China

Geography Kids

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China

Here’s a list of the resources we used, videos we watched, and activities we did in our study of China.

Note: I don’t feel comfortable letting my children watch movies directly on the internet, so I always download the content first, so they can watch everything offline. If you want to do this, too, I would highly recommend using HitPaw Video Converter. That’s what I use. It’s not free, but it works great. That’s what I use to download content from YouTube, so that we can watch all the content offline and not have to worry about what might “pop up” when my kids are watching the videos.

Travel Book Pages

Every time we begin our “travels” to a new country, we always do the same 5 things:

1) Find the flag sticker for the country we are going to travel to, and stick it in our Pretend Passports.

2) Set up a pretend airplane and sing our “All Around the World” song as we pretend to fly to our destination.

3) Assemble our first travel book page, with the name of the country, the flag, country outline, and the pictures of people dressed in traditional costume.

>> China Travel Page 01 - Country Profile Page

4) Have a fun little country themed scavenger hunt! (featured below)

5) Assemble our second travel page book. Although, this page we usually do on our LAST day of learning about the country, since the kids like to pretend that they took all these pictures while they were visiting the country, so this second page is a place for them to “scrapbook” their memories of what they did on their adventure.

>> China Travel Page 02 - Scrapbook Page

China Scavenger Hunt

China Scavenger Hunt. We always like to do a scavenger hunt when learning about a new country. This is the scavenger hunt we put together for China.

China for Kids (Professor Propeller's Planet)

China for Kids. A quick introductory video featuring the country of China!

Let’s Take a Journey: China (Miacademy)

Let’s Take a Journey. Let's learn about what living in China is like!

Hogie Goes to Hong Kong (Hogie the Globehopper)

Hogie Goes to Hong Kong. It’s Chinese New Year and the gang have met Bo| who is incredibly worried that he has lost his good luck. They try all sorts of traditions and superstitions to help him find his luck| but Hogie has another idea that might just help him out…. Hogie the Globehopper is a fun show that will inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Hogie and his friends Lorna, Bernie and Floaty travel the world, making lots of friends along the way.

The Great Wall of China (ABC Mouse)

ABC Mouse: The Great Wall of China. A fun little animated film that teaches all kinds of interesting facts about the Great Wall of China in a way that children can understand and enjoy.

Chinese Culture for Kids (Appu Series)

Chinese Culture for Kids. Let's learn about what living in China is like!

All About China for Kids (Learn Bright)

All About China for Kids. This video gives a quick introduction to China, with lots of interesting facts about the country, culture, and history.

The Right Kite (Super Wings)

The Right Kite. Akas wants to participate in a kite-flying festival. He has a kite, but his younger brother, Remi, wants to play with it, too. Unfortunately, two red pandas took the kite and flew into the air with it. Can Jett figure out how the brothers and the red pandas can enjoy the kite all together?

You May Also Like:

>> Little Einsteins Dragon Kite

Pinkfong and Hogi’s China Tour (Pinkfong - World Tour Series)

Pinkfong and Hogi’s China Tour (Pinkfong - World Tour Series). Join Pinkfong and Hogi as they travel to China, meet many animal friends, and eat many delicious cuisines including pecking duck and dimsum!

You May Also Like:

>> China Tour Bus Song (Pinkfong)

China Virtual Field Trip for Kids! (The Adventures of Scuba Jack)

China Virtual Field Trip for Kids! A quick introductory video featuring the country of China!

The Colors of China (Wild Kratts)

The Colors of China. Go on an exciting adventure with the Wild Kratts to learn about the animals of China.

You May Also Like:

>> Big Bird in China (Sesame Street)

>> Chinese Culture for Kids (AppuSeries)

>> Colours and Counting in Mandarin (The Wiggles)

>> 10 Fun Facts About China for Kids (Privylicious)

>> Learn About China for Kids (Ozzie)

>> Beijing China Travel Tips (Travel With Kids TV)

>> China Song | Learn Facts About China the Musical Way (Jeography Songs)

>> China Virtual Field Trip for Kids (Adventures of Scuba Jack)

The Story of Ping (Read to Me Dad)

The Story of Ping. This is the classic story of Ping, the duck, who ran away to avoid being spanked on the back for being late coming home. Can he avoid being eaten and find his way back to his family?

Paper Plate Hand Fans

Paper Plate Hand Fans. Learn how to make a simple Asian style fan.

Chinese Fan Dance Step by Step Tutorial (Rosie & Posie)

Chinese Fan Dance Step by Step Tutorial. This Rosie and Posie Dance Adventure Show gives step by step instructions on how to do the various moves required in a traditional Chinese Fan Dance. Once you’ve practiced the moves and learned some of the technique you can move on to the next video: The Chinese Fan Dance.

Need fans to dance with? You can purchase fans (I would recommend the ZooBoo brand (also available in blue).

Otherwise, if you don’t want to purchase fans, you can give the kids some paper and have them fold their own (here’s a quick tutorial). If you’re folding your own, it could be fun for the kids to decorate the paper first to make the fans really colorful and pretty. Using colored construction paper and acrylic paints can make a nice fan, and the construction paper is a good paper weight as well.

