Children are naturally curious about the world around them. From different cultures and foods to music, traditions, and celebrations, kids love discovering how life looks in other parts of the globe. By introducing them to global activities, we help them develop cultural awareness, empathy, and a sense of appreciation for diversity.
At The Kids Point, we believe learning about the world doesn’t need to be complicated. With simple, fun, and interactive activities, children can explore geography, traditions, languages, and more right from their homes, classrooms, or playgroups. This not only sparks curiosity but also builds an early foundation for global citizenship.
In this article, we’ll share simple and fun “around the world” activities for kids—from arts and crafts to games, food explorations, and storytelling—that encourage cultural learning in enjoyable ways.
Why Global Activities are Important for Kids
Before diving into the activities, let’s look at why it’s so valuable to teach kids about the world in hands-on ways:
- Builds Cultural Awareness: Kids learn to appreciate traditions, languages, and celebrations different from their own.
- Encourages Respect & Empathy: Understanding cultural differences fosters kindness and acceptance.
- Boosts Creativity & Curiosity: Exposure to new ideas, music, crafts, and foods inspires imagination.
- Improves Knowledge of Geography & History: Fun activities often tie into maps, landmarks, and stories.
- Prepares for a Globalized Future: Kids learn essential skills for thriving in a diverse world.
Now let’s explore some engaging activities you can do with children to travel the world—without leaving the room!
World Map Exploration
One of the simplest yet most engaging activities is working with a map or globe. Kids can visually see how countries connect, where oceans meet, and where their favorite animals or foods come from.
How to Do It:
- Print a large world map or use a globe.
- Give children stickers or markers to identify countries.
- Play a “find the country” game by naming a country and asking kids to locate it.
- For younger kids, focus on continents, oceans, and major landmarks.
Fun Extension: Let kids create a passport and stamp it each time they “visit” a country through another activity like crafts, food tasting, or storytelling.
International Flag Crafts
Flags are colorful, symbolic, and fascinating for kids. Making them is a creative way to learn about countries and their cultures.
Activity Ideas:
- Print blank flag templates and let kids color them with crayons or paints.
- Use construction paper or fabric scraps to make mini flag banners.
- Organize a “flag parade” where kids show off the ones they’ve made.
Learning Opportunity: Talk about what the colors and symbols on the flags mean. For example, Japan’s flag has a red circle representing the sun.
Taste the World: Food Adventures
Food is one of the best ways to experience culture. Kids can learn so much by tasting or cooking simple international recipes.
Ideas for a Global Snack Day:
- Mexico: Make simple quesadillas or guacamole.
- Italy: Try mini pizzas or pasta with tomato sauce.
- Japan: Make sushi rolls with cucumber and rice.
- India: Cook roti bread or mango lassi.
- France: Bake crepes with jam.
Fun Twist: Create a “world food passport” where kids stamp the country each time they try a new dish.
Around the World Music and Dance
Music is a universal language. Introducing kids to traditional songs and dances from around the world is both fun and educational.
Activities:
- Play different types of music—African drums, Irish folk, Indian classical, or Latin salsa.
- Let kids make simple instruments like shakers, drums, or maracas.
- Teach easy dance moves from different cultures, such as flamenco hand claps, Hawaiian hula, or African circle dances.
This helps children connect with rhythm, expression, and traditions globally.
Storytelling from Around the World
Every culture has its own folktales, myths, and legends. Storytelling not only sparks imagination but also gives kids a glimpse into cultural values.
How to Do It:
- Choose picture books or folk stories from different countries.
- Let kids act out the stories with simple costumes or puppets.
- Encourage kids to retell the story in their own words.
Examples of Stories:
- “Anansi the Spider” from West Africa.
- “The Dragon’s Pearl” from China.
- “The Rainbow Serpent” from Australia’s Aboriginal culture.
Language Exploration Games
Even learning just a few words in another language can be fun and rewarding. Kids love saying “hello” or “thank you” in new ways.
Fun Ideas:
- Make flashcards with greetings in different languages (e.g., “Hola” in Spanish, “Bonjour” in French, “Konnichiwa” in Japanese).
- Play a “greeting around the world” game where kids greet each other in various languages.
- Watch short cartoons or listen to songs in other languages.
This builds an early appreciation for language learning.
Cultural Dress-Up and Fashion Show
Many countries have traditional clothing that is unique and beautiful. Kids can learn a lot by exploring global dress styles.
