As we continue to talk about race at home, many parents are focused on resources and books to dive into the subject. You can also easily get creative to start the conversation early with your kids. Try these hands-on learning activities and crafts focused on diversity and anti-racism.

M&M Experiment

Sometimes visual examples allow children to understand important lessons. M&Ms are used in a sweet way to discuss different races with kids and how people look differently. While the candy comes in different colors, they all look the same on the inside.

Get the tutorial at Crayon Freckles.

M is for Melanin

This activity was created to introduce the word melanin to kids. Talk about the different shades or have your child find their own matching shade.

Get the tutorial at Teaching Little Sunflowers.

Shades of People Handprint Wreath

This wreath features handprints cut out with multi-cultural construction paper. You can hang up the craft on your front door for everyone to see the powerful message or even pair it with a Black Lives Matter sign.

Get the tutorial at Make it Fun Mom.

Painting Activity

While talking with kids about race, this hands-on activity lets them explore the different shades of brown. Follow the tutorial to see what color combinations make beige, tan, chestnut and more.

Get the tutorial at toddlers.who.read.

Paper Doll Dress Up

You might remember making paper doll chains as a kid. Here is a great way to use this classic craft as you talk about race with kids. We suggest purchasing People Colors® Crayon Pack or this Crayola Multicultural Pack when coloring your diverse set of paper dolls.

Get the tutorial at Mama & OG.

Skin Tone Play Dough

For kids who enjoy sensory activities, work together to make skin tone play dough. Use ingredients like Kool-Aid, food coloring and cocoa powder to recreate different skin tones. When done, you can store the homemade dough in an airtight container in the fridge to play again later.

Get the tutorial at Little Stars Learning.

Wooden Rainbow People

If you want to add more diversity to your child’s toy collection, use wooden pegs to DIY your own. These minimalist wooden people showcase our diverse world. Have your kids help with this craft to truly understand why these toys are painted with a variety of colors and shades.

Get the tutorial at Mama.Papa.Bubba.

The Colors of Me

The Colors of Us should be on every child’s reading list. Pair the book with this activity as you mix paint colors to different skin tones. If you’re trying this at home, we suggest looking through the book to match the skin colors described like “cinnamon” and “chocolate frosting.”

Get the tutorial at Teaching with Haley and you can find a similar tutorial at Polished Playhouse. 

Matching Hearts

This simple activity introduces race with kids as they match skin-toned mini hearts with big ones using multicultural markers. Kids can color in the hearts or you can color them in advance. Don’t hesitate to mix and match the colored-hearts to show that we all belong together.

Get the tutorial at Happily Ever Mom.

Diversity Princess Activity

Your Disney fans will love this activity, which explores race and diversity with their favorite princesses. Ask them to color in the boxes based on the best shade for each character’s hair, skin and dress. You can easily expand this learning exercise to include other diverse toys you have at home, too.

Get the tutorial at Ashton’s Laughing Place.

Self Portrait

All you need is a mirror and some art supplies to draw a self portrait. Then your child can draw what they see! This is a great observation for kids to see their own skin color and to teach them some self-love that their skin is beautiful.

Get the tutorial at livinlavitanova.