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mesopotamia

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

May 20, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have some easy Mexican crafts. Too, we’re making a fun taco craft but this would really be fun if you could make it a fun cooking day. Also, look at my pages Mexico Unit Study for more hands-on ideas.

Too, you will find more hands-on history on my page Meso-America Free Unit Study and Lapbook.

We’re learning about where tacos come from and learning some things about Mexican culture.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

One of the most important and fun things to know about delicious tacos is that you eat them with your hands. It’s like a fold up sandwich.

Just grab and go. And tacos can be eaten anywhere or for any meal, even for a dessert.

First, add some fun books about Mexico to your craft day.

BOOKS ABOUT MEXICO FOR KIDS

Sneak in a bit of learning while the kids are playing.

I always prefer living books first if I can find them.

10 Mexico Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

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

The Underdogs: A Novel of the Mexican Revolution (Penguin Classics)

The Underdogs is the first great novel about the first great revolution of the twentieth century. Demetrio Macias, a poor, illiterate Indian, must join the rebels to save his family. Courageous and charismatic, he earns a generalship in Pancho Villa’s army, only to become discouraged with the cause after it becomes hopelessly factionalized. At once a spare, moving depiction of the limits of political idealism, an authentic representation of Mexico’s peasant life, and a timeless portrait of revolution, The Underdogs is an iconic novel of the Latin American experience and a powerful novel about the disillusionment of war.

Stories from Mexico

Tales from Mexican folklore including The Palace of Canela, In Through the Window, The Coyote and the Sheep, The Cu Bird, and SenÄor Coyote and Juan's Maguey.

Adelita

Hace mucho tiempo—a long time ago—there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo—shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other.

Hill Of Fire (I Can Read, Book 3) (I Can Read Level 3)

Every day is the same for Pablo's father. Then one afternoon the ground growls, hisses smoke, and swallows up his plow. A volcano is erupting in the middle of his cornfield!

Mexico in Story and Pictures

Imagine

Have you ever imagined what you might be when you grow up? When he was very young, Juan Felipe Herrera picked chamomile flowers in windy fields and let tadpoles swim across his hands in a creek. He slept outside and learned to say good-bye to his amiguitoseach time his family moved to a new town. He went to school and taught himself to read and write English and filled paper pads with rivers of ink as he walked down the street after school. And when he grew up, he became the United States Poet Laureate and read his poems aloud on the steps of the Library of Congress. If he could do all of that . . . what could you do? With this illustrated poem of endless possibility, Juan Felipe Herrera and Lauren Castillo breathe magic into the hopes and dreams of readers searching
for their place in life.

Old Ramon

Fun novel combining Mexico and California cultures where a young boy learns about life and growing up.

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life.A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor BookALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors .

. . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths.

Growing Up In Aztec Times (Growing Up In series)

Describes the daily life of the Aztecs, discussing life in the city, life in the country, education, food and drink, and other aspects.

The Tale of Rabbit and Coyote

Poor Coyote! What’s he doing, hanging upside down in the farmer’s house, next to a pot of boiling water? How’d he wind up underneath the jicara tree, getting bonked by rock-hard fruit? Who tricked him into whacking a wasps’ nest with a stick? And why is he always howling at the moon? Because of Rabbit, that’s why! Longtime collaborators Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola look to the folklore of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this nutty, naughty tale of trickery and hijinks. Written with sly humor and illustrated in the vibrant golds, blues, and reds of the Southwest, this is a story with a flavor as distinctive as chile peppers.

Next, look at these easy Mexican crafts.

EASY MEXICAN CRAFTS

  • 5 Mexico Crafts For Preschoolers And Free Activity Pages
  • How to make paper rosettes and Señoritas 
  • Mexico Unit Study and Make a Fun Easy Floral Headband
  • I Spy Cinco de Mayo Free Printable
  • When Were Mayans Alive | The Vanishing Mayan Civilization Free Printable
  • Mexican Mirrors
  • Cardboard Box Guitar Craft for Kids
  • Maracas Craft

Then, look at some of these facts about tacos.

