Programs

Join us for engaging activities, educational programs and exciting events designed especially for young children! Register for our age-appropriate experiences, inspired by the Museum's collection, by checking out our calendar of events.

Upcoming Events

Please note, as a public health precaution due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Museum's early childhood programming will consist of virtual, online offerings to protect the safety and well-being of our participants, staff, and volunteers until further notice.

Joyful Fridays

Join us each Friday for a joyful webinar-style Zoom class led by Museum educators! Designed for 4 to 8 year olds, each Joyful Fridays program features art projects and lessons inspired by the Joyful ABC Activity Book series and the Museum's collection.

Visit our Upcoming Events listings to register for more information.

Joyful ABC Activity Booklets

The Museum's Joyful ABC Activity Booklet series invites caregivers and educators to support children’s positive identity development while also growing their language and literacy skills with activities, museum objects and new words based on characteristics featured in the book, A is for All the Things You Are: A Joyful ABC Book.

Each activity booklet provides early childhood caregivers and educators with all this and more! 

• Insight into children’s developmental stages
• Age-appropriate play and art activities
• Literacy and language development experiences 
• Opportunities to look closely at museum objects 
• Suggested books, videos, articles, and other resources

Visit our Joyful ABC booklets series to learn more and download interactive booklets for infants and toddlers and early learners, ages 3 - 5.

Download our supplies list PDF and build an at-home creativity kit full of all the supplies and recycled materials you’ll need for future ABC art and play activities. Find the supplies list here!

Take a closer look at Museum objects featured in the Joyful ABC booklets by exploring the Museum's Learning Lab collections.

Activities and Resources

Engage with our Museum from home or in the classroom with activity sheets, learning plans and recommended resources inspired by objects and stories from the Museum's collection. Check back regularly for new materials!

Celebrate African American Poetry

Empower the children in your life with activities and lessons inspired by Maya Angelou's Life Doesn't Frighten Me and Useni Eugene Perkins' Hey Black Child.

Download English PDF        Descargar Espanol PDF

Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth

For young children, the concept of freedom and the history of slavery can be challenging to grasp. Use our guide to start this important conversation, learn more about Juneteenth and enjoy a special activity and book collection together.

Download Understanding and Celebrating Juneteenth

Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Museum

Learn more about the Museum's collection and the 7 principles of Kwanzaa - Nguzo Saba - by downloading our PDF activity sheets for each day.

Download English PDF      Descargar Espanol PDF

Honoring Dr. King

Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with an art project, recommended resources, and a Learning Lab collection inspired by his important activism. Download our interactive PDF to learn more.

Download English PDF      Descargar Espanol PDF

Explore Smithsonian Learning Lab

Bring the Museum's collection to your classroom or home with themed online collections of objects curated by the early childhood education team. Plus, discover additional discussion questions and suggested activities by visiting our Learning Lab.

Talking About Race

Positive identity development, including racialized identity, begins at birth. Visit Talking About Race to guide your journey so you can support the child in your life to develop a healthy sense of self and understanding of others.