrow.
Let’s celebrate Juneteenth with purpose.
Let’s teach our kids the truth, the hope, and the power of freedom.
And let’s keep learning together- one song, one story, one smile at a time.
References
- Duncan, A. F., & Freeman, K. (2021). Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth. Thomas Nelson.
- Johnson, A., & Lewis, E. B. (2014). All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
- Cooper, F. (2015). Juneteenth for Mazie. Capstone.
- Taylor, K. (2023). A Flag for Juneteenth. Neal Porter Books.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture. (n.d.). Talking About Race: Historical Foundations of Race. Smithsonian Institution. https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race/topics/historical-foundations-race
- PBS Kids. (2023). How to Talk to Kids About Juneteenth. PBS Kids for Parents. https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-juneteenth
- Port Discovery Children’s Museum. (2021). How to Talk to Kids About Juneteenth. https://www.portdiscovery.org/news-room/how-talk-kids-about-juneteenth
- U.S. National Archives. (n.d.). General Order No. 3 (June 19, 1865). https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/juneteenth-original-document
- White House. (2021, June 17). A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2021/
Jenny has a passion for learning and sharing what she learns. She has researched, written and published hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including: SEO, art, design, marketing, ethics, business management, sustainability, inclusion, behavioral health, wellness and work-life balance.
