Celebrating Black History Month 2026
Every February, families across the country pause to honor the rich history, achievements, and cultural impact of Black Americans. For families learning in a virtual school environment, Black History Month offers a unique opportunity to explore history together at home through conversations, creative projects, books, videos, and activities that inspire curiosity and connection.
Whether you’re looking for Black History Month activities for kids, family-friendly ways to celebrate at home, or virtual learning resources, Stellar Hollow is here to offer ideas that can make the month meaningful, engaging, and accessible for students of all ages.
Why Black History Month Matters
Martin Luther King Jr.
In a virtual school community, learning naturally extends beyond the classroom and into the home. At Stellar Hollow, families are partners in the educational journey, and Black History Month invites them to explore history collaboratively. Celebrating at home helps children:
Understand how Black Americans have shaped science, literature, art, technology, politics, and culture
Connect historical moments to their own lives and experiences
Build cultural awareness and empathy
Explore new perspectives through stories, discussions, and multimedia
Take this month to encourage students to ask questions, express creativity, and appreciate the diversity of the world around them.
At-Home Activities
Here are some flexible, screen-friendly, and accessible activities that families can enjoy together throughout February.
1. Explore Books by Black Authors and Illustrators
One of the simplest and most meaningful ways to celebrate Black History Month is by reading together. Families can choose books that match their child’s age, interests, and reading level.
Elementary School Books
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
“We are all here for a purpose. We are more than enough. We just need to believe it.”
“This gorgeous, lyrical ode to loving who you are, respecting others, and being kind to one another comes from bestselling author, Empire actor and activist Grace Byers and beloved artist Keturah A. Bobo.” - Harper Collins Publishing
Summer is Here by Renee Watson
“Summer is finally here, and she's bringing the most perfect day! From sun-up to sun-down, there's so much to do. With summer comes fresh fruit, sweet and tangy, jump ropes for leaping and dancing, and friends at the pool swimming and floating. Summer brings family cookouts under shady trees, gardens overflowing, and the familiar song of the ice cream truck. This beautiful ode to all the season's sensations follows one girl's perfect day in an exploration of joy, family, friendship, sunshine, and wonder.” - Books of Wonder
There Was a Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds
“New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds’s debut picture book is a snappy, joyous ode to Word King, literary genius, and glass-ceiling smasher Langston Hughes and the luminaries he inspired.” - Simon & Schuster
I Got You by Derrick Barnes
“Rasheed has the best big brother in the world! Anthony has been his hero from day one, making him feel safe during storms and included in all kinds of fun activities. Thanks to Anthony, Rasheed knows all about worms, mud pies, puddles, and how to fly on a swing. And now that Rasheed is getting a little older, Anthony is teaching him how to do big-boy things, like button his own shirt, and ride a bike. And most importantly, that there will be times when Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies.” - Penguin Random House
Middle School Books
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
“This beloved Newbery Honor Book, National Book Award finalist, and Coretta Scott King Award–winning novel about the three unforgettable Gaither sisters has been adapted into a beautiful full-color graphic novel for a new generation, with vibrant art by Sharee Miller.” - New York Public Library
Billions to Burn by Taylor Banks
“When Amadeus Jones goes missing, his grandson Zeus will need to reunite with his former best friends to rescue him. Using a Langston Hughes poem as their guide, the four kids are sent on a cross-country treasure hunt, potentially uncovering a dangerous secret along the way.” - New York Public Library
LINK + HUD: SHARKS & MINNOWS by Jerome Pumphrey
“Lincoln and Hudson Dupré are brothers with active imaginations. When one of their imaginary adventures leads to the outdoor pool at the recreation center being closed, they’re faced with a choice: join the Sharks swim team or miss out on swimming altogether. But Coach Strickler is old-school and runs his team by the rules. Will the boys outwit their coach, make practice fun—and make the team?” - The Pumphrey Brothers
High School Books
Poemhood: Our Black Revival by Amber McBride, Erica Martin, and Taylor Byas