Activity Ideas:
- Print or show pictures of traditional clothes from India, Japan, Mexico, and other places.
- Let kids design paper dolls with international outfits.
- Organize a mini “world fashion show” where they dress up in costumes or DIY outfits inspired by global traditions.
Festivals and Celebrations at Home
Celebrations are an exciting way to learn about culture. Re-creating simple elements of a festival gives kids a firsthand experience.
Examples:
- Chinese New Year: Make red lanterns and paper dragons.
- Diwali (India): Decorate with candles and rangoli patterns.
- Carnival (Brazil): Create colorful masks and dance to samba music.
- Hanukkah (Jewish): Learn the dreidel game.
- Day of the Dead (Mexico): Decorate paper skulls.
This helps kids appreciate global traditions and values of joy, family, and togetherness.
Art and Craft from Different Cultures
Arts and crafts are a hands-on way for kids to explore global creativity.
Ideas:
- Aboriginal dot paintings from Australia.
- Origami paper folding from Japan.
- African tribal masks made with cardboard and paint.
- Native American dreamcatchers with yarn and beads.
- Mexican piñatas filled with candy or toys.
Through art, kids see how creativity is expressed across cultures.
Traditional Games from Around the World
Children everywhere love games, and many traditional ones are easy to play anywhere.
Examples:
- Luksong Baka (Philippines): A jumping game.
- El Gato y el Ratón (Mexico): “Cat and Mouse” tag game.
- Duck-Duck-Goose (USA): Classic circle game.
- Kabaddi (India): Tag-and-hold breath challenge.
- Tangram (China): Puzzle with shapes.
Not only are these games fun, but they also teach kids how play is universal.
Pen Pals and Virtual Travel
If possible, connecting kids with pen pals from other countries is a powerful activity. Writing letters or exchanging drawings helps children make real friendships abroad.
Alternatively, virtual tours (like Google Earth or museum tours online) let kids explore landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China, or the Pyramids of Egypt.
DIY Travel Journal
A travel journal—even if it’s “pretend travel”—is a great way to track learning. Kids can:
- Draw flags and maps.
- Paste pictures of foods and landmarks.
- Write short reflections like “Today I visited Mexico and made tacos.”
Over time, they’ll have their own personalized “world adventure book.”
Animal Safari Around the World
Children love animals, and this is a fun way to combine geography with nature.
Activity:
- Learn about animals by continent (e.g., kangaroos in Australia, pandas in China, lions in Africa).
- Use toy animals or coloring pages to explore habitats.
- Play “guess the country” with animal clues.
This is especially exciting for younger kids.
Cooking Classes for Kids: Mini Chefs Around the World
Older children can take it a step further by learning simple cooking techniques from different cuisines. They can prepare snacks, learn food traditions, and even host a “global dinner night” at home.
This not only introduces them to new tastes but also teaches practical life skills.
Travel-Themed Board Games and Puzzles
Board games are another excellent way to explore the world. Some fun options include:
- Ticket to Ride (travel across countries by train).
- Where in the World? (geography trivia).
- DIY puzzles of maps and landmarks.
Tips for Parents and Teachers
- Keep activities age-appropriate and simple.
- Involve kids in planning (let them choose which country to explore).
- Celebrate small achievements, like learning five new words.
- Encourage curiosity—when kids ask “why,” take time to explain cultural meanings.
FAQs
Why are around the world activities important for kids?
They help children learn about different cultures, traditions, and languages while building respect, empathy, and curiosity.
What are some easy global activities for young kids?
Simple crafts, tasting international foods, listening to music, and exploring maps are fun and age-friendly ways to learn.
Can these activities be done at home or in the classroom?
Yes! They work well in both settings and can be adapted to fit family playtime, school projects, or group activities.
Final Thoughts on Simple and Fun Around the World Activities
Learning about the world doesn’t require expensive trips or complicated lessons. With creativity, parents and teachers can bring cultural exploration into everyday play. From cooking simple recipes and listening to international music to celebrating festivals and making crafts, these activities help kids experience the richness of global diversity in fun ways.
At The Kids Point, we encourage families and educators to use these activities to inspire curiosity, respect, and love for different cultures. By guiding children to explore the world with open hearts and minds, we prepare them to become thoughtful, compassionate global citizens.