Craft + Activity: Make Canadian Black History Memory Cards

Looking for ways for you and your kids to celebrate and learn about prominent people in Canadian Black history? This creative activity and game is a fun way to remember the incredible Black people who have helped shape Canadian history over the centuries.

The process of selecting each person's image and finding interesting facts to include on their matching card was more fun than expected, and led to some inspiring discoveries. By the time I finished creating and decorating each card with my daughter, I felt like I had really expanded my awareness of Canada's rich Black history.

What You'll Need:

• computer and printer
• card stock paper (letter size or cue cards)
• white 8.5 x 11 paper
• printouts of 10 to 20 images sourced on the internet
• pencils (if you chose to draw each historical figure)
• fine drawing pens and markers
• glue
• scissors
• stickers, sparkles, etc.
• tempera or acrylic paint (optional)
• decorative paper or wrapping paper (optional)

How It's Made:

Source and research 10 to 15 prominent people in Canadian Black history that you would like to feature and learn more about. They can span all sectors and ages, or reflect your child's interest or curiosities (science, education, sports, arts, entertainment, politics, etc.).

You can check out these articles from the CBC Kids site that highlight iconic figures in Black Canadian history:

• 5 Black Canadians honoured on postage stamps
• 10 Black Canadian athletes who made history
• 5 Black Canadians who are leading the change

And for even more, check out this article from CBC News.

Here's who was on our list:

1. Viola Davis Desmond
2. Angela James
3. Violet King
4. Josiah Henson
5. Lincoln Alexander
6. Chisom Agbakwa
7. Carrie Best
8. Michael Lee Chin
9. Esmaa Mohamood
10. Marsha Greene
11. Biko Beauttah
12. Elicser Elliot
13. Oscar Peterson
14. James Minks
15. Itah Sadu

Bonus idea: You can also consider including prominent Black people from your own community or family if you identify as a member of Canada’s African Caribbean diaspora. When it comes to Black history, there are so many stories yet to be told, so if you can’t find them online, don’t hesitate to choose people you're proud of to feature in the game as well.

Once you have your list, find photos! One card should have their portrait, and one card should have their name and an interesting fact about them (like something they achieved, perhaps). 

Next, print all the images (any resolution is fine). Final images will be collaged, traced or drawn so it’s ideal to print at a size that will fit the cards you plan to create.

Now you can prepare 10 to 15 blank cards by using cue cards or by cutting an 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock in four.

The next step is up to you and your child. You can:

• Cut the printed images out, paste them on cardstock and decorate.
• Trace the images you printed onto a separate piece of white paper, colour them in and then paste the drawing on a piece of cardstock.
• Draw the images from scratch, then paste on a piece of cardstock.

Once the picture cards are done and decorated, it's time to make the matching cards.

Write the name of the corresponding person in big bold letters with an interesting fact below. If your child is younger, the facts can also be conveyed using visuals — for example, an image of the action they are famous for.

The final step adds a finishing touch to your cards. Cover each card with a uniform coat of acrylic paint and glue a piece of decorative paper to the back of each (just make sure the backs all match otherwise the differences will give the game away).

How It's Played

At this point, you've likely learned a lot about the featured people in Canadian Black history in your game, but now it’s time to see if your child can find them and remember each person's contribution.

This memory card game can be played with 1 to 4 players.

1. Each person takes a turn, flipping two cards over at the same time trying to find a matching pair.
2. If you get the cards right, you get to keep your selection. (And if you want, you can make more than 15 matches and have the person who finds a pair go again.)
3. If you get the cards wrong, you turn the cards back, and the next person takes a turn.
4. Go clockwise around the table until all the cards are matched.
5. Player with the most "knowledge" (i.e. cards) wins.

Bonus idea: This game can also be an opportunity to dig deeper and find out more. At the end of the activity, take a moment to debrief:

• Find out something that surprised or inspired your kid from what they learned and share what came up for you.
• Have a conversation and see if they have any additional questions you can find answers to together.
• You can also use the game as an entry point into more difficult topics like racism, how to break stereotypes that limit representation of Black people in the media, the BLM movement or how to share your newfound knowledge and creation with others.

Either way, have fun with it!