How to Help Your Child Explore the World from Home This Summer

Summer is the perfect time for kids to recharge; but it can also be an opportunity for meaningful learning, especially when it comes to exploring the world beyond their backyard.

If you're a parent or educator looking to keep kids engaged, off screens, and expanding their curiosity, there are fun and simple ways to introduce them to global cultures without booking a single flight.

Here are a few screen-free, culturally rich ideas to try this summer:

1. Make Art Inspired by Global Cultures

Kids naturally connect through creativity.

When children color, draw, or paint symbols, animals, or landmarks from around the globe, they’re not just making pretty pictures; they’re:

• Learning geography and place-based knowledge
• Practicing empathy and appreciation for diversity
• Developing fine motor skills and focus
• Building curiosity about how others live
  
  

One easy way to start? Try a coloring book that connects art to world cultures. For example, the Animals Around the World coloring series introduces kids (ages 4–12) to animals from every country in a continent paired with fun cultural facts, geography tie-ins, and real-life animal photos for deeper learning. It’s travel-friendly and zero-prep: just open the book and go.

2. Cook a Simple Dish from Another Country

Food is one of the most engaging entry points into any culture. Even young children can help with tasks like mixing ingredients or setting the table with intention.

Pick a country each week and make a simple dish together like rice and beans from Ghana, mango lassi from India, or dumplings from China. As you cook, talk about where the dish comes from, and maybe play traditional music from that region while you eat.

3. Create a Global Learning Corner at Home

Transform a small area of your home or classroom into a rotating “world discovery station.” Each week, feature a new country or region with:

• A children’s book or folktale from that culture
• A map or globe to show where it’s located
• A small craft, flag, or artifact (even DIY works!)
  

This helps kids make connections between place, people, and traditions in a hands-on way.

4. Learn About Animals and the Cultures That Live Alongside Them

Most kids are fascinated by animals. Use that natural interest to dive deeper into world regions. Ask questions like:

• Where does this animal live?
• What is the environment like there?
• How do people in that area view or interact with this animal?

This is where coloring books like Animals Around the World shine. In addition to coloring a panda from China, a peacock from India, or a sun bear from Malaysia, kids also learn how geography and culture influence animal life. Each coloring page offers an educational moment rooted in empathy and exploration.

Final Thought: Let Curiosity Lead

When children engage with the world through art, food, stories, and animals, they begin to see themselves as part of a bigger, beautifully diverse picture. And that’s a lesson that lasts well beyond summer.

Want a simple place to start?
Check out the Animals Around the World coloring book series; available now on Amazon. Every book comes with a bonus printable activity pack, real animal photos, cultural facts, and a little surprise your child will love.

[Order on Amazon]
Great for ages 4–12 | Screen-free | Educational | Wonder-filled