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ancient civilizations

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

August 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching ancient history to young children can be daunting, make Israel crafts for preschoolers to simplify it and help them understand. Also, look at my Ancient Civilization page for more activities.

We’re making a mini-Torah Scroll as we talk about this important part of Jewish culture.

They are a reminder of the rich history and tradition of the Jewish people.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

The Torah is used for religious ceremonies.

For example, it is used at weddings, funerals and are also read in synagogue every week.

The Torah is the most important religious text in Judaism.

Judaism is a religion some people around the world follow.

Even if you’re not Jewish, the Torah is still important because it helps us understand different cultures and traditions.

Learning about it can help us appreciate the diversity of the world and the different ways people find meaning and purpose in their lives.

What’s Inside the Torah

 It is a scroll that contains the first five books of the Hebrew Bible- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Each book teaches different things:

Genesis (Bereshit)-Tells the story of creation and the early history of humanity. Includes the stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, and the Tower of Babel.

Exodus (Shemot)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ enslavement in Egypt and their liberation under the leadership of Moses. It includes the Ten Commandments.

Leviticus (Vayikra)-Contains laws and regulations governing the lives of the Israelites. Includes instructions for sacrifices, festivals, and other religious observances.

Numbers (Bemidbar)-Tells the story of the Israelites’ journey through the desert to the Promised Land. Includes the census of the Israelites and the story of Korah’s rebellion.

Deuteronomy (Devarim)- Summarizes the law and history of Israel. Includes Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Israel is very important to the Torah as it is a Jewish-majority state, and the Torah has a profound influence on the country’s laws, politics, and society.

Share some of these interesting facts about Torah Scrolls as you learn about and enjoy making Israel crafts for preschoolers.

You can include your older children as well.

Books About Ancient Civilizations

Next, look at these other books to include in your study about ancient civilizations.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

Image for The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

Image for The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Image for Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Image for Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Image for Activity Study: Great Empires
Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Image for Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Image for Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Image for Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

Image for History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Image for Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

Image for DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Additionally, look at these facts about the Torah.

9 Facts about Torah Scroll

  1. The Torah lays out 613 laws for Jews to live by, including the Ten Commandments.
  2. The Torah scroll is written by hand.
  3. There are 304,805 letters in the Torah scroll.
  4. The Torah scroll is divided into 54 weekly portions.
  5. Torah scrolls are written on parchment, which is a special type of animal skin.
  6. The text is written in Hebrew, and it is read from right to left.
  7. Torah scrolls are very long, and they can be up to 100 feet long! They are kept in a special case called an ark.
  8. The Torah scroll is usually read from a lectern called a bimah.
  9. Torah scrolls are very expensive, a single Torah scroll can cost up to $100,000.
Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Additionally, look at more hands-on ideas to learn about Ancient Israel.

More Activities to Learn About Ancient Israel

You can use a map or atlas to help your child identify Israel on a map.

DK First Atlas is wonderful for young children and has a nice section on the Middle East, including facts, photos, and of course the map.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

For another hands-on activity that focuses on ancient Israel try making these Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids to demonstrate how labor intensive life was for many during these times.

A wonderfully easy but impactful lesson, Color by Number Israel Map, lets children become familiar with the diverse geography of Israel.

This is a really cool experiment that models the Dead Sea in Israel, testing buoyancy of extremely salty water.

Finally, look at how to make mini Torah Scrolls.

How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

You will need:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Copy paper
  • Paint
  • paintbrushes
  • Glue
  • Craft sticks
Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

First, paint both sides of the craft sticks.

If they are not long enough you may have to use two on each side to be sure that it shows out either end of the toilet paper roll.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Paint both toilet paper rolls your desired color, inside and out. 

Allow the paint to dry completely and then glue the painted craft sticks inside the rolls.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Cut copy paper into strips just slightly smaller than the width of the toilet paper rolls-3 ½”.

You will only need a few strips.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Apply a thin layer of glue to one end of the strip with a paintbrush and overlap them making it as long as you would like.

Alternatively if you have paper on a roll you can use that instead.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Let your child write their name or something else on the strips. We decided to write the modern Hebrew alphabet.

Do this first in pencil. You can find a simple copy of the letters here on Wikipedia.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Now, have your child over it in marker or crayon to build writing skills.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

Glue each end of the paper to either painted roll and hold in place until dry.

Easy Israel Crafts for Preschoolers: How to Make Mini Torah Scrolls

You can hold it down with a wooden clothespin for a few hours until dry.

The Torah is a special and important book with stories and lessons that can inspire and guide us all.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, homeschool, Israel, Jewish

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

July 20, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making an Ancient Egyptian collar craft. Also, there are more Ancient Civilization hands-on ideas on my page.

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity.

Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming.

And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

One of the most famous forms of jewelry worn by the ancient Egyptians was the Usekh collar.

Rich Egyptians often wore these broad necklaces on a daily basis.

