PASSPORt to the World An Educational Activity for Children

Educational Objectives

1. To make children aware of other countries and cultures.
   
   
2. To deepen appreciation of the different gifts God gives to each person.
   
   
3. To instill awareness of the child's own gifts, and a desire to share them with others.

Preparation

• Make a "passport" for each participant. [Click here for Passport Template]
  
  
• Purchase stickers to use as "Visa Stamps."
  
  
• Invite representatives from local ethnic groups to participate in the event, or assign individuals or small groups to research each country to be included in the "world tour." Ethnic traditions, holidays, foods, clothing, and children's games may all be included in the presentations.
  
  
• Prepare a sign for each country that will be represented.
  
  
• Before the day of the "World Tour," have each child fill out the personal information in their passport. Fill out the first page for the United States. Discuss how many U.S. traditions, foods, and holidays have grown out of other cultures.

Action

 

• On the day of the "World Tour," have each group set up a station to display the items, information, games, activities, and foods they have collected to represent their country.
  
  
• Have each child take his/her "passport" to each of the stations, and fill out the information requested. As participants complete each page, they should receive a "visa stamp" for that country.
  
  
• If time permits, try playing some international games.

Discussion

• What is unique about each culture? How can these differences be understood as gifts?
  
  
• How has the United States benefited from the gifts that various immigrants and refugees have brought with them?
  
  
• How do you think Jesus would like us to share our gifts with others? Can you think of ways to make newcomers feel welcome?

Resources

Two web sites offer wonderful information about international traditions, foods, and cultures. Rice University publishes an online magazine called Topics, There also is a delightful site for international children's games featuring more than a dozen countries, at:. (Once at the site, click on the link for international games.)