Hands-on Babylon activities like this cardboard Gate of Ishtar are a wonderful way to travel back in time and learn about the ancient world. Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas.
If you’re studying Ancient Mesopotamia, you simply can’t skip Babylon. Few cities in the ancient world were as powerful, beautiful, and influential as Babylon, especially during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II.
One of its most breathtaking landmarks was the legendary Ishtar Gate- a massive, bright blue entrance covered in animals and rich symbolism.
Today, we’ll explore hands-on Babylon activities and then create a Gate of Ishtar craft to bring history to life.
Babylon was located in ancient Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq. It rose to great power around 1800 BC and became famous under King Hammurabi, who created one of the earliest written law codes.
Later, under Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605–562 BC, Babylon became one of the most magnificent cities in the ancient world. He rebuilt temples, palaces, and city walls, and constructed the incredible Ishtar Gate around 575 BC.
BOOKS ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA FOR KIDS
Next, look at these books about Mesopotamia.
7 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq. In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.
Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.
5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.
Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives
Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.
Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.
Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.
Invites readers them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history.
Next, look at more activities.
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA FUN FACTS
- How To Craft A Fun Headdress: Mesopotamia Art And Craft
- Easy Mesopotamian Art: Make Your Own Clay Relief Masterpiece
- Ancient Mesopotamia Games & How To Make The Royal Game Of Ur
- How to Create An Easy LEGO Mesopotamia Chariot
- How To Make A Craft Of The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure & Review
- 10 Facts About Assyrians & How to Make a Battering Ram
- Discovering the Stars: The Astronomy of Mesopotamia and How to Make a Clay Star Pattern Tablet
- How to Make a Reed Sailboat: Ancient Mesopotamia Sailboat Facts
- The Food of Mesopotamia | How to Prepare Traditional Mersu
- Babylon Activities & How To Make The Gate Of Ishtar Craft
- How Mesopotamian Culture Shaped the World & Easy Gilgamesh Puppets
- A Journey Through Time: Easy Mesopotamian Pottery Craft With Kids
- Mesopotamian Himri Fun Facts and Fascinating Marine Life
The gate was part of a grand ceremonial road used for religious festivals, especially those honoring the goddess Ishtar.
5 FACTS ABOUT THE ISHTAR GATE
- It was made of kiln-fired bricks.
- Bricks were then coated with a deep cobalt blue glaze.
- Then decorated with rows of animals in raised relief.
- It was one of eight gates around the inner city of Babylon
- The animals were not random decorations. Each had meaning. For example, lions represented the goddess Ishtar. Bulls symbolized the storm god Adad. Mushhushshu, dragon-like creatures, represented the god Marduk, Babylon’s chief deity.
Today, a reconstructed version of the Ishtar Gate can be seen at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Archaeologists excavated the original gate in the early 1900s and transported much of it to Germany for preservation.
Also, look at the parts of the gate.
PARTS OF THE ISHTAR GATE
The Double Gate Structure
This is important: it was two gates, not one.
- Front Gate (Outer Gate)Smaller entrance.
- Main Gate (Inner Gate) Much larger and more elaborate.
The double design created depth and made the entrance feel even more powerful. For your craft, you could create two layers instead of a single flat panel.
The Central Arched Passageway
- At the center was a tall arched opening where people, chariots, and animals passed through.
- Rounded arch shape.
- Was very tall compared to the width.
- Heavy wooden doors were likely reinforced with metal.
Flanking Towers
On both sides of the gate were massive towers. These towers:
- The towers made the gate feel imposing and protected.
- Extended higher than the arch.
- Had decorative crenellations (tooth-like shapes) at the top, which made the gate look fortified.
Also, look at more Babylon activities.
HANDS- ON BABYLON ACTIVITIES
- This Hands-on Ancient Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity is fun and turns out beautifully.
- Create a Cuneiform Tablet– Use air-dry clay and a toothpick to press wedge-shaped symbols into the surface. Talk about how scribes used cuneiform writing for trade, laws, and records.
- Map the Fertile Crescent- Have your child locate Babylon on a map. Identify the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Discuss why civilizations developed near rivers (water, farming, transportation). This fun LEGO version is great for kinesthetic learners, creative kids, and anyone who enjoys LEGO.
- Study Ancient Law- Read a few simplified laws from Hammurabi’s Code. Here is a crossword to familiarize your child with the terminology.
Finally, look at how to make the Gate of Ishtar.
HOW TO MAKE THE GATE OF ISHTAR CRAFT
You will need:
- Cardboard or thick cardstock
- Blue paint (acrylic works best)
- Gold paint pen or brush
- Box cutter
- Pencil
- Ruler
I love using crafts like this to upcycle all those Amazon boxes around the house. They are free, sturdy, and make a great art medium.
Sketch out the basic outlines of the gate to get an idea of where to cut. I took advantage of the box’s flaps and used them for the flanking towers.
Draw a large rectangular gate with a rounded arch at the top, and outline the towers and gate opening as well. The real gate had a tall, majestic shape that was bold and symmetrical.
Use a box cutter or sturdy scissors to cut out the gate opening and the top shapes.
Paint the entire gate deep blue. Let dry completely. Explain that the Babylonians used glazed bricks to achieve that brilliant blue color, a sign of wealth and power.
Use a pencil and ruler to lightly draw horizontal brick lines across the gate.
Use a gold paint pen or paint and a very small detail brush to add the gold embellishment to the gate.
Continue adding details to resemble the gate.
Make repeated rows of lions, bulls, and dragons. Paint them gold or yellow to stand out against the blue background. Allow this paint to dry.
You can put your beautiful Gate of Ishtar on display for the entirety of your unit study.
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