What Is Racism?: questions to ask and activities to try
What is racism, and what can we do about it? What Is Racism? is a gentle lift-the-flap book that helps children and adults talk about it.
What age is it for? What Is Racism? is best for ages 4–7. Good for: Explaining racism to young children.
Read a few flaps at a time and let your child's questions lead. It's fine to say “I don't know, let's find out.”
What it helps with
- What racism is
- Fairness and kindness
- Standing up for others
- Talking about hard topics
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What is racism?”
- “How can it happen?”
- “How does it make people feel?”
- “Why is it never OK?”
- “What can we do?”
- “What would you do if you saw it?”
5-minute activities to try together
Kind words
Practise what to say if someone is unkind about another child's skin colour.
Fairness rules
Write family rules about treating everyone fairly.
Free printables: What Is Racism? worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
We Are All Born Free (Amnesty International)
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- Human rights, explained simply
- Age
- 6-9
The Proudest Blue (Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali and Hatem Aly)
- Best for
- Wearing hijab with pride, and sisterhood
- Age
- 4-8
Amazing Grace (Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch)
- Best for
- You can be anything you want to be
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.