Even though Egyptian men often went shirtless, they still liked to wear the Usekh. That’s how commonly it was worn.

So – for a fun, hands-on history activity, we decided to make our own Ancient Egyptian collar craft! See how we designed ours!

Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

To design our Egyptian collar, we studied some examples of actual Usekh collars that have been found by archaeologists.

This one was found on the mummified body of Pharaoh Amenemhat III’s daughter, Neferuptah.

Neferuptah’s Necklace 2012

Naturally, a collar worn by a member of the royal family would be gorgeous and this one is.

Look at all those individual beads that were hand-strung! It must have taken quite a while to make.

Archaeologists have even found images of collars inscribed in relief inside burial tombs.

More Ancient Egypt Crafts

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard
  • Ancient Egypt DIY Simple and Fun Mummification Process Game
  • Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy
  • Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
  • The Geronimo Stilton Book Fourth Journey Fun Egypt Game
  • Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars

Also, look at these books about Egypt.

17 Ancient Egypt Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library and use them for a day of learning or for unit studies.

Image for The Egypt Game

The Egypt Game

The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she’s not sure they have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard, Melanie and April decide it’s the perfect spot for the Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians, and they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it’s just a game until strange things start happening. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?

Image for Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)

These stories include the great myths - of Amen-Ra, who created all the creatures in the world; of Isis, seaching the waters for her dead husband Osiris; of the Bennu Bird and the Book of Thoth. But there are also tales told for pleasure about magic, treasure and adventure - even the first ever Cinderella story.

Image for The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)

For more than 3,000 years, Egypt was a great civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River. But when its cities crumbled to dust, Egypt’s culture and the secrets of its hieroglyphic writings were also lost. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to slowly reveal the history of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.

Image for The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

The Buildings of Ancient Egypt

Uses archeological evidence to describe the construction, decoration, and furnishings of ancient Egyptian tombs, pyramids, and homes

Image for Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Science in Ancient Egypt (Science of the Past)

Discusses the achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and technology.

Image for Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

Great Ancient Egypt Projects: You Can Build Yourself

From reed boats, papyrus, and amulets, to pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the fascinating lives of ancient Egyptians through more than25 hands-on building projects and activities. Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself gives readers today a chance to experience how the ancient Egyptians lived, cooked, worked, worshipped, entertained themselves, and interacted with their neighbors through building projects that use common household supplies.Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project are combined with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia for the real-life models of each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life in ancient Egypt.

Image for The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children's Classics)

The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Dover Children's Classics)

Chebron, the young son of an Egyptian high priest, and Amuba, a young slave in the boy's household, are close friends; but their lives are greatly altered when Chebron accidentally kills a cat, an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians. Forced to flee for their safety, the boys and their companions begin a long and dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure story, this is also a tale packed with historical facts. Among other fascinating details, young readers learn about the Egyptian religion and geography, how the Nile was used for irrigation, and how the Egyptians made war and were prepared for burial. A captivating book that accurately describes life in a once magnificent civilization, this volume will especially appeal to youngsters fascinated by the life and customs of ancient Egypt.

Image for A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid (A History of Ancient Egypt, 1)

A History of Ancient Egypt: From the First Farmers to the Great Pyramid (A History of Ancient Egypt, 1)

The ancient world comes to life in the first volume in a two book series on the history of Egypt, spanning the first farmers to the construction of the pyramids. Famed archaeologist John Romer draws on a lifetime of research to tell one history's greatest stories; how, over more than a thousand years, a society of farmers created a rich, vivid world where one of the most astounding of all human-made landmarks, the Great Pyramid, was built. Immersing the reader in the Egypt of the past, Romer examines and challenges the long-held theories about what archaeological finds mean and what stories they tell about how the Egyptians lived. More than just an account of one of the most fascinating periods of history, this engrossing book asks readers to take a step back and question what they've learned about Egypt in the past. Fans of Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra and history buffs will be captivated by this re-telling of Egyptian history, written by one of the top Egyptologists in the world.

Image for Boy of the Pyramids

Boy of the Pyramids

The pictured wall of an Egyptian tomb supplied the inspiration for this unusual story, which takes place during the building of the Great Pyramid of Khufu more than 4,000 years ago. Kaffe and Sari, an Egyptian noble's son and a slave girl from the nomadic Sand People of the Sinai region, help solve a troublesome mystery and trap its culprit. All told against a colorfully detailed backdrop of ancient Egypt.

Image for The Golden Goblet

The Golden Goblet

Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu's abuse is by changing his destiny. But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu's room and he knows his luck−and his destiny−are about to change.

Image for Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs

In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. Champollion’s dream was to sail up the Nile in Egypt and uncover the secrets of the past, and he dedicated the next twenty years to the challenge.James Rumford introduces the remarkable man who deciphered the ancient Egyptian script and fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process. Stunning watercolors bring Champollion’s adventure to life in a story that challenges the mind and touches the heart.

