6 ways to celebrate Women’s History Month with your kids

As far as I’m concerned, every month is Women’s History Month. But in March we get to celebrate it officially, and it’s the perfect opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and contributions women have made to every aspect of culture and society. What’s more, we get to teach kids—girls especially—about their place in that history, and inspire them to write their own. If you want to celebrate Women’s History Month but don’t know where to start, read on for six ways to honor heritage, create community and foster your child’s belief in themselves, so that they too can help change the world.

6 Women’s History Month activities for kids

1. Ask the women in your world to share their stories

Women’s History Month isn’t only about the famous figures in our culture. It’s also about celebrating and supporting the stories and strength of the women in our own lives. Have your child “interview” aunts, grandma and family friends to get multigenerational perspectives on the challenges women have faced and the obstacles they’ve overcome. Older kids can record the conversations, and even turn them into a podcast or mini movie. Younger ones can simply practice their interviewing skills by coming up with questions. Then turn the mic around and interview your child as well—find out what your daughter’s experience is like out in the world in her own words.

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2. Cook a dish passed down from the women in your family

Words aren’t the only way stories can be told. For generations women have been expressing themselves through food, and just about every family has at least one special recipe to show for it, whether it’s Nona’s legendary arancini or Abuelita’s famous flan. Choose a day to make one of your family’s most well-loved dishes and involve kids in the culinary process. Little ones can help measure ingredients, while older ones can read the recipe themselves and take charge in the kitchen. Be sure to share all you know of the recipe’s originator, and any memories you have that are tied to the dish—you’ll be making new ones as you do. Invite family or friends over to share the meal, or if it’s easily transportable, distribute the goods to your neighbors with a note about who the recipe came from and why you’re sharing it.

3. Choose a historical female figure to learn about each week day

There are so many incredible women, past and present, we want our kids to be familiar with, that learning about one a day barely begins to cover it. But it IS a wonderful start. And there are easy ways to integrate these little lessons into your daily routine, so that it feels organic rather than overwhelming (’cause who needs another daily to-do?). It could be as simple as choosing a bedtime story about Malala Yousafzai, and her fight for girls’ rights in Pakistan. Or having a living room dance party to an Aretha Franklin tune. Or, when your kid pulls out their iPad to finish a homework assignment, mention how they might not be able to do so without the work of Ada Lovelace, one of the world’s first computer programmers. You can help build on that knowledge and pique their curiosity even more with BrainPOP—the platform offers smart, educational storytelling and learning activities in a totally engaging way. You can start with topics about renowned architect Zaha Hadid and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, then sign up for a free trial for further exploration.

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4. Learn about women’s history in politics

The inroads women have made in politics is a crucial part of understanding how far we’ve come. Not only do we currently have our first female Vice President, but there are more women in Congress than ever before, making up more than a quarter of its 535 members. To learn more about women’s history in politics, diving into women’s suffrage is a good place to start. These kinds of broad topics can be a challenge to broach, but watching a short, animated movie about our path to the vote—from the Seneca Falls Convention to Sojourner Truth’s contributions—provides a perfect entree.  

5. Read stories written and illustrated by women

Books provide an instant spark for the imagination, and a familiar way to experience unfamiliar things for readers of every age. This month, help your kids choose books that not only feature female leads of all kinds, but are written and/or illustrated by women as well. When it comes to chapter books for early readers, Karen English, a Coretta Scott King Book Award winner, is a master of authenticity and accessibility. And you can’t go wrong with Judy Blume titles for tweens—they’re classics for a reason!  

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6. Visit a museum

Taking a trip to a local (or not so local) museum is always an edifying experience, but when you go with a mission in mind, it becomes a whole new adventure. Treat your visit like a scavenger hunt and look for different works of art by women—a painting, a photograph, a sculpture, a drawing. Discuss what you find and which pieces you enjoyed the most. Not only will kids gain an appreciation for female artists, they might even be inspired to flex their own creative muscles. When you get home, do a family project that has each member create their own work of art in the style of their favorite female artist. You might just have a mini Yayoi Kusama or Frida Kahlo on your hands!

Having a month dedicated to women’s history is an inspiring catalyst, but there’s no time limit on learning. These activities can be done year-round, and can be adapted for all kinds of cultural exploration. Your kids’ stories are just beginning, and this sort of fun-making, knowledge-building enrichment gives them just the right tools to tap in and tell them.