Fun Facts about Egypt For Kids

The great land of Egypt was founded beyond the temporal veil where pharaohs lived and built great pyramids that pierced the sky! Between our attractive lines, we will take you on an unforgettable adventure to discover some interesting facts about Egypt that are specially designed for our dear kids and curious minds. You will also explore the world of kings and mummies where myths become reality and where archaeological wonders keep awing the whole world.

Trips In Egypt Team wraps the secrets of the Sphinx, the ancient writings of the past, and the mysteries of Egypt which is a land of lasting magic. Now, are you ready to be amazed by the mysteries that have captivated people from all over the world for ages? Let’s start our Egyptian adventure together!

1. The Pyramids of Egypt are Tombs

The Pyramids of Giza were built thousands of years ago by ancient Egyptians in order to bury their pharaohs who were like kings of their era. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest pyramid, was erected for a king named Khufu. The Great Pyramid of Giza is made up of several blocks, each weighing around 2.5 tonnes, and it took 20 years to build.

The pyramids were covered in white limestone, but it has been removed over time, however, they are still beautiful and mysterious, and there is still much that we do not know about them to this day and age. There were special rooms inside these pyramids that were called burial chambers where they buried the bodies of the Pharaohs and their treasured riches in these special chambers.

The ancient Egyptians believed that by building these huge pyramids, the spirits of Pharaohs and queens could back safely to the afterlife. Is not that a fascinating way to honor and remember their powerful rulers?

The Valley of the Kings is the Final Resting Place of the Pharaohs

Let me tell you about the Valley of the Kings which is a super cool place in Egypt! A long time ago, there were powerful Pharaohs who were like kings and were buried inside the Valley of the Kings such as King Tutankhamun. The Valley of the Kings is like their secret hidden city!

You can find hidden tombs and special rooms inside the valley where the mummies of the Pharaohs and precious treasures were kept safe to the day and age. Just imagine finding golden jewelry and ancient stuff like adventure movies! So, when you hear about the Valley of the Kings, remember it is where the ancient Pharaohs rest!

Ancient Egyptian Men and Women Wore Makeup

Did you know that in Ancient Egypt, both men and women used makeup? Isn't it a fascinating fact? Ancient Egypt used unique cosmetics that were created from natural materials such as minerals, herbs, and flowers which they applied using mall sticks, brushes, and sponges.

Boys and girls would paint their eyes with a dark color called "Kohl" to protect them from the sun and evil spirits, however, makeup was used not only for protection but also to look stylish and lovely throughout this historical period. Girls would wear colorful eyeshadows and paint their lips brilliant colors, whilst boys would paint their lips reddish and wear some eye makeup.

Egyptian cosmetics were an important element of daily life for both genders of Ancient Egyptians. So, the next time you see someone wearing makeup, know that it has been a trend for thousands of years, all the way back to the magnificent world of Ancient Egypt!

Cats Were Very Special in Ancient Egypt

Cats were very special and adored by the ancient Egyptians as they believed that cats had magical powers and were connected to the gods in ancient Egypt, so cats were like sacred guardians that protected their homes from pests like mice and rats and helped to keep the food safe.

Egyptians created special laws to protect cats, to cause harm to them was considered a serious crime and you should be punished. Cats were worshipped also in the city of Bubastis which was a major center of cat worship and there was a special festival dedicated to cats called "The Festival of Bastet".

Cats were depicted in ancient Egyptian art including paintings, sculptures, and jewelry, the remains of over 300,000 mummified cats have been found in the ancient city of Bubastis. Egyptian families had statues of cats in their homes to bring good luck and when a pet cat passed away, the family would mourn by shaving their eyebrows as a sign of sadness. So, you see, cats were not just pets back then, they were truly treasured and respected creatures in ancient Egypt!

The Sphinx is the Mysterious Guardian of the Pyramids

The Sphinx is a mysterious creature that is located near the famous pyramids of Giza. This unbelievable structure has the body of a lion, the head of a human, and the eye of the Sphinx are made of obsidian, a type of volcanic glass, and these unique features make the Sphinx an intriguing guardian.

The Sphinx is incredibly old with its construction which dates back over 4,500 years during the time of the ancient Egyptians, it stands tall at about 66 feet and was carved from a single massive limestone block, and there are so many secrets about the Sphinx remain unsolved until today. The Sphinx of Giza continues to attract the minds of travelers from all over the world as it has a great role as a guardian of the pyramids to become a timeless tale of ancient times.

