A Creative Way to Teach About MLK Jr.’s Legacy
Crafting is a hands-on way to teach kids about important historical figures, and this I Have a Dream Paper Plate Craft is a simple yet impactful activity to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. It’s designed to spark meaningful conversations about kindness, equality, and dreaming big—all while letting kids get creative with tissue paper and glue.
This craft is perfect for schools, home learning, or group activities. It’s easy to set up, visually engaging, and includes a free MLK Jr. printable to complete the design.
Why You’ll Love This Paper Plate Craft
This activity combines art with a powerful lesson about Martin Luther King Jr. Kids will love the process of gluing colorful tissue paper to create a vibrant, symbolic piece of art, while parents and teachers will appreciate how it opens the door to important discussions. The finished craft becomes a meaningful decoration that serves as a reminder of Dr. King’s message of equality and hope.
Materials You’ll Need
- Paper plate
- Tissue paper (assorted colors)
- School glue
- Scissors
- Free MLK Jr. picture printable (link below)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Materials
Print out the free MLK Jr. picture and set it aside. Cut tissue paper into small squares or rectangles. You can prepare these ahead of time or let kids practice their scissor skills by cutting the tissue paper themselves.
- Create the Base
Take a paper plate and apply glue to the surface. Encourage kids to spread the glue evenly to ensure the tissue paper sticks well.
- Add the Tissue Paper
Begin sticking the tissue paper pieces onto the plate, overlapping them slightly to create a colorful mosaic effect. Let kids choose a mix of colors that represent unity, diversity, and hope—this is a great opportunity to discuss how different colors coming together can symbolize inclusivity.
- Attach the MLK Jr. Printable
Once the tissue paper is in place and the glue has dried trim around the edge of the paper plate. Next cut out the printed MLK Jr. picture. Glue the picture in the center of the plate, making it the focal point of the craft.
- Add Final Touches
If desired, let kids use markers or glitter to add extra details or write words like “dream,” “hope,” or “equality” around the edges of the plate.
Using This Craft to Teach About MLK Jr.
For Teachers
Incorporate this craft into a lesson about Martin Luther King Jr. Share his famous “I Have a Dream” speech and discuss how he inspired people to fight for fairness and equality.
For Parents and Caregivers
At home, use this craft as an opportunity to talk about being kind to others and standing up for what’s right. Ask your child to share what they’ve learned about Dr. King and how they can apply his message in their daily lives.
Questions to Ask Kids (Ages 3-10)
- What does it mean to treat people equally?
- Why do you think Martin Luther King Jr. wanted everyone to be treated fairly?
- What is your dream for making the world a better place?
- How can you show kindness to others in your school or neighborhood?
Why This Craft is Perfect for Teaching About MLK Jr.
This I Have a Dream Paper Plate Craft is more than an art project—it’s a way to engage kids in meaningful conversations about fairness, kindness, and dreaming of a better world. It’s simple to set up, fun to create, and helps kids connect with Dr. King’s legacy in a hands-on, memorable way.
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
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- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
