Black History Month Activities for Children: Introducing Hidden Women

When we talk about Black History Month in the UK, children often learn important stories about racism, injustice and the struggles Black people have faced.

Those stories matter.

But they aren't the whole story.

Growing up in Zimbabwe, I didn't hear enough about the extraordinary Black women who helped shape history and the things they achieved.

Later, as a mum raising my children in the UK, I noticed something similar. They learnt about important moments of struggle and injustice in Black history, but far less about the queens, leaders, artists, thinkers and changemakers whose stories are also part of that history.

That is one of the reasons I created Hidden Women: Inspiring Stories from Black History.

A different kind of Black History Month activity

I'm an artist rather than a historian or teacher, so I wanted Hidden Women to approach history in the way that comes naturally to me — through art, curiosity and creativity.

The first pack introduces children to Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, who lived more than 400 years ago in the area we now know as Angola.

Nzinga became one of the most important rulers in the region, using diplomacy, alliances and military leadership as Portugal attempted to expand its control over land and trade. Hidden Women Education Pack

But rather than simply giving children facts to read, I wanted to encourage them to become curious.

·       Why have I painted Queen Nzinga with a lion?

·       What qualities might an animal represent?

·       What colours would you choose to represent courage or strength?

·       And, perhaps most importantly:

·       Who else deserves to be discovered?

·       What's inside Hidden Women?

The downloadable activity pack combines Black history, art and geography for children aged approximately 9–14.

Children are introduced to Queen Nzinga and the story behind my painting, as well as the way I use animals and symbolism within my African Queens collection. Hidden Women Education Pack

There are creative activities and prompts, a Queen Nzinga word search and facts challenge, a Skin-Tone Challenge, a Colour Challenge and opportunities for children to conduct their own research.

One activity asks children to find a Black woman they admire, think about three of her qualities and choose an animal to accompany her. Hidden Women Education Pack

At the end, rather than telling them who to discover next, I give them a few simple research prompts and ask:

Who else deserves to be discovered? Hidden Women Education Pack

There's also a short behind-the-scenes video from my studio, giving children a glimpse of me working on a painting inspired by Princess Mkabayi kaJama. Hidden Women Education Pack

Black history is part of our shared history

I also wanted to make something clear when I created Hidden Women:

This isn't a resource just for Black girls.

It's designed for children of every background, and for boys as well as girls.

I think boys benefit from encountering women as leaders, strategists and changemakers just as much as girls do.

And children from different backgrounds benefit from discovering people and perspectives they might not always encounter in the history they learn.

As I tell children in the pack:

These stories are for everyone.

Whatever their background, there is something to learn from the courage, creativity and achievements of the people who came before us. Hidden Women Education Pack

A printable Black History activity for home or school

Hidden Women can be used digitally or downloaded as an A4 landscape printable PDF.

Children can work through it at home, in school or as part of Black History Month activities, although I deliberately haven't made it an October-only resource.

These women deserve to be discovered throughout the year.

Hidden Women: Inspiring Stories from Black History is available now.