Image for The Egyptian Cinderella

The Egyptian Cinderella

This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.

Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing—no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile.

So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself? And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper’s owner and make her queen of all Egypt?

Image for Augustus Caesar's World

Augustus Caesar's World

In her unique approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do, she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. Her keen intuition for stories will especially delight and amuse youthful readers. In Augustus Caesar's World, Foster traces the seven major civilizations of Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Within this timeframe readers will learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid. Foster will then take her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India and so on. Foster's detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text.

Image for The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

The Lost Queen of Egypt: The Tomb of Nefertiti

For professor of Egyptology Henry Markham, this would be the crowning glory of his career: an intact tomb of Nefertiti, the great royal wife of Akhenaten and the heretic pharaoh of eighteenth dynasty Egypt, whose bust of exquisite beauty resides in the Berlin Museum, which he had searched for the last ten years. He had an unspoken passion for her only excelled by his young assistant, Steven Sinclair, whose visions and dreams of her haunted him, much to the annoyance of Helen Carter, the freelance journalist on-site who, with her business partner Mike Mitcham, the digs photographer, saw Nefertiti as a rival for his affections. Thanks to a gambling debt, Mike finds himself the proud owner of a large luxury mobile home that four Mossad agents are interested in, along with Emil Brogini, who did a drug deal with two Mossad rogue agents since deceased. The arrival of Henry's estranged sister, Millicent, with her friend Jane Evesham, a gifted clairvoyant, does nothing to improve his temper, especially when Jane tells him they are in great danger. Can the danger come from four renegade Mossad agents or Emil Bratislav Brogini, Mr. Big in Cairo, into every racket going? Jane discovers that Helen has a latent gift of clairvoyance which, with their combined powers in a séance, sends them back to the eighteenth dynasty with Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and danger around every corner as they try to discover who is trying to kill them all using a large band of Libyan bandits. They survive ambushes, assassin's knives, and chariot chases, finally getting back to their own time with Nefertiti.

Image for Pyramid

Pyramid

Pyramid is a strong resource for readers looking to expand their knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization, history, and architecture.

Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay explores the philosophy of life and death in ancient Egypt through richly detailed black-and-white illustrations and clear, concise text.

Though created with middle grade readers in mind, all with interest in the topic will enjoy this impressive look at what many consider to be one of the most awesome of humankind's creations.

Image for Pharaoh's Boat

Pharaoh's Boat

With poetic language and striking illustrations, Weitzman tells the story of how one of the greatest boats of ancient Egypt came to be built and built again.In the shadow of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the most skilled shipwrights in all of Egypt are building an enormous vessel that will transport Cheops, the mighty pharaoh, across the winding waterway and into a new world. Pharaoh's boat will be a wonder to behold, and well prepared for the voyage ahead. But no one, not even the Egyptian king himself, could have imagined just where the journey of Pharaoh's boat would ultimately lead.

Image for The Winged Cat

The Winged Cat

Merit is a servant girl in the temple of cat goddesses. In a rage, Waha, the High Priest, kills a sacred car, and Merit sees him do it.But when Merit reports the evil deed to Pharaoh, Waha denies that he is guilty.

Ours isn’t quite that ornate.

But it was a lot of fun to craft!

Egyptian Collar Craft

We used the following supplies to make our Ancient Egyptian collar craft:

  • A rectangular piece of posterboard (about 12 inches by 18 inches)
  • Yarn
  • A ruler
  • A pencil
  • Hole punch
  • Assorted color markers
  • Scissors
Tracing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Start by tracing the shape of your collar onto the posterboard.

I used a saucer and laid half of it on the posterboard edge to form the neckline.

Making a Paper Ancient Egypt Collar

Then I laid a dinner plate near the other end of the posterboard to form the outer edge of the collar.

Drawing a Paper Egyptian Collar

Trace both edges like so and you have the shape of your collar.

Designing an Ancient Egypt Collar

Then we cut the collar out and used the hole punch to put a hole in each of the top edges.

That’s where you will string the yarn later.

Making an Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Easy Hands-on Homeschool History

Use the ruler to draw several horizontal pencil lines across the collar with a pencil.

Our lines were about an inch and a half apart, but you can use whatever measurement you like.

Fun Hands-On History: Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

The goal is to create a different design on each line.

That gives the collar the “look” of an elaborate design.

Drawing Designs for an Ancient Egyptian Collar

Then start using your colored markers to add color and shapes as you work down the collar.

After adding your colors, go back and use a black marker to outline the different designs you made.

It makes them stand out more.

Making an Egyptian Collar Craft

See? Adding the black outline really defines the individual designs.

Continue working down the collar, alternating designs as you think of them.

The kids will love to come up with their own ideas for collar decorations!

Colorful Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

All done!

