7 Simple Ways To Teach Kids About World Cultures At Home

Leo Migdal

-Dec 14, 2025, 9:23 AM

7 simple ways to teach kids about world cultures at home

Teaching kids about world cultures doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are 7 simple and fun ways to explore global traditions, languages, and customs without leaving your home: Quick Tip: Incorporate these activities into your daily routine - play global music during breakfast, read a cultural story at bedtime, or cook a new dish on weekends. These small steps can help spark curiosity and build global awareness in your child. Books can open a window for children to explore diverse cultures and traditions. Look for stories that genuinely reflect different cultures through their characters, settings, and themes.

Here are a few standout titles that highlight diversity and cultural appreciation: "Books are amazing windows into other people's lives. For kids, it's especially poignant when they get to see other worlds through the eyes of other children to whom they might be able to relate." - Jen Panaro, Co-founder of Raising Global Kidizens Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info. Homeschool families love to learn about world cultures.

But it’s even better if we can do it with hands-on activities to really make the culture come alive to our kids. Since we all can’t travel the globe, here are some other ideas to use to help your kids learn about world cultures right from home. Check out this Nicaraguan recipe for homemade tortillas. You can make them with just three simple ingredients: corn masa flour, water, and a pinch of salt! Your kids will love to get their hands dirty as they flatten the dough into tortillas. No matter which country or culture you are learning about in your homeschool, trying new food plays a vital role in experiencing that culture.

Talk about the agriculture and crops of that region. What is their main food crop? How is it grown, harvested, and used? Is it a major export? This post may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Kids are curious by nature and discovering that there are people and places around the world that are both similar and different from them is an important way to teach them about diversity and... These fun activities are the perfect way to teach kids about different cultures around the world and get them excited about learning! Learning about different world cultures is an important way to help teach your children empathy, acceptance and understanding and give them cultural awareness that there is much more beyond the small world they currently... Exploring new cultures with kids can be both fun and educational for the whole family and is a great way to learn about diversity. Best of all, you can teach kids about different countries and cultures around the world, without even having to leave your home country! We share 10 fun activities to learn about different cultures in the world that can get the whole family involved.

Hi, I’m Akeelah, founder of Little Global Citizens. If you’ve been looking for ways to teach your kids about the world in a fun and meaningful way, hands-on learning with crafts, recipes, and storytelling is the perfect approach! This month, my boys and I are diving into these activities, and I hope your family will join us in exploring the rich diversity of global cultures. This post is packed with cultural education activities, hands-on crafts, and ideas to make geography studies engaging for kids. Whether you’re homeschooling, following a Montessori global studies curriculum, or just looking for creative ways to introduce cultural awareness, this guide is for you! Teaching kids about the world through hands-on activities helps them:

Stay engaged: Crafts, cooking, and storytelling make learning interactive and fun. Develop cultural awareness: Kids learn to appreciate the beauty and diversity of traditions. We live in a global society, so it’s important to teach kids about different cultures. We’ve got some easy ways to get started. This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like. Learning about different cultures is not just interesting–it’s crucial!

We live in a multicultural society with people from diverse backgrounds. Teaching children about different cultures is an important part of raising open-minded, empathetic, and socially aware kids. Exposure to diverse perspectives allows children to appreciate differences and find common ground. The good news is that exploring cultures can happen through simple, fun activities woven into everyday life. Here are some ways to teach your child about the wonderful diversity of cultures in the world. One of the easiest ways to teach children about different cultures is through books, movies, TV shows, music, food, and more.

This is a great idea whether they are your own children or you foster children with a faith based agency like Active Care Solutions. Read diverse children’s books with characters from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Point out the cultural elements you notice and discuss them together. Watch movies and shows featuring a range of perspectives and experiences. Listen to music from around the world. All of these simple activities introduce children to the wonderful diversity of cultures.

Marking holidays and traditions is a fun way for children to learn about cultures. Celebrate holidays your family traditionally observes, explaining their cultural significance. Also, celebrate holidays from other cultures, like Chinese New Year or Diwali. Prepare and eat traditional foods, decorate your home, and learn about holiday customs and the meanings behind them. Go beyond just the major holidays and learn about everyday cultural traditions too, like birthday rituals or rites of passage. Discuss how traditions differ between cultures but all have meaning.

Food is an interactive, hands-on way for children to explore different cultures. Find restaurants that serve cuisines from around the globe and try new dishes together as a family. Shop at international grocery stores and let your child pick out foods they want to try. Prepare recipes at home from cookbooks showcasing cuisine from diverse cultures. As you sample foods together, discuss where they come from and what ingredients and techniques are used. Your child will realise there are many delicious and interesting ways to eat.

Visiting new places exposes children to diverse people and cultural experiences. Bring your child to districts in your area with distinct cultural identities, like Chinatown or Little Italy. Eat at locally owned restaurants, visit cultural sites and museums, and interact with community members. For even deeper experiences, travel internationally as a family. Immerse yourselves in other countries and cultures through museums, historical sites, activities, and of course, food! Travelling imprints on children how large and diverse the world is.

Raising kids in today’s world means preparing them to thrive in a global community. Exposing children to different cultures isn’t just about teaching geography or sampling new foods—it’s about helping them build empathy, curiosity, and open-mindedness. If you’re wondering how to teach kids about different cultures in a way that feels natural, fun, and impactful, here are some simple strategies to try. One of the easiest ways to introduce cultural diversity is through food. Cooking meals from different countries or trying global recipes together sparks conversations about traditions, ingredients, and history. Hosting a “world dinner night” where your family explores dishes from another culture each week is a hands-on, delicious way to expand horizons.

Stories bring cultures to life in a relatable way for kids. Choose picture books, folktales, or chapter books from different regions to diversify your bedtime reading. Pairing stories with movies or documentaries can add visuals and music that deepen understanding. This mix of reading and viewing helps children connect emotionally with people from other backgrounds. Marking holidays from around the world teaches kids that traditions extend far beyond their own culture and community. From Lunar New Year to Diwali or Día de los Muertos, celebrating these special days with crafts, decorations, or simple activities helps kids appreciate the meaning behind each event.

Even small gestures—like lighting candles or making traditional treats—make the experience memorable. Sometimes, the best way to teach children about different cultures is through real-life relationships. Hosting a german-speaking au pair is one option that combines childcare support with cultural immersion. Kids naturally pick up language, traditions, and values when someone from another background becomes part of their daily life. This lived experience goes beyond books or lessons, giving children a true sense of cultural exchange. Introducing young children to the incredible diversity of global cultures can instill empathy, broaden their horizons, and spark curiosity about the world.

Whether you're a parent or an educator, integrating fun, hands-on learning activities can make this process engaging and memorable. From crafting and cooking to storytelling and more, here are five creative ways to teach kids about global cultures. Art is a universal language. Set up workshops for kids to recreate traditional crafts, like Aboriginal dot painting, Japanese origami, or Mexican papel picado. Take it further by incorporating ribbon crafts to celebrate cultural diversity. This hands-on activity fosters curiosity and develops fine motor skills and creative thinking as kids appreciate the artistic expressions of different communities.

There's no better way to explore a culture than through its cuisine! Cooking classes allow kids to experience other cultures through flavors, textures, and smells. Start simple by cooking popular dishes like Italian pasta, Japanese sushi, or Indian samosas. This activity can create a positive learning environment and encourage kids to learn the story behind each recipe to understand its significance. Stories are a window into a culture's unique history, values, and beliefs. Choose folktales and fairy tales from around the world to read or narrate, then discuss the lessons they convey.

7 Simple Ways To Teach Kids About World Cultures At Home

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