Ancient Civilizations

Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids

December 23, 2018 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

You’ll love this quick and easy ancient China paper making activity. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China right around 100 BC during the Han Dynasty?

Prior to the invention of paper as we know it there was papyrus and parchment that people could write on, but it was expensive and very difficult to make.

In China expensive silk was also used but that was reserved for only the very wealthy.

That means that it was not readily available to everyone.

Did you know that the smooth white paper you write on everyday got its start in Ancient China? Your kids will love this quick and easy Ancient Chinese paper making activity. CLICK HERE to add this fun hands-on history project to your homeschool curriculum!

Its invention meant that people of all economic backgrounds could learn and write.

Because it absorbed ink, forgery was harder and it made carrying a book so much easier! Just a stack of paper sheets is much lighter than carrying a dozen hand chiseled tablets across town. Teachers had to be smart and strong!

Ancient China Paper Making

Plant fibers and rags were soaked in water until they became a pulpy mush then they were mashed and pressed onto screens in different sizes so that the water could drain off.

Once dry the paper was much lighter and easier to use than its heavier ancestor.

Since bamboo and other plant fibers are not as readily available to us as it was in 100 BC we are going to improvise with our own paper making and use supplies that we have on hand so that we can still get an idea of the paper making process.

Chinese Paper Making Activity

For this activity you will need:

newspaper
art paper or construction paper
water
Hardware screen/window screen
wood/frame
a blender
plastic tub

You can buy paper making screens or you can make a simple one like we did here, by making a simple frame of wood scraps and stapling a square of hardware cloth to the back.

You could also do the same with a piece of window screen and the backside of a picture frame.

Tear your paper into smaller pieces, about 1” square.

Now we are going to hurry along our paper dissolving process by adding water and paper to a blender.

Run the blender until you get a nice watery pulp, add water as needed to make sure it purees up well, you can’t have too much water as it will drip off.

I used white drawing paper and one small piece of blue construction paper to get a very light blue shade.

In ancient China this process would have been done by a long soak of bark, hemp, bamboo, and other plant materials rather than a blender!

Lay the frame in a tub large enough to hold it and pour the mixture from the blender onto the screen, flatten it out with your fingers so that it is as smooth as you can get it.

Chinese Paper Making Activity

The trick is to pour slowly and move it rather than pouring a giant pile in the center.

Let most of the water drain off your screen until it is just a slow drip then carefully flip your screen to release the paper onto an absorbent surface, I used a sheet of craft felt for mine.

Press a stack of several paper towels or napkins on top and press to absorb some of the water.

Place a block of wood on top and press or even stand on it to press it flat and squeeze more water out. Allow your paper to dry completely- it may take a day or two depending on how much water is left in your paper at this point as well as the humidity in your area.

Once your paper is completely dry you can trim it with scissors if you like to make it a more uniform shape. Still not flat enough?

Lay it under a couple of heavy books for a few days and it will be smooth and flat for your writing.

Use a small paintbrush to paint a few basic Chinese characters as part of your studies.

Experiment with different types and colors of paper, brown paper bags make a nice parchment style paper, add a little color, and cut some into various shapes.

More Ancient China Hands-on History Activities for Kids

Ancient China Paper Making Fun Facts

Paper making hasn’t changed much in all these years, basically the process is the same with new technologies and methods added in.
China tried to keep the art of paper making a secret but it eventually spread.
A Chinese government official, Ts’ ai Lun, is credited with starting the paper making industry.
It was another 1000 years before paper making spread into other parts of Eurasia.
The original paper making was originally done with mainly hemp.
The oldest record of paper making that we have is dated 105 AD.
Combined with the invention of woodblock printing in 600 AD China was able to print its first newspaper in 740 AD.
How To Make Paper Look Old Craft With Kids

You’ll love some of these other fun hands-on Ancient Civilization kids activities:

Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity

November 30, 2018 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re doing a fun STEM irrigation in Ancient Mesopotamia activity.

The study of Mesopotamia is one of our middle school requirements

. I’ve been really surprised by how much fun we’ve been having studying about this time period.

I’m sure the STEM projects we have been including may have something to do with it! We have this next one ready which is an easy stem irrigation activity.

Ancient Mesopotamia STEM Irrigation Activity

With this project, kids learn how this ancient civilization invented a system to grow crops.

The most extraordinary thing about this is that we still use this system today.

Irrigation has been the main contributor in the development of agriculture.

If you are studying about erosion in science, this could also double as a great STEM project for science too.