King Tut Died and Left Behind Many Treasures

Did you know that when archaeologist Howard Carter first entered the tomb of King Tutankhamun, he found an amazing collection of wonderful treasures that had been buried for over 3,000 years? The tomb of the little pharaoh who was only eighteen years old is one of the most amazing discoveries especially "The Golden Mask of King Tutankhamun". This unbelievable mask was made of solid gold and was so created that it became one of the most iconic symbols in the whole world.

Carter found many other precious and interesting artifacts inside the tomb such as statues, jewelry, and chariots. There is one item which is a chest shaped like a boat which was believed to carry the pharaoh to the afterlife. It is incredible to think that these treasures have been hidden away and preserved for so long until today with their original status.

The young age of King Tutankhamun at the time of his death was around eighteen or nineteen years old, and it added to the mystery surrounding his tomb. King Tutankhamun became pharaoh at just nine years old and ruled for a short time before his death. Today, you can see many of these incredible artifacts at The Grand Egyptian Museum where they continue to captivate people of all ages.

The Gods and Goddesses Worshipped in Ancient Egypt

Once upon a time, in the land of history where gods and goddesses in Ancient Egypt roamed, there was a quirky twist! These divine beings decided to play a hilarious game of "Ancient Gods and Goddesses" With their godly powers on hold, they transformed themselves into great powers to experience the joys and challenges of growing up such as.

• "Ra" was the Sun God who made sure the sun rose every morning and gave us light to play and learn.
• "Isis" was a caring Goddess who protected families and our loved ones, and she was also a clever Goddess.
• "Anubis" was the jackal-headed God who guarded the souls of the dead and guided them to the afterlife.
• "Bastet" was the gentle cat Goddess who watched over homes and brought joy and music to our lives.
• "Horus" was the Falcon God, and he kept an eye on the sky of Egypt.

These amazing Gods and Goddesses were a great part of the ancient Egyptian culture, and ancient Egyptians believed that they had special powers to help and protect them.

Ancient Egyptians Mummified Their Bodies

Ancient Egyptian Mummification was a significant part of ancient Egyptian religious practices, ensuring a proper journey to the afterlife for both humans and their revered animals.

The priests cleaned the body of the dead and removed its internal organs except for the heart, and then they used special herbs to dry the body. They wrapped the body in linen bandages, but did you know that not only humans were mummified? Ancient Egyptians mummified animals like cats, dogs, and crocodiles as they were considered sacred and to be with them once again in the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptians thought that preserving their bodies would help them meet the Gods and live forever. That is why mummies were placed in big tombs filled with treasures and objects they might need in the afterlife like food and toys. You can witness now mummies that were hidden away in secret tombs with their treasures and favorite animals. Are not those just fun facts?

Ancient Egyptians Used Hieroglyphic Writing

You can travel back in time with us to ancient Egypt where incredible things happened! Instead of using the alphabet that we use today, the clever ancient Egyptians had a special way of writing called "Hieroglyph", but what are hieroglyphs? Well, they are like magical pictures that stand for words and ideas, imagine writing a story using only pictures of objects and symbols like drawing a sun to mean "Day" or a bird to say "Freedom".

Ancient Egyptians wrote these cool hieroglyphs on big stones, temple walls, and scrolls made of papyrus! It was like they had their secret code to share stories and record history. We can still discover their fascinating world today and know the mysteries of these ancient hieroglyphs.

Ancient Egyptian Fashion Was Practical and Simple

Get ready with me to be amazed my little adventurers! Boys and girls were stylish in those ancient days dresses designed from colorful linen and cotton that were perfect for the hot desert climate, but it did not stop there! They had accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, and amulets that added a touch of magic and protection.

Pharaohs donned the magnificent "Nemes" headdress that exuded grandeur, and you will not believe this, King Tutankhamun was quite the fashion icon with 145 outfits buried alongside him! Makeup was not just for women, it was for both ladies and gentlemen who wore their makeup with breathtaking eye colors like black and green. Their fashion choices spoke volumes about their place in society and profession, how exciting is that!

