Exposing Kids to Culture and History in a Fun Way

Tips to Strategically Grab Children’s Attention on a Place’s Culture or History

Issue: October 2023

By N. Michelle Rodríguez Amadeo

Are you one of those parents who would like to expose more your kids to culture or history topics in a way that would amuse them? Do you sometimes find challenging to identify activities to achieve that? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may find helpful the following tips to plan recreations that may enable learning about a place’s culture or history and which children may find entertaining.

1) Schedule Guided Tours in Crop Farms

Kids are usually attracted by ample spaces, especially when surrounded by nature. So they may be easily attracted to agricultural fields. Youngsters may first find interesting the field’s scenery. Their explorer instincts may influence them to take a close look at plants’ fruits and even pay attention to a guide’s interpretation during a walking farm tour. You may take advantage of the above so that your children can gain knowledge about the growth of crops that are traditionally eaten in a country.

2) Visit Historical Sites

Go to spots where historic structures, machinery, equipment or artifacts, which may appeal to your adventurous or playful kids, stand. For instance, children may like visiting fortresses or castles, especially those with cannons’ remains, or areas where they can see what is left of ancient sugarcane mills or steam-powered trains. You may also consider former indigenous village locations where antiquities or imitations thereof can be observed since youngsters are usually captivated by indigenous people’s history and customs.

3) Attend History or Cultural Heritage Museums

Search information about museum options with exhibits related to a place’s history or culture and that may catch your kids’ attention. For example, take into account museums with information and displays about a country’s ancient civilizations and conquerors, evolution of transportation vehicles, former sugarcane haciendas, or traditional festivals, music and food. If your children already liked a particular historical site or farm tour, they may be interested in visiting a museum where they can see exhibitions with related information.

4) Book Arts-and-Crafts Activities Inspired by a Particular Culture

History or art museums may give arts-and-crafts workshops targeted at youngsters. Also, some nonprofit organizations may organize events where kids may practically learn about a culture through arts and crafts. Your children may love spending a morning or afternoon immersed in this type of activity.

5) Plan a Festival-Amusing Day

Find out which festivals are celebrated at your homeland. List those that will be held when you and your kids may be available for such recreation. Share your findings with your children and inform the amenities they might like. For instance, let them know the types of food, music bands and any arts-and-crafts workshops, story plays or pony rides that may be available. Ask them which festivals they prefer attending.

If you are planning a family vacation in another country, check in advance if any festivals will take place not too far away from the region where you would be staying. If so, verify with your kids which ones might be of their interest. Do not take for granted the opportunity for them to learn about a destination’s culture while having fun in a festival.

The above are general suggestions. No one knows your kids better than you so consider their personality when designing the path for them to absorb culture and history topics through diversions.

Photograph by N. Michelle Rodríguez