Women’s History Month Activities for Parents and Kids

Posted on 3-13-213-15-21 by Dawn Marie Barhyte

four girls making fists — Photo by MPH Photos/Shutterstock

It is no secret that history and social studies books are focused on the achievements of white men. During Women’s History Month, let’s introduce our children, boys and girls, to women who have made a difference. What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than to reflect on the strong and awe-inspiring women who came before us?

Take the month of March to celebrate women and inspire the next generation of female leaders. It is a great time to extend our own knowledge and deepen our understanding of those women who were talented, tenacious and brave. You can also explore women currently making a mark on society too.

There are so many amazing women in history who have challenged authority and even broken the glass ceiling. These female pioneers who came before us have brought us where we are today after facing challenges and gender inequities.

Use this teachable moment to inspire our children to want to learn about heroic women whose achievements have left their mark on history. These hands-on activities will appeal to different learning styles, which will promote deeper learning.

Hands-On Women’s History Month Activities

Build Background:

Discuss women roles in our history with your kids, to inspire little feminists. Explain how during this special time we highlight the achievements of women throughout history, spark conversations about the many female contributions and hopefully inspire young girls to become trailblazers too.

Discover the Power of Play:

Choose toys that defy gender stereotypes. For example, give girls Legos and boys dolls.

Foster Critical Thinking and Discussions:

Ask open ended questions when learning about historical women like, does it make a difference that she was a girl? What makes her able to tackle the issue? How can we follow in her footsteps?

Celebrate and Highlight Women Who Paved the Way for Those to Come:

Choose women of different cultures, races and ethnicities to stamp out bias and foster tolerance. (To name a few: Sally Ride, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Betsy Ross, Kamala Harris, Georgia O’Keeffe, Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai, Jane Goodall, Serena Williams, Hillary Clinton). Share profiles of these women and discuss how they inspire those living today to trail blaze. Ask questions to deepen comprehension and learning.

See Women in History:

Watch PBS Women’s History Month videos, PBS Kids’ Overview of Women’s History Month or go to Learning Liftoff! for activities for children in pre-K and up.

Uncover the Power of Women’s Poetry:

Read Maya Angelou’s Poetry. “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” is full of fun rhymes and has an empowering message that can inspire. Then, make up a poem together on female awesomeness! Or try the prolific Emily Dickinson.

Embrace the Magic of Music and Movement:

Listen and move to a girl power playlist that includes songs like “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keyes, “Rise Up” by Andra Day and “Brave” by Sara Bareillis.

Explore Female Artists:

Visit online galleries and then paint together. Create self-portraits to boost confidence. The National Women’s History Museum is hosting online exhibits this month. You and your children can attend, learn and gain an appreciation for women in history who have made a difference.

Play Games:

The “Who Am I?” game will boost memory and vocabulary. Print out pictures of historical women you’ve discussed with your kids. Cut out the pictures and glue them to large index cards. Then, work together to highlight the women’s achievements. Write the achievements on separate index cards. Challenge your child to match the picture of each woman to her achievements.

Reading Rocks:

Read heartwarming stories centered on heroic women. Invest in books that inspire youngsters to change the world. Find books that help your little ones discover real-life female heroes. A few personal favorites are:

A is for Awesome: 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World by Eva Chen. This book covers women from A to Z. Discover historical figures with fun illustrations that will allow children to connect these figures of the past to the rights and inventions we enjoy today.
She Persisted: 14 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton. This inspiring book highlights women in American history who stood up for what they believed was right even when the naysayers were many.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst. A wonderfully succinct but thoughtful overview of women in history that is easy and fun to read, and to spark debate.
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai. This book provides inspiration to kids who want to change the world around them. Her modern-day story will open your child’s eyes to what it takes to leave a mark. Her work as a young activist for the right to education for girl’s is worth exploring.
Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison. Inspire little ones to know they can do amazing things too!
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole. A delightful picture book about a girl who is her own knight in shining armor.
Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World by Katherine Halligan and Sarah Walsh. This wonderfully illustrated book discusses female movers and shakers from around the world, who are bound to inspire us that girls can do anything if they set their minds to it.

Honor the Women In Your Lives:

Every family has their own amazing women worthy of celebrating. Try sending a sweet thank you note for the difference these women are making in your youngster’s life. Contact women in your lives to share heirloom recipes and cook together as a family while discussing what it was like “back in the day”and how it’s different now because of women in history. Cooking together is a wonderful family ritual that deepens belonging and enhances early STEM skills.

Support Learning and Literacy:

Together, create a book about a woman your child finds inspirational. Depending on your child’s age, help them with words. Allow your child to draw freely, to work on hand-eye coordination, literacy and creativity.

Dawn Marie Barhyte is a widely published author with over 100 articles to her credit. A former early childhood educator and co-director, Dawn continues to touch the lives of families through her writing. She lives and works in the beautiful Hudson Valley, NY with her beloved husband and rescue chihuahua dachshund.

Other articles by Dawn Marie Barhyte:
Why Kids Need Family Traditions and Rituals
Look Who’s Talking: Language Development
Sensory Play is Sense-sational
Imagine That: Fostering Creativity In Children
Reading Rocks: Storytelling Techniques for Your Child’s Success