There are many meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth with kids in NJ. Celebrating Juneteenth is only meaningful if you understand what’s being celebrated. Juneteenth (also referred to as Freedom Day) has a rich history and a special meaning. The end of slavery in America is still celebrated today, in the form of the Juneteenth celebration. The name comes from the melding of June and Nineteenth, or June 19th. This holiday marks the anniversary of when Texas learned that President Lincoln had declared slavery illegal. Texas was the final state to hear the news, so June 19, 1865, was when the last slaves were freed. It is a joyous occasion, punctuated by great feasts and gatherings of people.
Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Kids in NJ
Juneteenth gives African-Americans (and indeed everyone living in America) a sense of togetherness. You don’t have to be African-American to join in celebrating the anniversary of the end of slavery. By celebrating the Juneteenth holiday, you are celebrating a holiday just as important as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. There are many meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth with your family. Here is a listing of home activities, children book recommendations and Juneteenth events and celebrations in NJ. Happy Juneteenth!
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Home Activities to Celebrate Juneteenth
Family Feast: Plan a special meal and gather the family together to acknowledge Juneteenth. Decorate your table and door with a Juneteenth theme and discuss what the celebration means today. Red foods are customary for Juneteenth, the crimson a symbol of ingenuity and resilience in bondage. Food with red hues such as watermelon, hot sauce, spicy hot links, strawberry pie and red velvet cake are abundant. Also, red beverages, like strawberry soda, kola nut tea and hibiscus tea are popular as well. Charcoal-grilled meats, greens, black-eyed peas and teacakes are common, along with the assortment of foods and drinks with red hues.
Juneteenth Storytelling: Commemorate Juneteenth by going over African-American folktales, songs and hymns. Sing along to the songs and learn about their significance in getting slaves through tough times.
African Flags: Create African flags. Children can draw relatively simple African flags on construction paper. Afterward, the flags can be attached to string.
African Dance: Children can learn dances, such as the Juba and Ring Dance.
African-American Activities: Do activities deeply rooted in African-American tradition. Consider visiting an African-American Museum or taking your children to any public place that specializes in promoting African-American culture.
Gather with Friends: Plan a special gathering with friends to acknowledge Juneteenth. Invite your children’s friends and family for storytime (see below for book recommendations). Also, exchange facts or quotes from history.
Personal Reflection: Take some personal time to reflect and write in a journal.
Local Events: Attend a local family-friendly event.
Support Black-Owned Businesses: Seek out and support Black-owned businesses in your community—not just today, but every day.
We periodically feature Black-owned businesses on Familyhood Central®. Own a Black-owned business that offers products or services to families in NJ? Get featured in our Guide to Black-owned Businesses in NJ. Contact us for more info.
Top 10 Juneteenth Books for Kids
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
Juneteenth Jamboree by Carole Boston Weatherford
Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
Freedom’s Gifts: A Juneteenth Story by Valerie Wesley
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom by Charles Taylor
The Story of Juneteenth: An Interactive History Adventure by Steven Otfinoski
Juneteenth: Freedom Day by Muriel Miller Branch
Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
Tiny’s Emancipation by Linda Baten Johnson
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