About the Mesopotamians

In addition, Mesopotamia was a region situated along the Tigris-Euphrates River system located in Western Asia.

It’s where Kuwait, Iraq, sections of Saudi Arabia, the eastern sections of Syria, Southwestern Turkey, and parts of Turkish-Syrian and Iran-Iraq borders are today.

The name Mesopotamia means “between rivers.”

It’s said this was the center of culture and where the influence of agriculture began.

Agriculture changed the game for ancient people. Instead of hunting and gathering, tribes of people were beginning to settle down and form civilizations.

The Mesopotamians were the first to develop a written language and invented the wheel.

They also built ships to travel the Persian Gulf in order to trade with other civilizations.

In the center of their cities they constructed temples of the many gods they worshiped.

The anatomy of these structures would have involved thousands of workers and would have taken many years to construct.

More Ancient Mesopotamia Activities for Kids

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Mesopotamia’s Engineering

In Southern Mesopotamia, the Sumerians built city walls and canals to prevent flooding.

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers carried monstrous amounts of silt, resulting in fast rising rivers.

The irrigation system was of a basin type.

They would dig a hole in the embankment and then use mud to close it back up. Water was then lifted up using a swape, which is a pole acting as a lever.

Some of these canals may have been used for 1,000 years before they were left and others rebuilt.

Today, 3,000-4,000 years later, remains of the canals are still present.

To build your own Mesopotamia irrigation system you will need the following items:

a big baking pan
sand
cotton squares
water
pieces of wood/popsicle sticks
soil
green construction paper/green food coloring
sticks and leaves
monopoly houses
hot glue

Moreover, cover your table or do this outside. Have a trash can nearby, as this project tends to get messy.

Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System

I was able to find many of these supplies around the house. The only thing I had to buy was a big bag of sand from Home Depot.

Mesopotamia Irrigation System

This is what makes this STEM project really affordable. Start by filling up one side of the baking pan with cotton squares.

This will help prevent your sand from eroding when you fill up the river with water.

The other side will be the river. Play around with the sand until it begins to look like a beach.

After you get the look you want, begin sectioning off where you want to place the fields of crops. This is where you’ll need the soil.

Also, plan out little sections to build homes or temples to represent the cities.

Additionally, you’ll love these super hands-on history resources from Home School in the Woods.

Using green construction paper, or leaves, place your crops in the fields. You can dye some of your sand green to represent fields. Use the sticks and leaves to look like trees.

We used the hot glue gun to glue the leaves onto the sticks.

Move on now to build your canals.

Ancient Civilization Irrigation System

Begin digging trenches in between the fields with a ditch leading out towards your river. (You’ll fill in the river in just a bit!)

Now that your canals have been dug, you will need a gate to control how much water will be needed for your crops.

Furthermore, you can use popsicle sticks, pieces of wood, or sticks to build a gate to fit between the edges of your canal.

The gate will need to be able to open and close, and it will need to be water proof. We hot glued pieces of popsicle sticks together.

Once your gate is built, install it into your canal.

Pour water into your river with the gate shut. If the water leaks keep modifying your gate.

The river should not be released into the canals until the gate opens.

Begin digging trenches in between the fields with a ditch leading out towards your river. (You’ll fill in the river in just a bit!)

Now that your canals have been dug, you will need a gate to control how much water will be needed for your crops.

Use popsicle sticks, pieces of wood, or sticks to build a gate to fit between the edges of your canal.

The gate will need to be able to open and close, and it will need to be water proof. We hot glued pieces of popsicle sticks together.

Once your gate is built, install it into your canal. Pour water into your river with the gate shut. If the water leaks keep modifying your gate. The river should not be released into the canals until the gate opens.

Hands-on History for Kids

Next, search online for pictures of irrigation systems of Mesopotamia if you are stuck. I found an image to show my kids before I let them go.

They always surprise me with ways to build things that I never would have thought to do.

With this project, kids learn how this ancient civilization invented a system to grow crops. The most extraordinary thing about this is that we still use this system today! CLICK HERE to do this Ancient Mesopotamia Kids Hands-on History and STEM Irrigation Activity!

These ancient people were truly remarkable. I love being able to build small replicas of engineering systems so the kids can understand how they work.

Not only does it improve their comprehension of what is being read, it also improves their critical thinking as they try to build what they read!

You’ll love these other activities:

Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids

November 13, 2018 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This mud bricks for kids activity is fun. Also, look at my Ancient Civilization page for more Egyptian activities

Stone building was reserved for monuments. But other places the ancient Egyptians wanted to last forever.

