Black History Month Coloring Pages and Activities

Black History Month coloring ideas

Class idea: color the bookmarks in the first week of February and hand them out with a library book by a Black author or about a Black inventor, scientist, artist or leader.

Every page can be coloured online on a phone, tablet or computer, or printed from its free US Letter or A4 PDF. Print the PDF at 100% so nothing is cut off.

About Black History Month

Black History Month is in February in the United States and Canada; the UK and Ireland mark it in October. Historian Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week in February 1926; since 1976 every US president has recognized February as Black History Month. (Library of Congress and partners). February was chosen because it holds the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (12 February) and Frederick Douglass (14 February).

These pages are a starting point, not a history lesson on their own: the lettering poster and bookmarks are for classroom displays and reading corners, and the Celebrate Black History page has badges for music, art, writing, space, science and inventions to pair with books about real people. We draw symbols, patterns and places rather than portraits.

For preschool and kindergarten, the poster, the peace dove and the hands together page have the biggest shapes. The word search (13×13 with diagonals) and the quote page suit grades 3 to 6.

Black History Month questions

When is Black History Month 2027?

February 2027, from Monday 1 February to Sunday 28 February, in the US and Canada. In the UK it is in October.

Who started Black History Month?

Historian Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week in February 1926. It grew into Black History Month, which US presidents have recognized every February since 1976.

Are these Black History Month coloring pages free?

Yes. Every page is free to print or color online at home or school, with no sign-up, and each has a US Letter and an A4 PDF.

Is there a Black History Month word search with answers?

Yes. It has 14 words such as heritage, courage, justice and jazz, and the answer key is on page 2 of the PDF.