I have some Incan crafts for kids. Also, look at my page Meso-America Free Unit Study and Lapbook for more activities.
We’re going on a journey to learn about Incan jewelry, a sparkling part of history that’s full of amazing stories and stunning designs!
Grab a great reference book or two to use along with these ideas that I have gathered up.
The Incas were a fascinating civilization that lived in South America, mainly in what is now Peru, from the 15th to the 16th century.
They were known for their incredible architecture, like the famous Machu Picchu, and their impressive artwork.
And guess what? They also created some truly awesome jewelry!
There is also a tutorial for stunning salt dough Incan jewelry at the bottom, a great project for your learner to work on as you read about them.
Who Were the Incan
Before we get into these Incan crafts let’s learn a little bit more about these peoples who helped shape the generations that came after them.
- The Incas were an ancient civilization that lived in South America from the 13th to the 16th centuries. They were one of the largest and most advanced civilizations in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans.
- The Incas were known for their impressive stonework, their extensive road system, and their agricultural terraces. They also had a complex system of government and religion.
- The Inca Empire began in the Cuzco Valley in Peru. Over time, the Incas conquered many other tribes and kingdoms. At its peak, the Inca Empire stretched from present-day Ecuador to Chile and Argentina.
- The Incas were master builders. They built large cities, temples, and fortresses. They also built an extensive road system that connected all parts of their empire.
- The Incas were very skilled farmers. They used terraces to grow crops on steep mountainsides and built aqueducts to bring water to their fields.
- The Inca Empire was a powerful and prosperous civilization. But it was eventually conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Gold was the sacred metal of the Incan people.
They called it “the sweat of the sun god”.
The lore of their land of gold and silver is what led to the Spanish soldiers attacking the Inca for their treasures.
The Maya, Aztec, and Inca of Central and South America shared many common elements.
The groups practiced farming, developed social structures, raised up armies, and worshiped many gods.
But these three civilizations were as different as the terrains they called home.
Books about Meso-America For Kids
Next, look at some of these books to grab when learning about South America.
5 Resources for Learning about Meso-America, the Aztec, Inca, and Maya
Add some of these books to your unit study about Meso-America.
This fun, fact-filled book for kids ages 6–9 is the ultimate guide to three great civilizations of the American continents—the Maya, Incas, and Aztecs. Entertaining and educating young readers through a combination of close-up images, quirky trivia facts, quiz questions, and fascinating tidbits,
it’s the perfect book for any kid who can’t get enough of ancient history.
Journey back in time to experience the rise and fall of the Aztecs, as well as other Mesoamerican peoples, including the Incas and Mayas. You’ll explore their vast empires and lost worlds in spectacular detail, and meet their gods and goddesses and marvel at their precious stones. Join them farming and hunting, team up for sports and games, taste the food and drink, and dance at their celebrations. Then, after centuries of growth and progress, discover how the Spanish conquest
brought these civilizations crashing to their knees.
Track the facts about llamas and other animals of the Andes in this nonfiction companion to the bestselling Magic Tree House series!When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #34: Late Lunch with Llamas, they had lots of questions. Why do people raise llamas? What are llamas' closest relatives? How tall are the Andes mountains? What other animals live there? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts about llamas and the Andes.
An Incan boy who tends llamas in a hidden valley in Peru learns the traditions and secrets of his ancestors.
Fascinating account of three major civilizations that existed in the New World before Europeans arrived. How did they live? What did they achieve? What happened to them? Seeks to interpret history from a biblical perspective.
Also, look at more Incan crafts for kids activities.
More Incan Crafts for Kids
- Discovering Geography Through a Field Trip to Incan Ruins
- Recreate these Easy Nazca Lines Craft For Kids to demonstrate the unsolved mystery of the ancient markings found in the Peruvian desert.
- 7 Facts About the Inca Empire & Make a Fun Incan Ruins Model
- These Incan Inti Masks are simple to make with just cardboard and markers.
- One of the most important symbols to the Inca was the sun god, Inti, also known as Apu-Punchau, and appears in many of the artifacts found. Make your own version with a Metal Foil Inca Sun.
- Make 3D relief Peruvian Masks and talk about the importance to their culture in rituals, celebrations of patron saints, ceremonies, and special dances.
- Because the animal was so important to their culture for food, wool for clothing, and as pack animals we couldn’t leave out this Cardboard llama Weaving Craft.
For a book that’s some bang for your buck learning about the 3 different ancient civilizations we really enjoyed this DK Find out Maya, Incas, and Aztecs.
You get a little bit of info on a lot of topics like their food, children, gods, ceremonies, medicines, calendars, daily life and more.
Finally, look at how to make stunning salt dough Incan jewelry.
Make Stunning Salt Dough Incan Jewelry
Before you begin look through your books or online for Incan designs to model your jewelry after.
Because of the importance of gold to the Inca we painted our pieces gold.
You will need:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup table salt
- ½ cup water
- Craft paints
- Paintbrushes
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring cups
- Tools-toothpicks, rollers, craft sticks, straw etc
First. combine flour, salt, and water.
Mix until everything is incorporated, and the dough is fairly smooth.
Transfer to a smooth surface and knead for 2-3 minutes, if the dough is too sticky work a little flour into it as you knead it.
Roll dough to ¼” thickness or so, if you don’t have a roller, you can use a tin can or a cup.
Cut out your general design using cookie cutters, cups, or even a craft stick. we went with a ceremonial mask.
Use whatever tools you have on hand, forks, toothbrushes, toothpicks, wooden craft sticks, a clay knife, etc. to add details to your designs.
Roll small coils of clay or make little dots and add it to your pieces to add dimension, to help it stick you can add a tiny bit of water with your fingertip.
Use a straw to poke a hole at the top of your pendant design to put your string through.
Carefully transfer your jewelry to a baking sheet.
Then place it into an oven that has been preheated to 200 °.
Bake for an hour and a half and then flip.
How to Make Salt Dough Incan Jewelry With Kids
Then, bake for another hour and a half.
If it’s completely dried you can remove it if not bake for an additional hour or as needed.
Allow your pieces to cool a bit and then paint.
Once the paint is dried, run your string through the hole to create your necklace.
Or if you’re making earrings, you can glue earring posts to the back of the pieces.
We created a ceremonial mask that looks like a warrior
And a beautiful gold disc.
As well as a golden llama.
Incan jewelry is a beautiful reminder of how creativity and culture come together.
From dazzling gold to colorful stones, the Incas made jewelry that was as meaningful as it was beautiful.