We went with bright colors, but if you have metallic markers, you can make a collar that actually looks like it’s made out of precious metals – just like the Egyptians would have made.

Finished Ancient Egyptian Collar Craft

Cut about a three-foot length of yarn and string it through the holes at the top of the collar.

Tie it to your child’s neck and let them feel like a rich Egyptian for a day!

This was such a fun activity.

It took us about 45 minutes to make our collar, so it was an eye-opening experience to see how much more time and effort the Egyptians put into making theirs.

It’s no wonder these necklaces were reserved for the elite!

You’ll also love how we used Home School in the Woods to learn about Ancient Egypt. We love their hands-on Ancient Egypt lapbooks.

Be sure to read even more hands-on history ideas for studying Ancient Egypt!

  • Ancient Egypt Narmer Crown Dough Activity
  • Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game
  • How to Make Smokin’ Hot Egyptian Pillars Out of Cardboard

Written by Selena of Look! We’re Learning!

Ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations to experience genuine prosperity. Because the people lived near a reliable water source, food was abundant for farming. And that left them plenty of time to indulge in a few luxuries, including elaborate hairstyles, culture, and jewelry. Click here to make this fun collar craft!

2 CommentsFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool

Hands-on Homeschool History Free Ancient Civilization Cards for O Ring

June 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have another set ready for the easy and interactive hands on homeschool history on an O ring series that I want to do. Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations page.

Adding the cards today, which are for Ancient Civilizations, I now have 4 sets of cards.

These cards have very general information and I made them so we can hit broad strokes when studying these topics and as a way to memorize some of our unit studies.

Hands-on Homeschool History Free Ancient Civilization Cards for O Ring

The four I have done so far are

  • Westward Ho,
  • The Titanic,
  • French and Indian War

And today, like I mentioned are the Ancient Civilizations.

Because I may study some of our history topics several times with each child, I have been wanting to make up these cards to allow my sons a way to study independently.

Too, through the years I have had one son interested in delving deeper into one topic that another son may not be so interested in.

A remedy to that problem is to make these O rings which they can grab, and do interactively.

This way if they are not as interested in a topic, at least they know some broad strokes about that topic.

Ancient Civilization Resources for Kids

Next, look at some of these fun resources for learning about Ancient Civilizations.

13 Ancient Civilization Hands-on Resources and Books

Add some of these fun resources to your unit study or study for the day of Ancient Civilizations.

Image for The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

The Greeks Pop-up: Pop-up Book to Make Yourself (Ancient Civilisations Pop-Ups)

Tarquin Popups are a special kind of do it yourself activity book. Not only is there the fun of making the scenes and seeing them popup but they are full of interesting information and ideas. This book contains six main scenes to make: Knossos, the Palace of Minos, the Lion Gate at Mycenae, the Battle of Salamis, the Golden Age of Athens, the Theatre, Alexander the Great and King Porus.

Image for The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

The Ancient Egypt Pop-up Book:

A magnificently illustrated, interactive pop-up book chronicles the history of ancient Egypt and its diverse cultural innovations, covering everything to the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the elaborate mummification process, to the mysterious rites performed at an Egyptian god's temple and the ancient hieroglyphic writings.

Image for Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors: An Activity Guide (Cultures of the Ancient World)

Children can try their hand at re-creating ancient Israelite culture—along with the cultures of their neighbors, the Philistines and Phoenicians—in a way that will provide perspective on current events. The book covers a key period from the Israelites’ settlement in Canaan in 1200 B.C.E. to their return from exile in Babylonia in 538 B.C.E. This part of the Middle East—no larger than modern-day Michigan—was the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. More than 35 projects include stomping grapes into juice, building a model Phoenician trading ship, making a Philistine headdress, and writing on a broken clay pot. Israelites', Phoenicians', and Philistines' writing and languages, the way they built their homes, the food they ate, the clothes they wore, and the work they did, and of course, their many interesting stories.

Image for Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters

The new National Geographic Treasury of Greek Mythology offers timeless stories of Greek myths in a beautiful new volume. Brought to life with lyrical text by award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli and stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Christina Balit, the tales of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, and Athena and heroes and monsters such as Helen of Troy, Perseus, and Medusa will fascinate and engage children’s imaginations.

Image for Activity Study: Great Empires
Photo Credit: store.homeschoolinthewoods.com

Activity Study: Great Empires

Included in this study are over 35 projects, games, recipes, links, and the history of fourteen empires! Generally, each empire's materials can be covered in 1-3 days

Image for Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Romans: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Rome

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt Activity Book For Kids: Ancient Egypt

Is your child fascinated by Ancient Egypt? if so then this Ancient Egypt themed activity book is just for them. This is a great book for boys and girls who have an interest in Ancient Egypt. This Ancient Egypt themed activity book will keep them entertained and happy for hours.

