We are right in the thick of Black History Month and there’s so much left to learn. There’s still plenty of time to celebrate your history and get your children in on the fun. But, you don’t have to pack up the kids and rush to the nearest museum this weekend for your requisite family Black History Month lesson.
A Convenient, Kid-Friendly Way to Squeeze in a Black History Lesson
Thanks to Google Cultural Institute, you can gather the kids around the dinner table and celebrate your history from home.
At the top of the month, the Google Cultural Institute released more than 5,000 digital artifacts relating to black history. The online collection includes historic photos, videos, documents and stories. Some items include Gordon Park’s photos, an Alvin Ailey exhibit, a scan of Martin Luther King’s personal letters and a recording of John F Kennedy’s civil rights speech. The digital institute even displays works of modern history, such as videos of jazz concerts and Obama family paraphernalia.
The impressive collection is sourced from some of the most prestigious museums and cultural institutes across the nation. This includes the eagerly-anticipated Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. (which opens to the public later this year), and the revered The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago.
For parents, it’s a cultural experience that comes at no costs to you. And for kids, it’s more precious moments of screen time. The items will be available on the website for the remainder of 2016, so you can start your journey through the collection today and return anytime throughout the year.
BMWK: What creative ways do you get your kids interested in Black History Month?
Up Next: 28 Black History Lessons for You and Your Kids
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on February 26, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.