At the Brooklyn Children’s Museum three-day I Have a Dream Celebration, families will learn about MLK, Jr. and his legacy as well as the importance of diversity, equality, and rights. Enjoy the animated film Our Friend Martin, create freedom hands, and more.
Saturday, January 13th
Totally Tots Studio - Meet the Artist
10:00am to 12:00pm | Ages 2.5+
Each week kids make artwork inspired by artists! This week learn about Kehinde Wiley. Think of your heroic self and create a portrait. Activities invite young artists to build and refine their fine motor skills; engage in sensory exploration of materials, and learn how to share with others in this open art studio. There is no such thing as a bad mess in this space, which is tailored to children five and younger.
MLK, Jr. Cinema
11:00am to 11:30am, 3:30pm to 4:00pm | All ages
Visitors learn about Martin Luther King, Jr’s legacy and the American civil rights movement through the animated film Our Friend Martin. Join us as we see two friends travel through time, meeting Dr. King at several points during his life.
Touch Tank
12:30pm to 1:00pm | All ages
Meet and touch real, live sea creatures like starfish and sea urchins.
Freedom Hands
2:00pm to 4:00pm | Ages 3+
Think about the freedoms you enjoy, and remember the work of civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., create your own freedom hands and write a list of those freedoms!
Live Animal Adventure
4:15pm to 4:45pm | All ages
Learn about and touch live animals from the Museum’s living collection.
Sunday, January 14th
Holding History: MLK’s Life
11:00am to 1:00pm| Ages 2.5+
What was Martin Luther King Jr.’s world like as a child? How did it change because of him?
In Celebration of MLK Day, children will celebrate and consider Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. legacy through physically being able to hold, touch, and feel historical artifacts from our collection that were made during his lifetime, from 1929-1968. They will ponder these questions and honor MLK through this tactical investigation and by relating these historical artifacts to their own lives.
Story Time and Art at BCM
1:30pm to 2:30pm, 3:30pm to 4:30pm | All ages
Join a BCM Educator for an interactive story reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. among other titles focused on MLK, Jr.’s life and those who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Then, learn the technique of silkscreen and make your own protest poster using Civil Rights artwork as inspiration!
I Have A Dream Totes
2:00pm to 4:00pm | Ages 4+
Decorate a canvas tote with MLK, Jr inspired quotes to wear!
Live Animal Adventure
4:15pm to 4:45pm | All ages
Join a Museum Educator for this popular live animal show. Learn about and touch an animal from the Museum’s living collection.
Monday, January 15th
Totally Tots Studio- Meet the Artist
10:00am to 12:00pm | Ages 2.5+
Each week kids make artwork inspired by artists! This month learn about Kehinde Wiley, Titus Kaphar, Alma Thomas, and Ebony G Patterson. Activities invite young artists to build and refine their fine motor skills; engage in sensory exploration of materials, and learn how to share with others in this open art studio. There is no such thing as a bad mess in this space, which is tailored to children five and younger.
Brooklyn Block Lab & Studio
10:00am to 1:00pm| Ages 2.5+
In BCM's 2nd floor Studio, which focuses on art and architecture, visitors of all ages develop their engineering skills as they engage in open block play with large Imagination Playground blocks and table top sized Kapla Planks and Magnatiles, as well as artist James Paulius' house-shaped wooden blocks and pegs from his installation Sky Village.
I Have A Dream Totes
12:00pm to 2:00pm | Ages 4+
Decorate a canvas tote with MLK, Jr inspired quotes to wear!
Freedom Hands
2:00pm to 4:00pm | Ages 3+
Think about the freedoms you enjoy, and remember the work of civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., create your own freedom hands and write a list of those freedoms!
Story Time at BCM
1:30pm to 2:30pm, 3:30pm to 4:30pm | All ages
Join a BCM Educator for an interactive storytime featuring I Have A Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. by Marion Dane Bauer. Then, learn about the teachings of MLK, Jr. by exploring the values of love, hope & peace. Create your own postcards influenced by these ideas and write a message to send to a friend or family member.
Live Animal Adventure
4:15pm to 4:45pm | All ages
Join a Museum Educator for this popular live animal show. Learn about and touch an animal from the Museum’s living collection.