Image for Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself)

Great Ancient China Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the incredible ingenuity and history of ancient China with 25 hands-on projects for readers ages 9 and up. Great Ancient China Projects covers topics from porcelain pottery, paper, gunpowder, and dynasties, to martial arts, medicinal healers, jade carvers, and terracotta warriors.

Image for Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Life in Ancient Greece (Build It Yourself)

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

Image for Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

Sumerian Mythology: History for kids: A captivating guide to ancient Sumerian history,Sumerian myths of Sumerian Gods, Goddesses, and Monsters

What humans call “civilization” didn’t always exist. We didn’t always live in big cities, have roads to get places easier, or grow food on farms. For a long time, humans were hunter-gatherers. Hunter-gatherers wandered from place to place looking for food. They didn’t build homes or stay in one place. The Sumerians, as far as we know, were the first people to start a civilization.

Image for History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations, Grades 1-3

The book includes the following pockets:

  • What Is History?
  • Ancient Mesopotamia
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Greece
  • Ancient Rome
  • Ancient China
  • Ancient Aztec World

This resource contains teacher support pages, reproducible student pages, and an answer key.

Image for Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids: Her Life and World, with 21 Activities (69)

Cleopatra has been called intelligent and scheming, ambitious and ruthless, sensual and indulgent. This unique biography captures the excitement of her life story, including portions that have been largely neglected, such as her interest in literature and science and her role as a mother, and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt for Kids also includes maps, time lines, online resources, a glossary, and 21 engaging hands-on activities to help readers better appreciate the ancient culture.

Image for DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

DIY Ancient Egypt Box, Learn About Geography and World History, Hands on Learning for Kids

HANDS ON LEARNING: Supernow educational boxes includes an adventure box with 4 hands-on projects and interactive digital content to bring the projects to life!

INTERACTIVE PLAY: Kids get a monthly adventure box that serves as a portal to an immersive adventure. Participate in an unfolding mission by attending live, interactive classes and solving fun clues.

Also, if you want to flesh out your study on these topics, then look at my pages, which match up with these history cards.

  • Lapbook and unit study for Westward Ho.
  • Lapbook and unit  study for the Titanic.
  • Lapbook and unit study for the French and Indian War.
  • Lapbook and unit study for Ancient Civilizations Page I and Page II.

I plan to do another set soon, so hope you enjoy these.

How to Get the Free Ancient Civilization History Cards

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That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.
2) Grab the freebie now.
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Free History Cards. Put on an O ring and learn facts about Ancient Civilizations, Westward Ho, the Titanic and the French and Indian War. Grab them @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic}, Ancient Civilizations, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources, Science Based Tagged With: ancient civilizations, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, lewis and clark, lewisandclark, titanic, westwardho

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

May 17, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Hands-on ancient China activities are a great way to get kids interested in learning about the ancient dynasties that once ruled China. Also, look at my post Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History.

I have an inexpensive and fun activity today.

It not only acts as a physical example of a tool created by the Han Dynasty but can also be used to practice simple math.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

You can get all the items at your local Dollar Tree.

And it makes this project cost less than $5 and if they are items that you already have on hand, even better it is a free lesson.

Even young children can benefit from the cognitive benefits of sorting and counting the simplest of numbers on an abacus.

But as you will see below there are many ways that older kids can use this simple learning tool.

Move over calculator.

An abacus is an ancient tool that is used for counting.

Made of a framed set of rods with beads or balls, the beads are moved across the rods to make calculations.

This amazing tool was invented in China during the second century BCE (Han Dynasty).

It was used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and even more complicated equations.

The abacus is just one of the many amazing inventions that the Ancient Chinese gave to the world.

Among other invention by Ancient China are silk, the compass, acupuncture, tea, paper, gunpowder, porcelain, moveable type printing, and tea.

That is just the short list.

There is much more, and these are still used very much in today’s world. I for one am thankful for hot cups of herbal tea and pretty porcelain cups to sip it out of.

Ancient China Books

First, look at some of these living books.

We try to add living books first then add reference books to round out our study of Ancient China.

12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Ancient China. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

Image for Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

Zheng He, The Great Chinese Explorer: A Bilingual Story of Adventure and Discovery

In the West, legendary explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ernest Shackleton and Sir Edmund Hillary are a recognized part of our history. But in China, that legend belongs to the great explorer Zheng He (1371–1433), who lived during China's renowned Ming Dynasty. Zheng He, the Great Chinese Explorer is a bilingual (English and Chinese) tale of his adventures.

When he was a child, Zheng He dreamed of foreign lands, his imagination was inspired by the travels of his father and grandfather and the wonderful items they brought back from trading trips to the West. A simple but exotic porcelain vase in cobalt, a color not found in China at the time, drove Zheng He to discover the origins of this unique color—and become one of the most famous explorers in China's history.

Image for Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey

Eighty years before Columbus, China sent ships to explore the world.The Chinese discovered many marvelous things, but one discovery stood out above the others: the chee-lin.This chee-lin was just a giraffe, but to the Chinese it was an omen of good fortune so rare that it had appeared only once before—at the birth of Confucius.