FACTS ABOUT MEXICAN TACOS

  • First, tacos come from Mexico but from a long time ago.
  • The ancient Aztecs, who were from Mexico, used flat corn tortillas to hold their food.
  • The word taco means light meal, plug or a wedge or wad.
  • Tortillas can be made from flour or corn but traditionally from corn.
  • Then the filling can be an endless list of delicious ingredients like meat, beans, eggs and even vegetables. Some love rice in them too as part of the filling.
  • Next, there is just as long list of toppings like cheese of your liking or Mexican cheese, sour cream, avocado, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro and don’t forget the salsa.
  • And like most countries where food differs from each region, tacos vary from region to region.

For example, there are tacos al pastor, tacos de carnitas, tacos de pescado (fish) and taco de barbacoa.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

Finally, look at this fun craft you can add to your study of Mexico or you can for go it and make some right now.

HOW TO MAKE A FUN MEXICAN TACO

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • 1 paper plate
  • Yellow paint and paintbrush
  • Construction paper (green, red, yellow)
  • Scissors
  • Glue
Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

 Fold a paper plate in half like a taco shell.

 Paint the outside of the folded plate yellow. Let it dry completely.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft


  Cut out your taco fillings from construction paper.

Lettuce: Cut green paper into leafy shapes.

Cheese: Cut yellow paper into small rectangles or strips.

Tomatoes: Cut red paper into circles.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

 Open the folded paper plate slightly.

And glue your “lettuce,” “cheese,” and “tomatoes” along the inside edge of the back side of the plate, so they stick out when the plate is folded.

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

Seal the taco.  

Easy Mexican Crafts: How to Make a Taco Craft

Apply glue along the inside edge of the front flap and press the two sides of the plate together to seal your taco.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, mesopotamia, Mexico

10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

February 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia and a fun unit study outline if you want to dive deeper into learning about them. Also, look at my page Ancient Civilizations for more ideas.

Studying about Ancient Mesopotamia doesn’t have to be hard.

True, we call it the cradle of civilization.

Why? They created writing, formed governments and built huge cities.

10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

And I’m sharing more than just 10 interesting facts about Mesopotamia.

For example, studying about some of the fascinating cities like Ur, Babylon and Sumer and how they lived should be presented in hands-on lessons.

Besides, try cuneiform writing while you learn that it was one of the earliest forms of writing.

Using a wedge-shaped tool that was pressed into clay they recorded important dates.

And the story The Epic of Gilgamesh is a legend still told today and his quest to find the secret to immortality.

BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA FOR KIDS

First, look at these books about Ancient Mesopotamia.

6 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Next, look at some hands-on activities to go with the facts learned about Mesopotamia.

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA ACTIVITIES

  • How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe
  • Ancient Mesopotamian Ziggurat Activity
  • Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity
  • Ancient Mesopotamian Cuneiform Activity
  • Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls
  • Epic of Gilgamesh for Kids
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline

Also, look at these interesting facts about Mesopotamia.

10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA

  1. Mesopotamians were excellent farmers, growing barley, wheat, and dates.
  2. The wheel was first used in Mesopotamia for making pottery.
  3. Ziggurats were huge pyramid-like structures built as temples to the gods.
  4. One of the earliest sets of written laws, called the Code of Hammurabi, came from Mesopotamia.
  5. Mesopotamia means “the land between two rivers.” It was located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  6. Instead of one big kingdom, Mesopotamia had many small city-states.
  7. The Hanging Gardens is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  8. Mesopotamians created a number system based on the number 60.
  9. Some more cool inventions by the Mesopotamians were the plow and sailboat.
  10. Rivers were important. For example, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided water for farming and helped with travel and trade.

Finally, look at this Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline.

ABOUT THE ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

My Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline is a handy tool to help you teach or for child led learning.

There are many advantages to a unit study outline instead of a fully fleshed out study.

For example, look at these ways an outline guides your study.