However, basic buildings were constructed of brick.

For example,homes, tombs, palaces,and protective walls in Ancient Egypt were constructed of brick.

Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids

Prior to making bricks soil was used. However it was not very sturdy.

Back in Ancient Egypt they couldn’t just make a run to the brickyard to pick up a pallet or ten in their trucks.

Brick making was very hard, labor intensive work.

So they used Israelite slaves to first gather the materials, make the bricks, and then use them to build with.

They needed to use resources they had on hand to create sturdy bricks for building walls.

Mud Bricks for Kids

The first thing the Israelites had to do was gather sand, clay, and silt from the Nile.

The soil from the Nile River when dried became a black hard stone like substance, making for sturdy bricks.

Since we are not able to take a trip to the Nile River to gather our supplies, we are going to improvise and use materials that we can easily get our hands on.

You are going to need: topsoil, straw, water, and clay if you can easily get some.

Oh, and something to use as a mold. You can make mini bricks with an ice cube tray if you would actually like to construct a model of something using your bricks.

Or if you want to see a full sized brick you can make molds with wood, as the Israelite slaves did, or use something like a small square or rectangle pans.

We used a silicone soap mold we had from another project for ours.

Ancient Egypt – Israelites Mud Bricks

If your straw is larger you will want to chop it into small bits. Straw was a binder. It made the bricks even sturdier.

This is straw chaff.

I found these little straw bundles at the craft store but you can also find hay or straw at a feed store, or ask a friend with livestock for a a few handfuls.

Sometimes, they even used animal droppings to construct their bricks (we are gonna skip that part with our brick making).

Next, the Israelites had to work the mud and straw together.

They did this by trampling it with their feet to mix it up consistently.

Place your soil, straw and water in a large tub and try to mix it together the same way they did.

Ancient Egypt Kids Activity

Add just enough water so that your soil will hold together.

This will help your bricks dry faster.

The average size of bricks in Ancient Egypt was 8.7 x 4.3 x 5.5,.

Larger bricks were about 15.0 x 7.1 x5.5.

You can make your bricks any size you like.Remove the mud mixture from the tub and place it in your molds, press firmly into the mold to remove air bubbles.

Then, let it sit in the full sun for 1 day or until it is mostly dry.

At this point they would remove it from the mold and let it finish drying in the sun out of the mold.

Do the same with yours. Israelites left theirs to dry in the sun for 25 days.

Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids. Back in Ancient Egypt they couldn’t just make a run to the brickyard to pick up a pallet or ten in their trucks. Brick making was very hard, labor intensive work. So they used Israelite slaves to first gather the materials, make the bricks, and then use them to build with. They needed to use resources they had on hand to create sturdy bricks for building walls. CLICK here to make this fun diy mud bricks!

If you make smaller bricks they will obviously dry much faster.

Later on in history the bricks would be baked in a kiln to hasten drying time.

Once your brick is completely dry it is ready to be used for construction!

Think you could make 1000 to 2000 bricks a day? That is what the ancient Israelite slaves were required to do.

You’ll also love this huge Ancient Egypt lapbook and unit study from Home School in the Woods – one of my favorite hands-on history providers.

It would take an average of 5 days of brick making in order to have enough bricks to construct a small one story home for the worker.

Here are a few more interesting facts about mud bricks and the ancient Israelites…

Houses were built using mud bricks. Then, they were whitewashed to help deflect the brutal sun’s rays and keep the inside of the home more comfortable. Windows were placed high rather than lower like in modern homes to keep sand out and covered with reed mats. The roofs were flat.
While these bricks were sturdy, they were not able to stand the test of time. And that is why most of the remaining ancient Egyptian buildings that we have been able to study were made from stone rather than these mud bricks which eventually wore away.
Mud bricks were stamped with the cartouches of the reigning pharaoh. While many were lost some bricks still bear the stamp.
Israelite slave children as young as 4 were used to help make mud bricks.
While smaller bricks were more common they have discovered mud bricks that were as large as 1 meter in length.

You’ll love these other hands-on ideas for studying about Ancient Egypt:

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship

October 9, 2018 | 3 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, we’re making an Ancient Viking ship. Also, look at my page more Vikings Lapbook Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

We’ve been learning so much about early explorers such as the Vikings.

From reading fun books to STEM projects, this Viking Unit gave us a vast insight to where exploration began and helped set the stage for the Age of Exploration.

Studying the Vikings is not a standard that is mandated by our state, but I still wanted the kids to be interested in these explorers who were instrumental in changing the world.