Image for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

A Time Magazine 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time selection!​A Reader’s Digest Best Children’s Book of All Time​!This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to SilverIn the valley of Fruitless mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Image for Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Science and Scientists (True Stories From Ancient China)

Ancient China has a long history of scientific excellence. Learn more about some of China’s greatest scientific wonders and the scientists who studied them. Features stories about astronomy, seismology, mathematics, calendar-making, and geography.

Image for The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

The Warlord's Beads (Warlord's Series)

Clever Chuan devises a simple way for his father to quickly and accurately count all the warlord's treasure.

Image for The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The Five Chinese Brothers (Paperstar)

The classic picture book about five clever brothers, each with a different extraordinary ability, has been in print for almost 80 years."An original nonsense tale told with...spirit and gusto." -- The Horn Book

Image for The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

The Great Wall Of China (Aladdin Picture Books)

Angela FIsher's The Great Wall is an "awe-inspiring, impressive, black and gray illustrations set the tone for this history of the building of the Great Wall of China." (School Library Journal)

Image for The Story about Ping

The Story about Ping

No one can deny the appeal of the book's hero, Ping, the spirited little duck who lives on a boat on the Yangtze River. Ping's misadventures one night while exploring the world around his home form the basis of this timeless classic, which is brought to life by Kurt Wiese's warm and poignant illustrations.

Image for In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Serving as the seat of imperial power for six centuries, the Forbidden City is one of China's most famous and enigmatic landmarks. Accompanied by a mischievous cat, readers will tour this colossal architectural structure, discovering the secrets hidden inside the palace walls. They will encounter the people who have walked through its halls and gardens, including emperors, empresses, and rebel leaders, and hear exciting tales about the power struggles and intrigues of everyday life.This large format book conveys the grandeur of the Forbidden City through highly detailed line drawings of its buildings, gardens, and courtyards with numerous fold-out spreads. Each page is populated by a large variety of characters and peppered with entertaining anecdotes. Every book includes a plastic magnifying glass for looking at the drawings more closely."Readers receive a lavish tour of the Forbidden City, once home to Chinese emperors and now a museum, courtesy of Chiu and the Design and Cultural Studies Workshop, which he founded. Delicate line drawings highlight the architectural intricacies of the nearly 178-acre complex (several foldout spreads emphasize its size) while Chiu examines the Ming and Qing dynasties in thorough detail, along with major events in the palace's history. (In one foldout scene, 24 emperors offer pithy, even brusque notes on their reigns — "I was entirely unaccomplished," says Emperor Longqing.) A magnifying glass is wisely included to help readers appreciate the wealth of visual detail." — Publishers Weekly

Image for The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall

DID YOU KNOW that China was named after its first emperor – the brilliant, all-powerful emperor who built The Great Wall? In this book, discover why he started building the Wall, how he made China the biggest country on earth, and what treasures he hid in his secret tomb. Find out how he became one of the most important people in the history of China. Read all about the first emperor’s fascinating life in The Emperor Who Built The Great Wall.The simple language and beautiful illustrations make this book a wonderful reader or bedtime story. It is suitable for all ages, but children aged six to twelve years will especially enjoy reading this book.~ About the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA… Series ~China has a long history, but its many stories are often too complex for children. In this series, Jillian Lin retells China’s best historical tales so they are easy and fun to read. Children will embark on a journey through time where they will get a glimpse inside the colorful lives of famous Chinese figures. Beautiful illustrations, gripping stories, and fascinating facts make these books wonderful readers or bedtime stories for ages six and above. Other titles in this series include:The King Without A Throne (Confucius)The Mountain Man Of Music (Zhu Zaiyu)The Miracle Doctor (Hua Tuo)The Girl Who Became Emperor (Wu Zetian)The Dreamer Of Stars (Zhang Heng)The Greatest Explorer In The World (Zheng He)The Pirate King (Koxinga/Zheng Chenggong)

Image for Where Is the Great Wall?

Where Is the Great Wall?

More than two thousand years ago, with his land under constant attack from nomads, the First Emperor of China came up with a simple solution: build a wall to keep out enemies. It was a wall that kept growing and growing. But its construction came at a huge cost: it is believed that more than a million Chinese died building it, earning the wall its nickname--the longest cemetery on earth. Through the story of the wall, Patricia Brennan Demuth is able to tell the story of China itself, the rise and fall of dynasties, the greatness of its culture, and its present-day status as a Communist world power.

Image for DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient China: Discover the History of Imperial China―from the Great Wall to the Days of the La

A spectacular and informative guide to the history of the great Chinese empire and the customs and traditions of its people.  Stunning real-life photographs and lifelike models offer a unique "eyewitness" view of life in imperial China, from its earliest beginnings in the Bronze Age to its final years in the early 20th century. See the stunning bronze work of the ancient Chinese and the beautiful techniques used for Chinese calligraphy. Learn why the First Emperor created the Terracotta Army, what kinds of goods were carried along the Silk Route, who invented paper, and much, much more. 