  • Outlines give you a clear structure.
  • They help break down big tasks into manageable steps.
  • Extensive lessons plans can make some kids lose focus.
  • And outline keeps the main topics to be learned on topic.
  • In addition, you can go down rabbit trails IF you want to. However, for some kids it can be overwhelming. You have the option to go deep or stay on topic with an outline.
  • Looking at the outline at a glance is a super roadmap. Again, you can go straight to your destination or facts or stay longer on an objective.
  • By listing an objective it guides you as the teacher to add your own slant.

For example, look at the topics covered in this outline.

  1. Introduction
  2. Geography and Environment
  3. Ancient Mesopotamian Civilizations
  4. Agriculture and Irrigation
  5. Writing and Communication
  6. Religion and Beliefs
  7. Science and Technology
  8. Trade and Commerce
  9. Arts and Crafts
  10. Exploration and Legacy
  11. Culminating Activity

HOW TO USE THE OUTLINE

Each topic has two or three topics or objectives for the subject. You decide which ones to use.

And if you stay on 1 topic per week and cover all 9 topics it would equal a 9 week unit study.

Additionally, only use the objectives on the topic your child is interested in and move on to other unit studies. This would make a shorter unit study.

For example, cover the introduction and perhaps the Persian culture for younger children.

Then save the other topics for when your children are older.

You will like this unit study outline if:

  • you want the freedom to flesh out topics and not be tied to day to day lesson plans
  • you prefer to flesh out day to day lesson plans or do not prefer them at all and
  • you want a guide for topics to study so you have a sweeping overview of the unit.

You will not like this unit study outline if:

  • you want to day to day lesson plans guiding each day and worksheets and
  • you don’t want to teach all your kids together.

HOW TO GET THE MESOPOTAMIA UNIT STUDY OUTLINE

You can download the printable Mesopotamia Unit Study Outline now!

All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store.

Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc.

10 Interesting Facts About Mesopotamia And Unit Study Outline
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Leave a CommentFiled Under: My Unit Studies {Free Printables & Hands-on Ideas} Tagged With: ancient civilizations, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, history, homeschool, mesopotamia, unit study outline

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

December 21, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m showing you how to make a very simple Ancient Mesopotamia bread recipe to get an idea of the most basic fare they would have eaten in ancient times. Also, look at Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity.

Bread was just one part of the diet enjoyed along the Tigris River in those very early days.

Food in Ancient Mesopotamia was a rich and varied diet.

It consisted of grains and produce that grew along the Fertile Crescent, meat from livestock animals, legumes, herbs and spices.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Archaeologists originally thought that Mesopotamians ate gruel as their main diet.

However, a French archeologist deciphered an Akkadian cuneiform tablet in the 1980’s that contained a Sumerian-Akkadian dictionary.

Within was a “cookbook” listing the words for over 800 different food items, with 20 different cheeses, 100 kinds of soup and 300 different breads. A very full and exciting meal plan indeed.

The fertile crescent had an abundance of water and rich soil making it the perfect place for early crops to grow. The water was also a big attraction for animals, making it a great place to hunt as well.

Sadly, the modern day Fertile Crescent is not very fertile due to the fact that in the 1950’s irrigation systems were put in place that carried the water away from the Mesopotamian marshes and made them dry up.

Here you can find some great information and an Easy STEM Irrigation Activity to learn more about how they were able to move water to spread over all their crops to make it such a place of plenty.

Food In Ancient Mesopotamia

Grains

The main crops during this time were barley, wheat, and millet.

Grains were ground into cereal grains and used in various recipes or ground as flour for bread.

Breads were made both leavened and unleavened (made without leaven- yeast or baking powder) as part of their diet.

Grains could also be made into a drink for consumption and were the base of a very popular drink for Mesopotamians – beer.

A flatbread is a bread that is made with flour; water, milk, yogurt, or other liquid; and salt, and then it is rolled into flattened dough. This is what we will be making today.

Produce

The rich soil made legumes such as onions, onions, garlic, melons, eggplants, and lettuce.

Also, apples grapes, plums, figs, dates, pomegranates, pistachios, eggplants, apricots cucumbers, and herbs.