You May Also Like:

>> Arirang (Music Express)

>> Kung Fu Fighting Dance (Pinkfong)

Chinese Fan Dance Performance (Sureen)

Chinese Fan Dance (Sureen). Watch an actual dance performance as these talented young dancers perform a traditional Chinese Fan Dance.

You May Also Like:

>> Beautiful Chinese Ancient Dance (Outfit Female)

>> Jasmine Flowers: Dance Academy Performs Fan Dance (America’s Got Talent)

>> Chinese Classical Dance - Fan Hua Chang Bian

Instrumental Chinese Music Bamboo Flute & Guzheng

Instrumental Chinese Music Bamboo Flute & Guzheng. Introduce your children to the world of Chinese Music with this beautiful instrumental album. Also perfect to play in the background of any cultural program or event you may put on with your student.

You May Also Like:

>> Instrumental Chinese Music with Scenic Footage of China (Visual Melodies)

>> Beautiful Chinese Music (Lantern)

25 Musical Instruments of China (Learning Music Hub)

25 Musical Instruments of China. Learn about the many unique musical instruments from China.

You May Also Like:

>> Bamboo Flute: A Floating and Beautiful Chinese Dizi Song (Musical Moments)

>> Fiddle (erhu) China (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

>> What Do the Over 2,000 Year Old Chinese Musical Instruments Sound Like? (People's Daily China)

Meet the Giant Panda (Little Fox)

Meet the Giant Panda. In this short little animated video, kids can learn some interesting and fun facts about Panda bears!

Wolong Panda Sanctuary (ABC Mouse)

Wolong Panda Sanctuary. A fun little animated film that teaches kids about the panda bears in China.

The Problem with Pandas (SciShow Kids)

The Problem with Pandas. What's black and white, big and fuzzy, and likes to eat bamboo all day? A panda! Join us to learn all about this rare bears and the challenges they face as their habitat disappears.

China: Pandas (Travel Kids Asia)

China: Pandas. These bears are amazing! Discover the world of Pandas with Travel Kids!

You May Also Like:

>> This Place Has Pandas (and almost no-one knows) (The China Traveller)

>> Inside the World’s Largest Square Bamboo Forest (The China Traveller)

>> Bamboo: The Fastest Growing Plant in the World (Minute Earth)

>> 12 Amazing Facts About Bamboo (Shanti Green)

>> Are These China's Cutest Pandas? (The China Traveller)

Wildlife of China (Simple Geography)

Wildlife of China. Very simple animation, but a nice introduction to the animals that live in China.

You May Also Like:

>> Life of Panda (Dr. Binocs Show)

>> Pandas Up Close (Next Generation Science)

>> Panda Express | Animal LOL (Nat Geo Kids)

>> Chinese Animals (Socratica Kids)

>> All About Pandas for Kids (FreeSchool)

>> Pandas Facts for Kids (Homeschool Pop)

>> Giant Pandas 101 (Nat Geo Wild)

>> Ni Hao Panda Song (Pinkfong)

Paper Plate Panda Craft (ABC Mouse)

Paper Plate Panda Craft. This fairly simple panda bear craft by ABC Mouse only requires a few simple supplies, and has a great video tutorial to show you exactly how to make it.

You May Also Like:

>> Paper Plate Panda Craft (Glued To My Crafts)

>> Paper Plate Panda Bear Masks (Red Ted Art)

Easy How to Draw Panda Bear Tutoral (Art Projects for Kids)

Easy How to Draw Panda Bear Tutoria. Easy step-by-step instructions on how to draw this really cute little panda bear.

How to Draw a Panda Bear (Art for Kids Hub)

How to Draw a Panda Bear. Easy step-by-step instructions on how to draw a panda bear.

You May Also Like:

>> How to Draw Panda in a Bamboo Forest

We Visited the Great Wall of China (Jumping Places)

We Visited the Great Wall of China. Join Chris and Carol as they journey to the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They explore the wall's preserved sections, climb some steep steps, even enter into the inner sections of the Great Wall. And probably the BEST part of all is where they get to ride toboggans down the mountain on their return trip!

The Great Wall of China for Kids (Homeschool Pop)

The Great Wall of China for Kids. A quick introductory video that teaches kids about the Great Wall of China.

You May Also Like:

>> Wall Shaped Like a Dragon (Preschool Genius)

>> The History of the Great Wall of China (FreeSchool)

>> Great Wall of China Facts (Mr. DeMaio)

>> Some of the Great Wall Was Made Out of Rice (Destination Tips)

>> The Great Wall of China (Macmillan Education India)

Kids Project Idea - Great Wall of China (CJ’s Play Zone)

Kids Project Idea - Great Wall of China. This Great Wall of China project is definitely a challenge, but could be a great hit with older students or as a joint group project.