“Featuring an all-star group of thirty-seven powerful poetic voices, including such luminaries as Kwame Alexander, James Baldwin, Ibi Zoboi, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, and Gwendolyn Brooks, this riveting anthology depicts the diversity of the Black experience by fostering a conversation about race, faith, heritage, and resilience between fresh poets and the literary ancestors that came before them.” - Harper Collins Publishing
All About Love: New Visions by Bell Hooks
“What is love? Beyond the addictive refrain from Haddaway that is now stuck in your head, it is a multitudinous concept that is difficult if not impossible to fully grasp. And yet, in All About Love, the first of three parts, we’re given an exploration of love that will grant an unexpected clarity, pushing you to seek a deeper meaning of love, and how it can heal the fissures that divide us.” - Barnes & Noble
Flip by Ngozi Ukazu
“Walking a mile in another's shoes is only fun if you aren't an awkward Black girl who switched bodies with one of the most popular White boys at your private school... who just rejected your promposal. Can Chi-Chi and Flip figure out how to fix this flop?” - New York Public Library
Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess
“From award-winning and bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes Solo, the story of seventeen-year-old Blade Morrison, who is being crushed between the scathing tabloids exposing his former rock-star-father’s addictions and a protected secret that threatens his own identity. The answers to his past and future change everything he thought to be true.” - Harper Collins Focus
These books represent genres, experiences, and emotions as wide ranging as the African American experience. Reading together opens the door for conversations about identity, empathy, history, resilience, and storytelling as we reflect on a community ripe with stories of trials and triumphs.
2. Explore Museums Virtually
Many museums offer free online exhibits or learning opportunities that bring Black history and culture to life. Families can explore:
Virtual exploration allows students to “walk through” history using photos, videos, artifacts, and curated stories all from home.
Citizens during the 1963 March on Washington
3. Family-Friendly Documentaries or Short Films
Short educational videos can make historical topics more vivid and accessible. Platforms like PBS Kids, YouTube Learning, and the Smithsonian offer content suited for younger audiences.
Older students may enjoy documentaries on:
The Harlem Renaissance
Black scientists and inventors
Civil Rights history
Black artists, musicians, and athletes
Watching together gives families a chance to reflect, ask questions, and explore themes more deeply.
4. Hands-On STEM Activities
If your child enjoys science or engineering, February is a great month to explore the achievements of Black innovators.
Build a simple machine inspired by Granville Woods, an inventor known for early railway communication systems.
Try a kitchen experiment inspired by George Washington Carver’s agricultural research.
Explore space science inspired by Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space.
These small projects help students see the connection between past achievements and modern STEM fields.
5. Listen to Music That Shaped American Culture
Music is a powerful way to explore culture and history. Families can create playlists or listening sessions featuring:
Jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong
Motown icons like Stevie Wonder or Diana Ross
Classical influences from composers like Florence Price
Modern voices from artists across genres
Encourage students to notice how music reflects different eras, experiences, and artistic movements.
Guiding Conversations With Kids of All Ages
Parents often wonder how to talk about big historical topics with young learners. The key is to keep conversations open, curious, and developmentally appropriate. Here are a few guiding questions you can use at home:
“What did you learn today that surprised you?”
“Who is someone from history you’d like to learn more about?”
“How do you think this person’s life was different from yours? How was it similar?”
“How do the achievements of this person impact us today?”
“What can we learn from their courage, creativity, or leadership?”
These gentle prompts help children process information in a way that feels supportive and empowering. While February provides a focused moment of reflection, families can carry these conversations throughout the year—exploring diverse authors, celebrating cultural events, and revisiting historical topics as students grow.
A Month of Learning, Connection, and Inspiration
Black History Month is more than a set of lessons. It's an invitation to honor the past, explore the present, and inspire the future. By engaging in at-home activities, reading together, watching educational content, and exploring culture through music and art, families create meaningful learning experiences that shape how children view the world.
At Stellar Hollow Virtual Academy, we’re proud to support our virtual school families during this month and throughout the year. When we lift up the achievements of the Black community, we all reach for the stars.