Spices grew plentifully and made for a varied diet.

There has been evidence uncovered that food was not just eaten for the energy it provided to their bodies, but recipes were created and documented to make it an enjoyable experience and included a lot of variety.

Meat

Their meat came from livestock raised along the banks like goats, pork, cattle and sheep. They also caught fish and hunted gazelles, ducks, deer, and other wild game.

Meat was braised over large open fires to seal in juices.

It would then be trimmed and cut into small pieces where it simmered in a pot on stove over a long period of time, like a modern-day crock pot does.

Meat was also roasted, grilled, boiled, and cooked over a spit.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Also, you’ll love some of these books to add to your reading day.

I lean toward living books then like to add reference books.

Books About Mesopotamia

6 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Next, add these fun recipes.

 Ancient Mesopotamia Recipes to Try

  • Find out more about Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): and Cook Sebetu Rolls.
  • Cook Like an Ancient Mesopotamian With the World’s Oldest Recipes – Mersu and Meat Broth.
  • Try making Jacob’s Lentil Stew like the ancient Israelites would have eaten.
  • While the recipe isn’t ancient, the cuneiform is, and creating edible archeology with these Gingerbread Cuneiform Tablets provides a fun and tasty activity to pair with learning.

Before you begin your bread recipe check out 2 Minute Time Machine- Bread for a quick interesting glance at ancient roots of bread and beyond.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

You might also try a few other foods that would have been enjoyed at the same time as this bread recipe.

A taste test including olives, olive oil, figs, and other tasty bites would really enhance this lesson.

More Ancient Mesopotamia Hands-on Activities

  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): Cook Sebetu Rolls
  • Hands-on Ancient Mesopotamia: Easy STEM Irrigation Activity

Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Unleavened bread was a common food staple in Ancient Mesopotamia, and it was likely a very simple recipe of water and flour. 

This bread is very dense and does not have much flavor, you can add additional salts, seasonings, spices, chopped fruits, or nuts such as figs or dates to give it more flavoring.

You will need:

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup water
  • ¾ teaspoon of Salt
  • Honey to taste-optional
How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

First, combine the flour, water, salt, and honey to sweeten if desired until well mixed in a large bowl.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Knead the dough into one or two thin, flat patties.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Cover the bowl with a clean dish towel and allow the dough to sit overnight.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Lightly spray or use a silicone mat on a baking sheet to keep bread from sticking.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.

Flip dough out onto the prepared baking pan and shape the flat patty again as needed.

Bake for 30 minutes, remove from the oven and cool.

Try the bread as is or dip it in olive oil.

How to Make Unleavened Bread Ancient Mesopotamia Bread Recipe

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands on history, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, history resources, mesopotamia

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. Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System

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.

Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System
Hands-On Ancient Mesopotamia: STEM Irrigation System


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 Babylon: Hanging Gardens Fun Activity
  • Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Ancient Mesopotamia (Hands-on History): Cook Sebetu Rolls
  • Celtic Cakes Recipe – Ancient Mesopotamia Minibook

3 CommentsFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Hands-On Activities, History Resources Tagged With: ancient, ancient civilizations, earthscience, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, mesopotamia, science, STEM

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map

September 21, 2018 | 1 Comment
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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.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map. Studying Ancient Civilizations doesn’t have to be boring. Your kids will love this EASY hands-on geography. CLICK HERE to create a Mesopotamia salt dough map!

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:

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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)
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Tape map pieces together
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Use the back of the plastic knife to trace the rivers onto the salt dough
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Remove the template and deepen the river outlines in the salt dough with the back of the plastic knife; paint them blue
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • 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.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map. Studying Ancient Civilizations doesn’t have to be boring. Your kids will love this EASY hands-on geography. CLICK HERE to create a Mesopotamia salt dough map!

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:

  • Hands-on History Activities for Learning about Ancient Civilizations
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags 
  • South America Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map + Free Map Flag Printable

Written by KT of Lit Mama Homeschool

1 CommentFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Geography, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based Tagged With: ancient civilizations, geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolgeography, mesopotamia, salt dough map

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