There are many options for studying about the Vikings, but my love for hands-on learning drove me to find STEM projects to keep my engineering minded kids engaged.

Ancient Viking Ships

Since geography and map skills are important standards to be covered, I made sure to include map activities as well.

I decided to begin our history journey with the Vikings this year, and was able to create a fun, engaging unit in the process!

First, look at some of our favorite books about Vikings.

11 Viking Resources & Books for Multiple Ages

Grab some of these books and resources for multiple ages about Vikings.

Viking Adventure

Sigurd, a Viking boy, cannot see the value of learning to read and write. All he can think of is adventure. But then he has an adventure that he cannot help but tell. And to do that, he decides, he must learn to write. A fine story for young readers.

Guts & Glory: The Vikings (Guts & Glory, 2)

From battle-axe-wielding tribes plundering the greatest cities of Europe to powerful kings and queens ruling their dominions with iron fists, the Vikings were some of the most feared and fearless figures in European history. Find the bravest heroes, the most menacing villains, and unbelievably awesome facts and myths inside this action-packed overview that will amaze kids with tales of a people so incredible...it's hard to believe they were real.

Viking: Discover the Story of the Vikings―Their Ships, Weapons, Legends, and Saga of War

The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures. Loaded with superb color photographs of Viking ships and swords, clothes and shields, memorial stones and beautiful brooches, this revised and updated edition of Eyewitness: Viking offers a unique view into the lives of the Norse people and their outstanding achievements.

LEGO Creator Viking Ship

Kids can experience thrilling adventures on land and sea with this 3in1 set featuring a toy Viking ship, Viking house and Fenris wolf figure

A Child's Introduction to Norse Mythology: Odin, Thor, Loki, and Other Viking Gods, Goddesses, Giants, and Monsters

The newest book in the best-selling, award-winning A Child's Introduction series explores the popular and captivating world of Norse mythology. Organized into two parts, part one introduces characters like Odin, the leader of the Norse gods; Thor and his mighty hammer Mjollner; Frigg,
weaver of the destinies of humans and gods; frost and fire giants; cunning dwarves like Brokk and Eitri; and many more. Part two tells the stories of the suspenseful myths themselves including The Creation of the Cosmos, The Aesir-Vanir War, Loki Bound, Thor's Hammer and many more.

Renegade Game Studios Raiders of The North Sea,Multi-colored

Play Raiders of The North Sea, a worker-placement board game where players work to assemble a crew and outfit a longboat to raid settlements for gold and fame.(For 2-4 players)

Odd and the Frost Giants

Odd, a young Viking boy, is left fatherless following a raid. In his icy, ancient world there is no mercy for an unlucky soul with a crushed foot and no one to protect him. Fleeing to the woods, Odd stumbles upon and releases a trapped bear…and then Odd's destiny begins to change.

The eagle, bear, and fox Odd encounters are Norse gods, trapped in animal form by the evil frost giant who has conquered Asgard, the city of the gods. Now our hero must reclaim Thor's hammer, outwit the frost giants and release the gods…

Viking Quest Series Set of 5 Volumes Including Raiders From the Sea, Mystery of the Silver Coins, the Invisible Friend, Heart of Courage, and the Raider's Promise

Raiders from the Sea: Viking raiders capture Bree and her brother Devin and take them from their home in Ireland. After the young Viking prince Mikkel sets Devin free on the Irish coast far from home, Bree and Devin embark on separate journeys to courage. Readers will be captivated by the unfolding drama as Bree sails to Norway on the Viking ship and Devin travels the dangerous road home.

Black Fox of Lorne

Set in 1005 AD, twins Brus and Jan go a-Viking with their father Harald Redbeard and all their household. They plan to settle in England with Danish relatives there. But, their ships are caught in a fierce gale on the North Sea, and they are taken far off course to the western shore of Scotland. Held captive by a cunning Scottish Laird, Jan and Brus must navigate the political intrigue of chieftain, clan, and king without the help of their father, who has been killed and their mother, who is believed lost at sea. They follow adventure after adventure until they earn their freedom and find a home in Scotland at last.

Make This Viking Settlement (Usborne Cut-Out Models)

Printed on stiff card, this book contains templates to cut out and construct a model of a Viking settlement crammed with authentic detail. The base of the completed model measures 61 x 46cm, and includes 16 houses with doors and windows that open to reveal the details inside, and two Viking trading ships. It contains over 40 cut-out figures including merchants, traders and towns people to recreate scenes of everyday life in a bustling riverside settlement.

