3 Meaningful Ways Families Can Honor MLK in the DMV
Living in the DC metro area offers families unique opportunities to honor Dr. King’s legacy year-round through local events, service projects, and trusted educational resources at home. Below are three meaningful ways families can celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s message together, whether you want to get out into the community or keep learning close to home.
Martin Luther King Jr. with his family
About This Guide
Sarah Acors is your DMV Kid-friendly Weekend Curator! She’s a DC Native, local parent and the founder of 4DMV Kids, a family-focused platform that helps parents discover kid-friendly, educational, and culturally rich experiences across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. This piece highlights a few meaningful ways families can honor MLK Day, with a more detailed, event-filled family guide available through 4DMV Kids for those looking to explore additional ideas.
1. Attend Community Events That Honor the Civil Rights Era
Community events allow kids to see how Dr. King’s legacy is remembered and celebrated collectively—through art, performances, conversations and shared experiences. Many programs are designed with children in mind, making complex topics like civil rights more approachable through hands-on activities and guided discussions.
● Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture or other local
black history museums for exhibitions and programming
○ Alexandria Black History Museum
● Check out local library systems like DC Public Library for exhibitions and/or events.
● Follow your local city government or recreation center on social media for upcoming
family-friendly celebrations.
Anacostia Community Museum
Looking for a more comprehensive roundup of local MLK Day events? You can explore the full 4DMV Kids guide to MLK events, which is updated annually with family-friendly options.
2. Host a Family Day of Service
Family-friendly service doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple acts—especially when done together—can have a meaningful impact and spark important conversations.
Ways to serve your community:
● Participate in a neighborhood or park clean-up
● Create kindness cards for neighbors, seniors, or essential workers
● Volunteer with age-appropriate community groups
○ Visit volunteer.gov to search for volunteer opportunities in your area.
After your service activity, talk with your kids about how helping others connects to Dr. King’s message of compassion and fairness. This discussion can then lead to a service action plan for year-round giving in your household.
3. Learn and Reflect at Home With PBS Resources
For families who want to balance outings with at-home learning, try exploring trusted platforms like PBS Kids, which offers age-appropriate videos, activities, and discussion starters that introduce Dr. King’s life and legacy in ways young children can understand.
Places to start:
● Watch this short PBS Kids video about MLK Day and Dr. King’s influence
● Read a children’s book about kindness, fairness, or leadership
● Ask simple reflection questions like:
○ “What does kindness look like in our family?”
○ “How can we help others in our community?”
These moments don’t have to be long to be meaningful. Short, consistent conversations can help kids connect with Dr. King’s message within their everyday lives.
Also, PBS Kids has this wonderful resource for parents looking to engage their child in deeper conversations.
Honoring Dr. King Together
Father and son - MLK Day
Whether you attend a community event, volunteer together, learn at home, or take a meaningful day trip, what matters most is creating space for learning, reflection, and action.
By honoring Dr. King’s legacy in ways that feel accessible and thoughtful, families can help children understand that kindness, service, and justice are values we practice not just on MLK Day—but every day.
For families looking to explore MLK Day events and ideas across the DMV, a full family-friendly guide that is updated annually is available through the 4DMV Kids website