Some Activities That Kids Can Do To Learn More About Egypt

To spark their curiosity and expand their horizons, here are some engaging activities to do in Egypt that kids can embark upon to delve deeper into the rich history, culture, and traditions of this intriguing civilization, whether you plan a family vacation in Egypt with children or simply want to explore the wonders of this ancient land.

1. Making a Model of a Pyramid

Creating a pyramid model for kids is a fun activity, here is a simple way that requires basic materials:

The Materials You Will Need:

1. Cardboard or heavy construction paper (for the base and sides of the pyramid)
2. Ruler
3. Pencil
4. Scissors
5. Glue or tape
6. Markers, crayons, or colored pencils (for decorating, optional)

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the base

You will draw a square on cardboard or construction paper with a ruler, the base area of the pyramid will be determined by the size of the square. You will select any size that matches your needs, but for the sake of simplicity, let's go with 6 inches by 6 inches. Now cut out the square.

• Step 2: Create the Pyramid Sides

You will take another piece of cardboard and repeat the process, measure and draw four the same height for the triangles with the same base as the square you cut out (6 inches). The height will be any length you like, but for simplicity, let's keep it at 6 inches. So, the height of triangles and bases would both be 6 inches. Now cut out the four triangles.

• Step 3: Assemble the Pyramid

You will apply glue or tape along one of the edges of the triangle then adhere the taped edge of the triangle to one of the square edges of the base to form a 3D triangular shape and attach the three triangles to the square base edges.

• Step 4: Decorate (Optional)

If you want to make the pyramid more colorful and attractive, just use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate the sides and base of the Pyramid.  Your pyramid model is now complete! Happy crafting and learning!

2. Learning How to Write Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphs are the ancient Egyptian writing system consisting of symbols.

The Materials You Will Need:

1. Paper or a notebook
2. Pencil or pen
3. A printed or online hieroglyph chart (to refer to the symbols)

Instructions:

• Step 1: Understand the Basics

You can explain to your kids that hieroglyphs are like pictures that represent different objects, and animals. The symbol has a specific sound or meaning, show them some examples from a hieroglyph to get the meaning.

• Step 2: Learn Common Hieroglyphs

You will start with simple hieroglyphs, for example:

- Sun: a circle with rays coming out from it (☉)

- Eye: a human eye (⌇)

- Snake: a wavy line that looks like a snake (S)

- Owl: a picture of an owl (Ɔ)

- Water: three horizontal lines (~~~~)

- Bird: a drawing of a bird (Ѽ)

• Step 3: Practice Writing Hieroglyphs

Let the kids practice symbols on paper show them how to make the symbols and encourage them to pay attention to the details.

• Step 4: Create Simple Words

You can explain to your kids that hieroglyphs were used to write words by combining different symbols, for example, they could write "sun" by drawing the sun symbol (☉). You can also teach them how to write their names in hieroglyphs by using the corresponding symbols for the sounds in their names.

• Step 5: Fun Activities

You should consider incorporating some fun activities to make learning hieroglyphs more enjoyable:

- Kids can write messages to each other by using hieroglyphs, and others can try to decode the messages.

- A cartouche was an oval frame around a pharaoh's name in ancient Egypt, kids could write their names inside an oval and decorate it with hieroglyphs.

- You can encourage kids to create short stories or sentences using hieroglyphs.

• Step 6: Explore Books and Resources

You should consider reading books or watching documentaries about ancient Egyptian civilization to deepen your understanding of hieroglyphs and ancient Egypt. This will help them connect the hieroglyphs to the culture they originated from.

3. Creating a Mummy Costume

Creating a mummy costume can be a fun project for Halloween or costume parties.

Materials You Will Need:

1. Old white bedsheet or several rolls of white gauze bandages
2. Old clothes (shirt and pants)
3. Safety pins or hot glue gun
4. Scissors
5. Face paint or makeup (optional)
6. White or gray face powder (optional)
7. Black eyeshadow or eyeliner (optional)

Instructions:

• Step 1: Prepare the Clothes

Select old clothes (shirt and pants) that you do not mind getting a little messy. It is better if the clothes are oversized to give a more authentic mummy look, you should wash and dry them if needed.

• Step 2: Age the Clothes (Optional)

You can age the clothes to make them look ancient for a more realistic mummy appearance. You can do this by dabbing brown fabric paint to create a dirtier, aged effect, and letting the paint dry before proceeding.