Who Were the Vikings Internet-Linked (Starting Point History)

Answers questions about the everyday life of the Vikings, including clothing, homes, religion, medical care, food, entertainment, ships, shops and towns, government, warfare, and the travels of the Northmen in Asia and the North Atlantic.

Hands-On Viking Unit: Geography

To do this activity you will need the following materials:

books about the Vikings (“You Wouldn’t Want to be a Viking Explorer”, “National Geographic Kids Everything Vikings”, Viking (DK Eyewitness Books))
blue poster board
reference map of the Viking routes
pencil
black fine tipped marker
orange/red/green paint
viking ship pattern

You also may want to have something to cover your table during this project.

I like to use Rosen paper from Home Depot. It’s durable enough to withhold spills and can be reused for other art projects.

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 1 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 2 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 3 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Using a pencil in case of mistakes, we drew out the shapes of the countries onto the blue poster board. When we were satisfied with our outline, we went over it with the black tipped marker.

We then painted the countries to represent the Viking’s homeland and their settlements.

We made a map key and labeled each country

You’ll love this idea too for studying around the world using picture books.

To get some writing into this activity, I had the kids write down some facts about the Vikings on ship templates. Then we glued them around the poster board.

Because I have engineering minded kids, it’s really hard to not do a whole unit without a STEM project.

To tie a little science into this history unit, we also completed a Viking Ship STEM challenge.

An important aspect to this challenge is researching the history and the anatomy of a Viking ship.

It was important for the kids to realize how the environment and the purpose of the ships affected the way they were designed.

Not only were Vikings barbaric warriors, they also had a mind for engineering.

They truly understood how to mold their engineering designs to fit their need of plundering, raiding and invading their neighbors!

Their ships were such a great design that it’s still in use today!

Hands On Viking Unit: STEM

Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography

To do this activity you will need the following materials:

an image of the anatomy of a Viking ship (there are many resources on the internet. Just google it.)
paper and pencil
ruler
8 popsicle sticks
2 straws
1 piece of card stock
2 strips of duct tape
stick of modeling clay
hot glue
scissors
markers or paint

The very first step of any type of STEM project should be the blueprint.

After researching and observing the design of a Viking ship, the kids determined how they could use the materials to build their own.

I made sure they drew out their ship, carefully labeling the materials they would use as the parts of their ships.

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 5 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 6 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Next, the kids used the hot glue to build up the design of their ship.With the card stock, markers, straws, and modeling clay, the kids designed their own sails.

Because the Vikings didn’t have a lot of materials in which to choose, I made sure to limit the amount of materials available to build the ships.

The kids got very creative in designing. Another thing I really like to do with STEM projects is to let the kids come up with their own ideas and designs.

I only give hints or ideas when I see them becoming frustrated.

Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography

STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship 7 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

After building, the kids tested out their design.

This is a very important step and one of the most fun!

After careful observation, the kids could see what parts of their ship needed modification.

Also, you’ll love the hands-on ideas from Home School in the Woods.

Hands on Ancient Viking Ship | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Helpful Hints

To build the hull, use popsicle sticks and hot glue. Make the bow tall enough so water won’t submerge and sink the ship. The bow and stern should be the same height since Viking designed their ships to travel either way.
For the keel, use more popsicle sticks to create and place on the underside of the hull. This should run from bow to stern. The keel counteracts the side to side motion of the ship. Test in water before proceeding.
Use a straw and card stock to build a sail and mast. Use modeling clay to attach the mast to the hull.
Add ballast if the ship needs more weight. Small amounts of modeling clay works well.
Keep modifying! Use a hair dryer to test your ship during a storm. A rudder may be needed to keep the ship on course.

From reading fun books to STEM projects, this Viking Unit gave us a vast insight to where exploration began and helped set the stage for the Age of Exploration.

Look at these other awesome hands-on ideas for studying Ancient Civilizations:

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map

September 21, 2018 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching your homeschoolers about ancient civilizations should be engaging and fun. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

After all, there is so much to learn about how we humans came together, created society, and learned to use tools to make our lives better. Every society in history is fascinating to study, but if you want to start at the beginning, Mesopotamia is the place.

According to Merry E. Weisner in Discovering the Western Past, historians and archaeologists define a city as “a place inhabited by more than 5,000 people.” The remains of the earliest communities of this size can be found in ancient Mesopotamia.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, located in what is now southern Iraq, has been called the cradle of the human race. It is considered by many to be the birthplace of western civilization.

