10 Ways to Experience Culture With Kids by Studying Missionaries

Studying missionaries is a great way to experience other cultures with your kids. Check out this super cool printable pack.

I don’t know about you, but I love traveling. I love tasting new food dishes, seeing the beauty of God’s creation in diverse landscapes, and learning about customs and traditions that are unique to the area. Sadly, we can’t spend ALL our time traveling because we do have school to get done. But what if you could “travel” by studying real people and their ministries in countries throughout the world?

The second volume of our history study, To Every Nation 2, explores the lives of 12 different missionaries and the countries in which they served. By studying the lives of these faithful servants of God, your kids will learn about major historical events in their lifetimes and the Christian character God developed in them as they faced challenges. Then, “Make It Your Mission” extension activities push your kids to collect and apply new knowledge. But today, I want to tell you about the To Every Nation 2 Culture Pack, your kids’ opportunity to dive deep and experience culture in a country they have never seen!

Read on to learn how to get this bonus printable Culture Pack download absolutely FREE! Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these activities—I think you’ll enjoy them as much as my family does.

10 Ways to Experience Culture With Kids by Studying Missionaries

1. Make Chinese Lanterns

One of the fun crafts in the Culture Pack is making Chinese lanterns! These colorful paper creations have a fascinating history in addition to their modern significance. After they research the cultural meaning of these lanterns, let your kids plan and celebrate a Chinese festival in your home. You can even participate in the Chinese practice of writing riddles on your lanterns for each other to guess!

2. Celebrate With Your Own Papel Picado

Grab some tissue paper and start snipping! Papel picado, literally “punched paper,” is a traditional Mexican banner hung up as decoration for many different festivals and celebrations. In Mexican folk tradition, the holiday being celebrated dictates the colors represented in the papel picado. Your kids will love personalizing this fun decoration by picking their own theme colors to celebrate a birthday, holiday, or traditional Mexican festival!

3. Build a Pyramid

While the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, you can actually build your own . . . with paper (haha!). After your kids build their pyramids from the Culture Pack, encourage them to investigate the mysteries of the construction and purpose of the pyramids. This fascinating topic provides a great starting point for a research paper or presentation detailing the culture of ancient Egypt. For a modern twist, research the modern tourism industry or the social services in the region where Lillian Trasher established her orphanage.

4. Craft a Traditional German House

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a German villager hiding Jews in the early 1900s? Using the printout in the Culture Pack, craft your own little village house! Then, learn about life in a German village by researching common professions, daily schedules, and traditional food. To take it a step further, discover the role local villagers played in protecting Jews during Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s time in the German secret service.

5. Color the Design of a Boomerang

Since John Flynn’s place of mission work, Australia, is home to some amazingly unusual and dangerous animals, you’d expect Aboriginal Australians to have the weapons to match. And they don’t disappoint! Find an audiobook or documentary about the Australian Outback for your child to listen to or watch as they color and cut out their boomerang from the Culture Pack. Encourage them to explore the uses and necessity of a boomerang in the indigenous culture. They can even read about the fascinating wildlife native to Australia!

6. Model the Taj Mahal

I’m sure you’ve seen many pictures from people documenting their visit to the Taj Mahal. This amazing mausoleum immortalizing the wife of an Indian emperor (and where the emperor himself is now buried) is one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World. As your child cuts out and assembles their own model of the Taj Mahal, talk about what such a grand tomb symbolizes to the country. It might have something to do with what religious beliefs this people group has. For a fun way to experience Indian culture without traveling there yourself, look up an Indian recipe like curry to cook with your kids. Then, let them give their reviews on the preparation and taste of the meal!

7. Construct a Colonial Ship

We often think of the United States of America as a place that sends lots of missionaries to other countries. And this is true! But before we were ever a country, missionaries came to the original colonies to share the gospel. Though you probably understand the culture of the United States today, colonial American culture was quite a different experience from our modern comfort and lifestyle. Using the materials in the Culture Pack to construct a colonial ship, you and your kids can begin your own exploration into life aboard a boat headed to America! Once you have learned about trip lengths and sailing conditions, you can compare them to the modern sailing experience.

8. Put Together the Tower Bridge of London

Build your own famous bridge! Tower Bridge is probably London’s most well-known bridge—but it may be a surprise that it’s not the London Bridge we sing about. Once your child fits together their cut-out stone pillars and bridge pieces, encourage them to seek out the history, construction, and massive size of this awesome bridge! Enjoy experiencing the history of this famous structure along with your study of William Booth’s work in England!

9. Color a Beautiful Scene Depicting the Country

Whether you’re 8 or 38, a coloring page is always a good idea! The Culture Pack includes 2 coloring pages—one showing a scene in Japan and the other representing Saudi Arabia. By zooming in on one representative picture of the culture in each of these countries, these coloring pages offer a time to think or talk about the day’s study. These discussions can range from where you would like to visit in the country to the sights and activities to be witnessed and experienced.

10. Play Shisima

A great way to experience a country’s culture is to do something they do! The Culture Pack allows you to experience a small part of African culture by playing a traditional African game, Shisima! Once you cut out the pieces, follow the instructions included for you. You can play this game yourself with one child, or two children can play together!

I hope you and your children enjoy these various cultural experiences and that your thirst for studying missionaries only grows as a result! Simply order To Every Nation 2, and you’ll get this bonus Culture Pack download for FREE! Click here to get going on your own exciting “travel” adventures!