Additionally, look a few ways to use an abacus.

5 Ways to Use An Abacus

  • Count to 10.
  • Practice simple addition and subtraction.
  • Divide and multiply within 10 or higher.
  • Count by 2’s ,5’s, or 10’s.
  • Demonstrate fractions.

Here is a more definitive explanation of how to use the compass to perform these operations- Best Way to Use an Abacus For Basic Math Operations.

Next, look at these ancient China activities.

8 Ancient China Activities

  1. Grab a white plate from Dollar Tree and some permanent markers to recreate this Kids Ancient China Activity | How To Make a Simple Ming Dynasty Craft plate, a wonderful keepsake of your study.
  2. Fashion ancient Chinese Bamboo Scrolls with string and wooden craft sticks, use them to write names, silly phrases, and more.
  3. For the kid who loves a fun deep dive on a subject check out my Free Ancient China Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History it includes a great list of books for reference as well.
  4. Build a Sugar Cube Great Wall of China and talk about the different parts of and the purpose of the wall as you put a length of it together.
  5. Quick and Easy Ancient Chinese Paper making for Kids
  6. Ancient China Mini-Theme Unit.
  7. This idea stands well on its own or is a great way to decorate the outside of a DIY lapbook for the Great Wall- How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper.
  8. The History Unboxed -Ancient China Unboxed is affordable and includes some really neat information as well as hands on activities like -Coloring the Great Wall, excavate your own ancient Chinese replica artifact, taste an ancient preparation of tea, decorate and fly an ancient style of kite, and making a magnetic compass.
8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Finally, look at how to make an abacus.

How To Make An Abacus

You will need:

  • 8×10 frame
  • 10 wooden skewers
  • 100 colorful beads
  • Hot glue gun/glue sticks
8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

First, remove the glass in the backing from your frame.

You can just throw them away or set them aside for another project.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Cut a skewer to just shy of 8” (about 7 15/16”) to fit it inside the border of the frame.

It needs to fit snug but not bent so that the beads slide freely.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Use it as a template to cut out 9 more to the same length.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Space skewers in the frame and mark the spot on each side so that they are each just a little less than 1” apart and level across.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Remove the skewers.

Then add 10 beads to each skewer.

Too, you can mix colors but I prefer the method of using one color for each line.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Replace the beaded skewers into their spot in the frame and hot glue each end into place securely.

Allow glue to harden completely before moving and using the abacus.

If you want to finish the back you could take a second frame with the back and glass removed and hot glue back-to-back. This will also make it sturdier for extended use.

8 Ancient China Activities For Kids | How To Make An Abacus

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: Ancient China, ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, math

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

March 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If your child thrives on hands-on learning here are some ancient history card games that they will love. Also, look at my page Kids History Games for more fun history game ideas.

These 10 games cover different areas of ancient history in a fun way that gets kids excited about learning.

And truth be told they really just think they are enjoying a game night (or afternoon) with the family.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Some are ready to go games to purchase and a few are free to print and simple to set up options from around the internet.

Card games are great because they are easy to take wherever you go to your co-op, waiting in restaurants, or even on a picnic to the park. 

They are also great for teaching strategy, problem solving, concentration, attention, critical thinking, and encouraging socialization.

Ancient history spans all continents inhabited by humans from 3000 BC – AD 500.

There were 10 major civilizations of ancient history during this period, each making contributions to art, science, government, and culture.

They were spread from the Fertile crescent to the Americas and here is a breakdown of each for you to use as you move through teaching about ancient history.

Ancient History Timeline

Mesopotamia

  •  Sumerian Civilization-4th millennium BCE – 2nd millennium BCE
  •  Akkadian Empire- 24th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  •  Babylonian Empire-18th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Assyrian Empire-25th century BCE – 7th century BCE

Egypt           

  • Early Dynastic Period-31st century BCE – 27th century BCE
  • Old Kingdom-27th century BCE – 22nd century BCE
  • Middle Kingdom- 21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • New Kingdom- 16th century BCE – 11th century BCE

Indus Valley Civilization      

  • Mature Indus Valley Civ.-26th century BCE – 19th century BCE

China           

  •  Xia Dynasty-21st century BCE – 17th century BCE
  • Shang Dynasty-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Zhou Dynasty- 11th BCE – 3rd century BCE
  • Qin Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 2nd century BCE
  • Han Dynasty- 3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE

Greece        

  • Mycenaean Civilization-17th century BCE – 11th century BCE
  • Archaic Period-8th century BCE – 6th century BCE
  • Classical Period-5th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Hellenistic Period-4th century BCE – 1st century BCE

Ancient Rome          

  • Roman Kingdom-8th century BCE – 5th century BCE
  •  Roman Republic-5th century BCE – 1st century BCE
  • Roman Empire-1st century BCE – 5th century CE

Persian Empire        

  • Achaemenid Empire-6th century BCE – 4th century BCE
  • Parthian Empire-3rd century BCE – 3rd century CE
  •  Sasanian Empire-3rd century CE – 7th century CE
10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning

Maya Civilization      

  •  Preclassic Period-2000 BCE – 250 CE
  • Classic Period -250 CE – 900 CE

Aztec Empire

  • 14th century CE –16th century CE

Inca Empire  

  • 15th century CE –16th century CE

Also, to add more fun to your history card games, look at the links below.

