Don’t make the mistake of putting your elementary kids to sleep with boring history and geography textbooks! Instead, create an engaging unit that takes them around the world using foods, stories, and other fun activities from different cultures. They’ll have a blast learning about everything from the Eiffel Tower to Mount Kilimanjaro. So check out these fun around world elementary activities and get ready to take your students on an exciting journey across the globe!
1. Choose Countries on Inflatable Globes & Vote!
Kids can help plan their around-the-world unit! Give each student (or group of students) an inflatable world globe and have them pick two or three countries and vote. Students can circle the chosen countries on their globes to practice geography skills.
Learn More: Amazon
2. Introduce the Term “Culture” with a Video
Before diving into some engaging activities, it’s important to give kids a basic understanding of what culture is. Show them a short YouTube video or two that explains, in kid-friendly terms, and then have a class discussion about the variety of cultures.
Learn More: Growing Virtually
3. Practice Hemispheres and Time Differences
Introduce basic geography concepts such as hemispheres and time differences with a fun video and activities. For example, paint a globe orange and cut it in half! For older elementary kids, include some time zone math for cross-curricular learning.
Learn More: Bonbon Break
4. Make a Map out of Clay
After watching the videos and learning about the different countries, it’s time to get creative! Using air-dry clay, have kids sculpt their own versions of the world map or countries you’ve chosen. They can even add landmarks to their country maps using a book of maps for reference.
Learn More: Mom and Crafters
5. Create a Class Recipe Book
Food is a delicious way to learn about other cultures! Throughout the unit, make a point to try traditional recipes from each of the countries you’re studying. For example, you could enjoy French crepes, Italian pasta, or Japanese sushi. You can even create a class recipe book with cultural facts!
Learn More: Amazon
6. Read Folktales & Fairytales From Around the World
Folktales and fairy tales are another great way to introduce kids to different cultures. There are plenty of chapter books containing fairy tales and folktales from around the world. Read a story about each country you study and take them on a magical journey to different parts of the world.
Learn More: Amazon
7. Read About Cultural Differences
There are all sorts of picture books that feature kids from around the world. Reading these books with your class is a great way to help them understand that even though we’re all different, we’re also all the same. A favorite book for students is Kids Around the World.
Learn More: Amazon
8. Use Traditional Toys in the Classroom
One way to help kids understand different cultures is by using traditional toys from around the world. You can purchase these online or at import shops. Or for those on a limited budget, a video about toys from around the world will work as well!
Learn More: Children’s Classroom TV
9. Plant a World Garden
Get your hands dirty and plant a world garden with fruits, vegetables, and herbs from around the globe. This is a great way to teach kids about where different food items come from. Plus, they’ll love being able to taste the fruits of their labor!
Learn More: Matador Network
10. Build Replicas of World Icons
Get out the LEGO blocks or popsicle sticks and have kids build replicas of famous world structures. The Around the World Lego set includes 15 model ideas of world icons. This is a great way to learn about both geography and architecture!
Learn More: Amazon
11. Plan a Scavenger Hunt
An around-the-world scavenger hunt is a fun way to review what you’ve learned so far. Hide different items around the classroom or school and give kids clues to help them find them. Use tips from scavenger hunt experts to help you set it up correctly.
Learn More: Scavenger Hunt
12. Celebrate a Festival
An important part of each culture is its own unique holidays and festivals. Groups of students can create different festival corners for an around-the-world classroom tour. Use different books about countries and their festivals for reference.
Learn More: Amazon
13. Create Flags
A significant part of country research projects includes learning about the flags, but make it engaging! Students can create flags using colored paper, white paper, markers, and glue to make their own masterpieces. Provide a world flags book for easy reference.
Learn More: Amazon
14. Learn Traditional Songs & Dances
Music and dance are great ways to get kids engaged in learning about the world. Show videos of cultural songs and dances such as the ones from this playlist. Your kids might want to learn a few! This is also a great activity for learning about a variety of languages.
Learn More: Dagich
15. Play Traditional Games
Every culture seems to have traditional games that your students are sure to enjoy learning. You can even print cards with instructions that kids can take home to teach and play with their families!
Learn More: Parents
16. Make Culture Crafts
Students can create a mobile of icons from each of the countries studied if time is limited. Or they can create crafts from a variety of cultures. The Global Kids book has lots of ideas for crafts and also provides some great ideas for games and recipes too!
Learn More: Amazon
17. Have a Parade
What’s more fun than a parade? Have kids dress up in traditional clothing from around the world and carry traditional toys or other items. Using a comprehensive resource like Children Just Like Me is a great book for students to learn about different cultures before parading through the school halls.
Learn More: Amazon
18. Perform Cultural Plays
Another great cross-curricular activity for learning about a variety of languages and cultures is to have kids perform cultural plays. They can use a traditional folktale play or a modern play with an around-the-world theme.
Learn More: Amazon
19. Create a Classroom Museum
A great end-of-the-unit lesson and one of the most highly engaging activities! Create a classroom museum with items they’ve created along the way and artifacts you’ve provided from various cultures. Kids can take turns being the curator and explaining the items!
Learn More: Making a Mark
20. Create a Travel Brochure
Instead of boring country research projects, older elementary kids can create their own travel brochures! A more fun approach to geography and also a great review activity, they can then use these with their museum display.
Learn More: Canva
25 Transition Ideas For Elementary Students That Teachers Can Use Daily