Freedom Hands

Freedom Hands craft

Celebrate human diversity! Children think about the freedoms they enjoy, and remember the work of civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • 1.

    What does the word freedom mean to you? Is it the feeling you get when you ride your skateboard down a big hill? Does it mean that you could grow up to be anything you want to be? Might it mean being able to vote? Freedom means many different things to different people. Talk with your friends and family about what freedom means to them.

  • 2.

    Many people in the past, and even today, face discrimination and are treated unfairly. They may not have free choice about where to live, what jobs to take, or the right to vote for their leaders. When your parents and grandparents were younger, African Americans were seeking the same freedoms that the rest of people in the United States were enjoying. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. After many years of struggle, laws and attitudes began to change. Find out more about this movement and other efforts around the world to win human rights.

  • 3.

    Think about the freedoms that you enjoy. Write a list of these freedoms with Crayola® Colored Pencils.

  • 4.

    Place your arm on the fold of a folded, recycled file folder. With a friend, trace your hand several times.

  • 5.

    With Crayola Scissors cut out the hands. Because the file folder was folded, hands will be joined at the arm.

  • 6.

    Using Crayola Multicultural Markers, color the hands to represent the diverse peoples of the world.

  • 7.

    Design the arms with Crayola Crayons to create appropriate clothing and accessories, such as Mehndi hand decorations of Hindu children or beaded Massi bracelets. On each hand, write one of the freedoms from your list.

  • 8.

    Overlap the fingers as if they were holding hands. Glue hands together with Crayola School Glue to make a banner. Dry.