Jasmine Hood Miller
Director of Family Engagement and Partnerships | Mama of three
Celebrate Juneteenth with Learning and Fun
Kids of all ages can learn about and participate in this holiday with books, videos, and activities.
If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.
—James Baldwin, author and activist
Juneteenth, now marked as a national holiday, is a day of reflection and jubilee for people in the African American community. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed that they were now free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The following year those free men and women came together to celebrate the anniversary of their freedom -- creating a tradition that has spread across the United States and been passed down over generations, through celebratory events, food, and storytelling.
Whether your family has been celebrating Juneteenth for years or you learned about it recently, here are some thought-provoking and fun ways to share stories of our perseverance and determination to gain and hold on to freedom.
Remember and learn
Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved Black Americans to the cause of human freedom.
—Jamelle Bouie, journalist
Books
Books are a great way to begin conversations with young children about complicated, sometimes scary topics like slavery and racism.
Henry's Freedom Box (5+)
True story of a boy's bravery and his later determination to reunite with his family.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom (6+)
Beautiful imagining of a young girl and her family as they receive the news of their emancipation.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (7+)
Based on the award-winning New York Times Magazine anthology, this picture book highlights Black resistance, the often untold history of Africa, and the legacy of slavery in a developmentally appropriate and poetic way for younger readers.
The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers (7+)
Inspirational, factual chapter book for young readers that explains the history behind the holiday, and how celebrations have changed from its beginning to present day.
Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge (9+)
Ugly truths about the USA's founding are told in this compelling historical tale of a young woman's fight for survival.
Movies and TV
TV shows and movies can offer realistic portrayals of the brutal treatment that enslaved Africans and their descendants endured -- and the dignity they maintained despite it all. Share in these experiences with your older tweens and teens by watching together, and try to make time before, during, or after to talk about some of the intense images and themes presented.
Harriet (12+)
Moving portrayal of a freedom fighter who embodied courage and a gift for envisioning a better future.
Roots (14+)
Classic miniseries based on Alex Haley's book follows a family through the generations, from Africa to the Middle Passage, enslavement, and, eventually, freedom.
Miss Juneteenth (14+)
The tradition of Juneteenth is explained and celebrated as mother and daughter bond through pageantry and discovering their own beauty -- inside and out.
Underground (15+)
Intense drama shows some of the worst of human behavior -- and the triumph of the human spirit.
Bonus: Slavery at Monticello: Life and Work at Mulberry Row (app; 12+)
Explore the experience of enslaved people who lived and worked at President Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate.
Honor and celebrate
[I]t's an opportunity to both look back but to look ahead to make sure that that notion of freedom, and the fragility of it, is always protected and celebrated.
—Lonnie Bunch, educator and historian
Juneteenth is a celebration to be enjoyed with reverence for all that our ancestors overcame. Here are some activities you can do together as a family to make the holiday special.
Sing-along for little ones: Sesame Street: Let's Celebrate Juneteenth Song
Young kids will have fun seeing themselves and bopping to this song about cultural pride.
Kid-voiced podcast: Hey Black Child
This episode, titled "The History of Juneteenth," gives kids a bite-size explanation of how the holiday got started and ways to celebrate.
Creative curation for teens: Press Play on History: Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Older kids can engage in this self-guided activity by creating a themed playlist of songs that represents their interpretation of the historical experience of African Americans and Juneteenth.
Find a local festival or parade, have a barbecue, eat something red, attend a prayer service, or support a Black-owned business.
As we gather with our families to commemorate the day, take this time to acknowledge our shared history and look to the future.
If you know whence you came, there is really no limit to where you can go.
—James Baldwin, author and activist
Juneteenth, now marked as a national holiday, is a day of reflection and jubilee for people in the African American community. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed that they were now free, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The following year those free men and women came together to celebrate the anniversary of their freedom -- creating a tradition that has spread across the United States and been passed down over generations, through celebratory events, food, and storytelling.
Whether your family has been celebrating Juneteenth for years or you learned about it recently, here are some thought-provoking and fun ways to share stories of our perseverance and determination to gain and hold on to freedom.
Remember and learn
Juneteenth may mark just one moment in the struggle for emancipation, but the holiday gives us an occasion to reflect on the profound contributions of enslaved Black Americans to the cause of human freedom.
—Jamelle Bouie, journalist
Books
Books are a great way to begin conversations with young children about complicated, sometimes scary topics like slavery and racism.
Henry's Freedom Box (5+)
True story of a boy's bravery and his later determination to reunite with his family.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom (6+)
Beautiful imagining of a young girl and her family as they receive the news of their emancipation.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water (7+)
Based on the award-winning New York Times Magazine anthology, this picture book highlights Black resistance, the often untold history of Africa, and the legacy of slavery in a developmentally appropriate and poetic way for younger readers.
The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers (7+)
Inspirational, factual chapter book for young readers that explains the history behind the holiday, and how celebrations have changed from its beginning to present day.
Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge (9+)
Ugly truths about the USA's founding are told in this compelling historical tale of a young woman's fight for survival.
Movies and TV
TV shows and movies can offer realistic portrayals of the brutal treatment that enslaved Africans and their descendants endured -- and the dignity they maintained despite it all. Share in these experiences with your older tweens and teens by watching together, and try to make time before, during, or after to talk about some of the intense images and themes presented.
Harriet (12+)
Moving portrayal of a freedom fighter who embodied courage and a gift for envisioning a better future.
Roots (14+)
Classic miniseries based on Alex Haley's book follows a family through the generations, from Africa to the Middle Passage, enslavement, and, eventually, freedom.
Miss Juneteenth (14+)
The tradition of Juneteenth is explained and celebrated as mother and daughter bond through pageantry and discovering their own beauty -- inside and out.
Underground (15+)
Intense drama shows some of the worst of human behavior -- and the triumph of the human spirit.
Bonus: Slavery at Monticello: Life and Work at Mulberry Row (app; 12+)
Explore the experience of enslaved people who lived and worked at President Thomas Jefferson's Monticello estate.
Honor and celebrate
[I]t's an opportunity to both look back but to look ahead to make sure that that notion of freedom, and the fragility of it, is always protected and celebrated.
—Lonnie Bunch, educator and historian
Juneteenth is a celebration to be enjoyed with reverence for all that our ancestors overcame. Here are some activities you can do together as a family to make the holiday special.
Sing-along for little ones: Sesame Street: Let's Celebrate Juneteenth Song
Young kids will have fun seeing themselves and bopping to this song about cultural pride.
Kid-voiced podcast: Hey Black Child
This episode, titled "The History of Juneteenth," gives kids a bite-size explanation of how the holiday got started and ways to celebrate.
Creative curation for teens: Press Play on History: Juneteenth from the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Older kids can engage in this self-guided activity by creating a themed playlist of songs that represents their interpretation of the historical experience of African Americans and Juneteenth.
Find a local festival or parade, have a barbecue, eat something red, attend a prayer service, or support a Black-owned business.
As we gather with our families to commemorate the day, take this time to acknowledge our shared history and look to the future.
Jasmine Hood Miller is the director of family engagement and partnerships. With a background in marketing and media, she joined Common Sense in 2010 and leads content strategy and implementation of the organization’s family outreach efforts, with a particular emphasis on addressing the unique experiences and concerns of BIPOC families raising kids in a digital world. Jasmine holds a BA in Communications from Temple University, is a former board member of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), and is passionate about amplifying marginalized voices and stories in children's media.
When she's not trying to find fun ways to keep her three young children happy and healthy, Jasmine enjoys spending time with family, DIY projects, traveling, and being a plant (and fur) parent.
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