Its location between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers is to blame. In fact, Mesopotamia means “the land between the rivers.” The rivers originate in the Armenian Highlands of Eastern Turkey and empty into the Persian Gulf.

The valley between these two long rivers had rich soil capable of producing abundant crops which could sustain an early civilization. Believe it or not, the region got very little rain even in ancient times. The soil was enriched with silt each spring when the rivers flooded due to snow melt in the upland mountains where the rivers began. The problem was that the rivers flooded with the snow melt and the times and amounts were unpredictable.

As rich as the soil was, it couldn’t be farmed unless people could control the flooding. They came up with a large-scale system of water control that included irrigation and drainage ditches, making it possible to grow crops on a regular basis. The resulting abundance of food enabled large numbers of people to live together and create a civilization.

Hands-on Ancient Civilizations

Sometimes it’s hard for kids to get a grasp on a place that existed 5,000 years ago. It sounds made-up and is hard to picture in the real, modern world. Learning about Mesopotamia should include all the cool facts, like the ziggurats that housed holy temples, the Code of Hammurabi, and cuneiform–the world’s oldest writing system.

But you should also make sure they understand exactly where it is. Maps will help, but creating a hands-on experience will help even more.

Hands-on learning is the best learning. When your kids engage in kinesthetic activities while you’re teaching them with auditory or visual methods, they can retain the information better.

In other words, the more ways you engage them in a lesson, the more they’ll remember what they’ve learned.

Especially when you’re dealing with something for which they can’t get a true visual (like the geography of an ancient civilization), giving them a hands-on activity to do can help them wrap their minds around the lesson.

Salt-Dough Map of Mesopotamia

Help your kids get a visual of Mesopotamia and remember where it is with this fun activity. Make sure you have some books or other materials for them to learn from along with their map-making.

What you need:

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map

A map of Mesopotamia for reference
Printable Map of Modern-Day Middle East
Printable Mesopotamia template
Laminator and laminating sheets (optional)
Tape
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
Blue, green, white, and brown craft or tempera paint
Paint brushes
Plastic knife

What you do:

Print out Map of Modern Day Middle East: In printer properties change multiple page function to “1 in 2×2 pages.” (This will allow your printer to print a larger map on 4 pages.) Or enlarge the map 200% on a copier
Laminate map pieces (optional)

Tape map pieces together

Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl
Add water slowly, stirring as you go
Mix until it resembles play dough–if it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour
Knead the dough for a couple of minutes till it’s easy to work with

Roll it out on a floured surface
Print and Cut out template of Mesopotamia and use it to shape salt dough, cutting away excess with plastic knife

Use the back of the plastic knife to trace the rivers onto the salt dough

Remove the template and deepen the river outlines in the salt dough with the back of the plastic knife; paint them blue

Use extra salt dough to add Armenian Highlands at the north end, keeping the flow of the rivers going through them; paint tips white and bases brown

Use finger tips to thin dough between rivers into a valley and paint valley green
Allow to dry several days or dry quickly in oven by covering loosely with foil and baking 20 minutes at 250F

Place your salt dough Mesopotamia on your map whenever you’re learning about the ancient civilization

Mesopotamia Geography

If you want your kids to get an even deeper experience of the geography of Mesopotamia, try these ideas:

Label the rivers on your salt dough map
Use black paint to make dots on your salt dough map that represent the cities of Mesopotamia (Babylon, Uruk, Ur, Eridu, Nineveh, and Susa)
Use white or another color to paint the borders of the 3 regions of Mesopotamia on your salt dough map (Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer)

Fun, useful, and memorable, this activity is sure to help your kids remember where Mesopotamia was and the topography that made it possible.

And also we love hands-on history activities from Home School in the Woods. Be sure to look over their beautiful timeline materials.

Don’t miss tutorials for a Salt Dough House from Ancient Mali and Egg Carton Rainbow Dragon from Ancient China.

You’ll love these other hands-on activities:

Written by KT of Lit Mama Homeschool

Ancient Civilizations

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Mesopotamia’s Engineering

Mesopotamia Irrigation System

Ancient Civilization Irrigation System

Hands-on History for Kids

Mud Bricks for Kids

Ancient Egypt – Israelites Mud Bricks

Ancient Egypt Kids Activity

Here are a few more interesting facts about mud bricks and the ancient Israelites…

Ancient Viking Ships

Hands-On Viking Unit: Geography

Hands On Viking Unit: STEM

Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia

Hands-on Ancient Civilizations

Salt-Dough Map of Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia Geography

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