A list of archaeology resources for kids. Supplement or create Science and History lesson plans with this full list of media resources, books, and activities appropriate for elementary aged students. Studying the Ancient World? Use these resources as an introduction to your unit studies.

Our first grade curriculum gets us digging into the ancient world! To gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of this science, I’ve gathered together the following resources to use as an introduction to our ancient history studies.

These titles and media resources can be used alongside any introduction to archaeology unit and are appropriate for the elementary grades. Some material may be too mature or too young for your child. As always, use your best discretion.

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Books & Activities

The Magic School Bus Shows And Tells: A Book About Archaeology 

From Amazon: “Ms. Frizzle and the gang travel back in time to the origins of an artifact and learn what it’s like to be an archaeologist.”

Find Magic School Bus Shows and Tells activities on Scholastic.
The episode is available on Prime and Netflix, Season 3 Episode 6.

Archaeology for Kids: Uncovering the Mysteries of Our Past, 25 Activities 

This book includes games, activities and experiments that will support your archaeological studies from the first people through modern times. This book is an excellent resource for unit studies, incorporating projects across subjects: art, math, science, and history. View the full table of contents on Amazon.

Hands-On Archaeology: Real-Life Activities for Kids

This title features reproducible worksheets and activities geared toward older students, grades 4-10. A great resource for children interested in digging deeper into the science of archaeology. Practice using the scientific method, create a dig site, and keep field notes for an in-depth archaeological experience. See the full table of contents on Amazon.

YouTube Playlists

Archaeology for Kids – Playlist Compiled by The Homeschool Resource Room

on YouTube

All About Archaeology | Nat Geo Kids Archaeology Playlist

on YouTube

Shows

SciGirls 104: Digging Archaeology

on YouTube
SciGirls is also on PBS Kids

Mouk – The Desert Archeologists S01E02 HD | Cartoon for kids

on YouTube
Mouk is also on Netflix

Movies

The Great Human Odyssey, Nova Documentary

Prime and Netflix
From Netflix: “Scientists are using archaeological and cultural findings to map humans’ exodus from Africa and identify the adaptive skills required for the journey.

Indiana Jones

Titles included with your Prime membership
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Temple of Doom (1984)
Last Crusade (1989)
Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

These movies are mostly for fun, but Harrison Ford does play an archaeologist. Check out this Chicago Tribune article about what Indiana Jones gets right and wrong and turn these cult classics into learning opportunities!

Online Resources to Explore

Ology

http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology

This children’s website from the American Museum of Natural History offers an engaging look into an array of sciences. Check out the ArchaeOlogy portion of the site to meet an archaeologist, archaeology games, stories, videos, and activities.

Online Unit Studies

If you’re moving on with ancient studies, check out the resources available from Techie Homeschool Mom. She offers a free lesson: Ancient Egypt Daily Life, as well as a full Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece online unit studies.

Archaeosoup Productions

It’s all about archaeology on Archaeosoup. Check out this YouTube channel for archaeology videos from A to Z as well as interviews with real archaeologists.

Other archaeology resources for your unit

 

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More history from the Resource Room:

• EASY Accordion Timeline Tutorial with Video
• Early Civilizations: An Ancient History Unit Study for Kids!
• Ancient Egypt Books & Activities for Kids
• Enrich and Engage with a Hands-on American History Timeline!