The world is a big and diverse place that is full of differences to be explored and understood. Children who spend a lot of time in one place may not always be exposed to the diverse world they live in and as such teaching them about different cultures around the world can be a great way to broaden their horizons. Moreover, celebrating the different cultures will help instill respect, awareness, and appreciation for the different ways of life around the world. Here are some fun ways you can teach your children about different cultures. 

Try different food

Food is a fantastic and fun way to introduce children to different cultures and broaden their dietary repertoire. Food is closely linked to culture and each culture has signature dishes, flavors, or styles that make their food and culture unique. Perhaps dedicate one night a week to a new cuisine, whether it is Mexican enchiladas, Polish Perigo, or Korean steamed buns. Better yet, if you have family or friends with a different cultural background why not ask them for advice or if they wouldn’t mind preparing a traditional recipe for you all to try. You never know, you might find a new family favorite dish.

Watch a show

The arts have long been of cultural importance the world over and can be a wonderful and immersive way to expose children to different cultures. Taking them to experience shows like Shen Yun, which gives them an insight into Chinese culture and history is a great way for them to learn and simultaneously be entertained. 

Learn another language

Of course, learning a new language in its entirety might be a bit of an ask but it is perfectly manageable to learn a few simple phrases, such as please and thank-you or even 1-10 in different languages. There are some great child-friendly apps or tools such as Google Translate which can make this easy and entertaining way to pick up some new vocabulary.

Listen to traditional music

All different cultures have different music styles from Scottish bagpipes to Latin American salsa music. Discovering and listening to culturally significant music from around the world is a great way to expose children to the traditions of other countries that often form part of their cultural identity. 

Read a book 

Reading or listening to stories is a great way to discover more about a country, its people, and its culture. There are a plethora of international children’s books available online, filled with color, pictures, and traditional tales. Alternatively, consider listening to a podcast or audiobook with your children, after all, stories that are passed down through the generations is how cultures and customs remain prevalent today. 

Explore the map

Simply looking at the world map or globe and picking out different countries to talk about, to learn, and to understand will help your children find out more about places of their choosing. Once they have selected a country, go on a fact-finding mission to uncover some basic facts such as the language spoken, popular food, the flag, and population size, for example.