  • Ancient Civilization
  • Ancient Civilization II
  • Homeschool Free Lapbook Ideas
  • 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
  • 13 Free and Fun BEST Printable History Board Game
  • Easy Hands-on Fun Ancient Greek Games for Kids DIY Knucklebones
  • 15 World History Board Games Guaranteed to Make Learning Fun
  • How To Upcycle A Monopoly Game History to A Medieval Theme & Free Printables
  • 7 Wonders Architects | Strategy Game

Fun Ancient History Card Games

Next, look at these ancient history card games to add fun to your unit study.

10 Ancient History Card Games for Kids

Hands-on history makes learning stick and adding these cards to your history homeschool days will help kids make a connection.

Image for Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

Free Ancient Greece Lapbook

Print and try my Free Ancient Greece Go Fish Game – Ancient Greece Unit Study, it is the perfect accompaniment to learning about ancient Greece facts from the first Olympic games to their impressive architecture.

Image for Professor Noggin's Ancient Civilizations Trivia Card Game

Professor Noggin's Ancient Civilizations Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: Step back in time to explore lost, but not forgotten, Ancient Civilizations. Discover facts about ancient places, philosophers, buildings, arts, clothing, empires and more on this historical journey.

Image for Zeus on the Loose – A Card Game of Mythic Proportions

Zeus on the Loose – A Card Game of Mythic Proportions

Zeus on The Loose is a silly fun card game that covers many gods and goddesses of  Greek mythology so if you are studying this topic it is a must have card game for familiarizing them with names while it sneaks in a little math as well.

Image for Age of Civilization Strategy Card Game

Age of Civilization Strategy Card Game

DEVELOPS YOUR CRITICAL SKILLS - During the game, players will have use the cards to reveal different challenges to overcome. Each kingdom has different strengths and weaknesses and you
will need your wit and determination to develop a culture for your people, build your empire and conquer for glory!

Image for Wonders of The World Trivia Card Game

Wonders of The World Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: Fun facts about famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty or structures like the Eiffel Tower, as well as wonders like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Valley of the Kings each have their own topic card. This card game has awe inspiring landmarks from every time and
culture!

Image for Ancient Egypt Top Trumps Card Game

Ancient Egypt Top Trumps Card Game

Top Trumps travels to Ancient Egypt to explore a world of treasures, gods, pharaohs and mystery. Rated on Beauty, Ingenuity, Age, Height and Mystique, the pack contains everything from the breathtaking Sphinx and Great Pyramid to Nefertiti and the 'Boy King' Tutankhamun himself. The packs also features a list of key Egyptian gods, a timeline and a map of Ancient Egypt. For all you budding archaeologists, this is a must!

Image for Greek Mythology Matching Card Game
Photo Credit: deceptivelyeducational.blogspot.com

Greek Mythology Matching Card Game

 Here is another Greek Mythology Matching Card Game highlighting 16 different gods and goddesses of Greek mythology that can be played like a simple go fish or play it as a memory game.

Image for Ancient Knowledge - Strategy Card Game

Ancient Knowledge - Strategy Card Game

Heirs to an exceptional knowledge that has survived the ages, it is now up to you to preserve the vestiges of your civilization. Ancient Knowledge is a strategic card game in which you erect monuments and build artifacts to pass on your knowledge. Time will make your constructions ephemeral, so make the right decisions and combine the many cards at your disposal, because all knowledge is doomed to disappear... You are the oldest builders of this world, the last heirs of an illustrious civilization. Use your knowledge to ensure that its greatness endures over time!

Image for Timeline Twist Card Game

Timeline Twist Card Game

While it covers more than just ancient history spanning ancient history to modern, this is a great all around card game to reinforce timelines, the Timeline Twist Card Game.

Image for Aegean Sea - Strategy Card Game, Take Charge of Ancient Peoples

Aegean Sea - Strategy Card Game, Take Charge of Ancient Peoples

In Aegean Sea, you take charge of one of five ancient peoples (Sparta, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, or Rhodes) in a quest to lead them to great things!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: ancient, ancient civilizations, ancient egypt, Ancient Greece, ancientegypt, hands on history, hands-on activities

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