• Step 3: Create the Mummy Wrappings

Option 1: Using an old bedsheet:

Cut the bedsheet into long strips, 2 to 4 inches wide as the number of strips needed will depend on your size and how much wrapping you want. Distress the strips by tearing and fraying the edges to give them a tattered look.

Option 2: Using gauze bandages:

If you are using gauze bandages, unroll them from the package, and gauze bandages have a naturally tattered appearance.

• Step 4: Wrap the Clothes

Start wrapping the strips or gauze bandages around your body, and secure them in place with safety pins or a hot glue gun as needed, but be careful not to wrap them too tightly to move them comfortably.

• Step 5: Create the Mummy Face

If you want to give your face a mummy look, use face paint or makeup to create a pale complexion. Use black eyeshadow or eyeliner to add dark circles around your eyes to make them look sunken.

• Step 6: Add Some Finishing Touches

You can add some faux dirt or dust using brown eyeshadow or brown fabric paint around the clothing and body to make the ancient mummy look real.

• Step 7: Final Touches

Add any accessories like a headpiece or carry a prop like an ancient scroll to complete the look. Now you have your homemade mummy costume ready. Enjoy scaring people once you transform into an ancient mummy.

4. Drawing a Map of Egypt

Here are the general steps you can follow to create a map of Egypt:

Materials You Will Need:

1. Blank paper or a drawing pad
2. Pencil
3. Eraser
4. Colored pencils or markers (optional)

Instructions:

• Step 1: Outline the Basic Shape

Begin by outlining the main shape of Egypt. Egypt is an African country that is located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Egypt has a special shape that looks like the backward letter "L".

Draw a line on the left side of the paper to represent the western border of Egypt, this line should be longer. Draw a horizontal line on top of the vertical line to represent the northern border, the horizontal line should be shorter. Connect the ends of the horizontal line to the right side of the paper using a diagonal line to represent the eastern and southern borders of Egypt.

• Step 2: Add the Nile River

Draw a wavy line from the top of the map (near the Mediterranean Sea) down to the bottom (near the border with Sudan). This wavy line represents the Nile River which is the longest river in the world and a vital water source for Egypt.

• Step 3: Draw Major Cities and Landmarks (Optional)

You can add some of the major cities and landmarks of Egypt to the map, for example, you could mark Cairo with a small dot near the northern part of the Nile River. You could also add the pyramids near Cairo or other significant cities like Alexandria and Luxor.

• Step 4: Label the Map

If you want to make the map more informative, you can label the seas and neighboring countries. The Mediterranean Sea lies to the north of Egypt, and the Red Sea is to the east while neighboring countries include Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Israel and Saudi Arabia to the east.

Step 5: Add Details (Optional)

You can add more details to the map depending on your preference, such as mountains and deserts or symbols for historical sites.

• Step 6: Color the Map (Optional)

You can use colored pencils or markers to add colors to make the map visually exciting. You can color the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea blue, deserts in light brown, and cities in different colors.

Now you have a simple map of Egypt, this activity is a great way to learn about the geography of Egypt while also practicing your drawing skills.

How to Encourage Your Kids to Learn About Egypt?

• You need to teach your kids to discover the amazing history of Egypt by making their learning fun such as games, puzzles, and activities that have meanings of ancient pyramids, and pharaohs.
• It is good to use colorful visual aids such as documentaries, and online resources to help them learn about Ancient Egyptian culture, you can arrange events and cultural days where they can wear costumes, and taste Egyptian food.
• You can tell them amazing stories from ancient Egyptian mythology and history by introducing them to famous characters like Cleopatra, Ramses II, Khufu, and King Tutankhamun.
• You can organize exciting trips to Egyptian museums near you or take tours to see these treasures up close for a closer look at ancient artifacts.
• You can invite them to write stories or even build miniature pyramids to foster their creativity.
• You will encourage and motivate them to explore more of this ancient civilization by giving positive feedback and complimenting their work.

Egypt Family Tours for All Ages

Ancient Egypt was a land of fascinating customs which left an unforgettable mark on history. The pyramids, hieroglyphics, gods, goddesses, and mummification practices continue to captivate our imaginations. You can discover the wonders of Egypt by booking one of our amazing Egypt Family tour packages, you will be by the east and west banks on a Nile cruise and you will wish to come back to Egypt for more fun that will leave you speechless.