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We’re digging into Ancient Egypt Books and Activities this week as we learn all about pyramids, pharaohs, and hieroglyphics! Join us for some hands-on learning that will excite your young learners!
We began our ancient history adventures with an introduction to archaeology and what we can learn about the past through science. I can see the excitement in my son’s eyes as he learns about the world’s history and ancient people of the past.
Our ancient history spines are Story of the World Volume 1 and the Usborne World History Encyclopedia. These provide a good background for history, but are limited in what they share.
To dig a little deeper, I’ve put together some current resources for an Ancient Egypt unit study!
Ancient Egypt Activities for Kids
Dress Like a Pharaoh
Create a simple pharaoh costume with simple household materials.
Use wax paper and tape to create a pointed Crown. Don’t forget to add King Narmer’s red stripe to symbolize the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt!
Form a Shepard’s Hook with foil and cover it with brown construction paper.
Create a jeweled Necklace by cutting a slit and neck hole in the center of a paper plate. Create jewels with paint or markers.
Use a white sheet, light blanket, or large pillow case to make a Kilt or Dress.
Carve Hieroglyphics
Use an easy doh recipe to create a tablet to carve your own hieroglyphics.
- Pour 1 cup of white flour into a large bowl
- Add vegetable oil slowly until a doh forms
- Use your hands to press out a rectangular tablet
- Use a skewer or other household tools to carve your message.
Creating a message with the symbols found in Hieroglyphs A to Z.
Create a Timeline
Create a of Ancient Egyptian history. We use this printable timeline to create an accordion book. Write, draw, or use these printable timeline figures for ancient times, available from Homeschooling 2e.
Related Products
⭐ Ancient History Timeline – 10 Pages – Book of Centuries
⭐ Geologic Timeline Bundle – 56pgs – Secular Book of Centuries, 4,500Ma to 2100BC
Books & Articles about Ancient Egypt
These titles and media resources can be used alongside any introduction to Egypt 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.
Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris
by Emily Sands
I can’t say enough about this book! My son poured over it for hours. A fun and interactive book that will give your child hands-on experiences with Ancient Egypt. Feel a mummy’s linen, decipher hieroglyphs, open a sarcophagus, and open the envelopes inside to find letters, postcards, and photos from archaeologists in Egypt.
DK Eyewitness Books: Ancient Egypt
by George Hart
Eyewitness books are a favorite in our house. Explore the daily life of Ancient Egyptians including a close look at writing, tools, and rituals. Find real photos of artifacts and look inside a pyramid.
Who Was King Tut?
by Roberta Edwards
We affectionately call these the “big head books.” Learn all about the famous Pharaoh’s life, mummy, and treasures in this chapter book about Tut and Ancient Egypt. I love the way the material is presented. Adding the Who Was biographies to our history studies has really enriched learning and is a nice break from our focus on encyclopedias and fact books.
Kids Everything Ancient Egypt
by Crispin Boyer
The bright and large images of Egyptian artifacts and architecture is sure to capture your child’s attention. This book is packed with information about ancient life, death, and myths. If you are interested in exploring more Egyptian myths, don’t miss Nat Geo Kids’ Treasury of Egyptian Mythology.
Independent Readers about Ancient Egypt
If you’re teaching reading, here are a few readers that will fit in with your ancient Egypt unit. Using readers along with your unit will build your child’s confidence. Your child will be excited to recognize some of the same vocabulary words from their reading instruction in their daily activities.
- Pyramids by Laura Marsh, National Geographic Kids Level 1 Reader
- Mummies by Elizabeth Carney, National Geographic Kids Level 2 Reader
- Ancient Egypt by Crispin Boyer, National Geographic Kids Level 3 Reader
- Tut’s Mummy: Lost… and Found by Judy Donnelly, Step Into Reading Level 4
Ancient Egypt Resources Online
- 10 Facts About Ancient Egypt on National Geographic Kids
- Ancient Egypt Interactive Timeline by The Children’s University of Manchester
- Ancient Egyptian Myths and Ancient Egypt games, presentations, and activities from Mr. Donn
- Ask a Scientist about Mummies on The American Museum of Natural History’s site Ology
- Ancient Civilizations for Kids: Ancient Egypt from Google has a simple presentation of maps, photos, and history.
Ancient History Playlist
Horrible Histories, Awesome Egyptians On YouTube
Ancient Egypt: Crash Course World History #4 On YouTube
Ancient Egyptian Online Unit Study
Free Ancient Egypt lesson as well as a full Ancient Egypt Online Unit Study
More history from the Resource Room:
Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.
A friend JUST (like hours ago) told me her son wanted to do a unit on Egypt. She will be thrilled to find this post! I am too!
That’s awesome, Kelly! Thanks for sharing 🙂 We had SO much fun doing this unit. I hope you do, too!