Ruby's Chinese New Year (Clever Brains)

Ruby’s Chinese New Year. When grandma can't make it for Chinese New Year, Ruby heads to grandma's house to give her a gift. A cute little book for kids that goes through all the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

You May Also Like:

>> A Sweet New Year for Ren (Story Time With Ms Jay)

>> What is Lunar New Year? (Twinkl Educational Publishing)

>> Chinese New Year for Kids (Homeschool Pop)

>> Miss Frizzle’s Adventure in Imperial China

George’s Curious Dragon Dance (Curious George)

George’s Curious Dragon Dance. George and Marco are excited to help their new friend Lily practice the dragon dance for the Chinese New Year parade! But when they accidentally ruin the nose on the dragon costume, it’s a race against the clock to fix it in time.

You May Also Like:

>> The Story of Chinese New Year (Dr. Panda)

Chinese New Year Craft (ABC Mouse)

Chinese New Year Craft. Dragons are a huge part of any Chinese New Year celebration. This fairly simple craft by ABC Mouse only requires a few simple supplies, and has a great video tutorial to show you exactly how to make it.

You May Also Like:

>> How to Draw Lunar New Year (Art for Kids Hub)

You May Also Like:

>> When Dragons’ Hearts Were Good Song (Buddy Davis)

Chinese Lantern Craft (Kitchen Table Classroom)

Chinese Lantern Craft. Learn how to make a pretty, yet simple, Chinese paper lantern.

Dr. Binocs Show: The Invention of Paper (Peek a Boo)

Dr. Binocs Show: The Invention of Paper. Go back in time with Dr. Binocs to learn about the history behind the invention of paper.

You May Also Like:

>> From Tree to Sheet: How Paper Is Made (Fabrication Fascination)

>> How Paper is Made (PaperOne)

>> Dr. Binocs Show: The Invention of Silk (Peek a Boo)

>> How is Toilet Roll Made? (Maddie’s Do You Know?)

>> Four Great Inventions of Ancient China (Equatoro)

>> Blippi Learns About Fireworks (Blippi Wonders)

>> The History of Fireworks (AmericanPryoAssoc)

First Time in China! Beijing (Jumping Places)

First Time in China! Beijing. My kids really enjoy the “Jumping Places” virtual tours with Chris and Carol.

Just a note for parents: you might want to preview the Jumping Places tours before showing them to your kids. Most of the episodes are really excellent, but I wouldn’t say that all of their episodes are appropriate for children

You May Also Like:

>> We Made It to the Great Wall of China (Sammy and Tommy)

>> Americans First Time in China (Sammy and Tommy)

>> Exploring the Great Wall of China (Lulu’s Daily in China)

>> Visit the Forbidden City in Beijing China (Travel With Kids)

You May Also Like:

>> This is How D&G Should Use Chopsticks (The China Traveller)

Useful Hand Gestures Widely Used in China (China Highlights)

Useful Hand Gestures Widely Used in China. Body language and gestures form a vital component of the rich Chinese heritage and culture, and thus should not be overlooked when learning about China.

You May Also Like:

>> Chinese Customs: How to Bow (Five Thousand Years)

>> Chinese Fashion Through the Dynasties

Kung Fu Fighting Dance (Pinkfong)

Kung Fu Dancing Song. Just a cute little song for kids to sing along with and pretend that they are doing Kung Fu.

You May Also Like:

>> Young Kung Fu Master Demonstrates Fan Skills (China Plus)

>> Martial Arts History & Origins: Kung Fu (Get Into Martial Arts)

China's Weifang Kite Festival 2023 (China Traveller)

China's Weifang Kite Festival 2023. Take a look at the 2023 Weifang Kite Festival in China, featuring traditional kites, modern kites, sport kites, sea creature kites . . . AND SO MANY MORE!

You can also skip the long introduction to the festival and JUST watch the actual kite flying performance here.

You May Also Like:

>> Spectacular Dragon Kite Takes Flight in Night Sky During Chinese Festival (ViralVideoUK)

>> Getting Stuck in China's Mudflats - Catching Fish that Can Walk (The China Traveller)

>> The Grand Canyon in China that You've Never Heard of Before (The China Traveller)

>> World's Biggest Rice Paddy Art (The China Traveller)

>> China's Top 5 Best Kept Travel Secrets (The China Traveller)

How Does a Kite Work? (Maddie's Do You Know?)

How Does a Kite Work?. Join Maddie as she finds out how kites work!

You May Also Like:

>> This is the Way We Fly A Kite Song (Little Angel Nursery Rhymes)

>> Lets Make a Kite (and how kites work) Science Project for Kids (SciShow Kids)

>> Easy Paper Kite Craft (Popz Treehouse)

>> How Do Kites Fly? (ScienceABC II)

Gansu Rainbow Mountains (The China Traveller)

Gansu Rainbow Mountains. Virtually visit the Gansu Rainbow Mountains, and discover this natural beauty, with Stu, the “China Traveller”.

Discover the Hidden Wonders of China's Rainbow Mountains (HazemHazem1)

Discover the Hidden Wonders of China’s Rainbow Mountains. China's Rainbow Mountains, also known as Zhangye Danxia Landform Geopark, is a natural wonder located in Zhangye, Gansu Province in northwest China. The mountains get their name from the colored stripes running across them.

You May Also Like:

>> Rainbow Mountains of China - Why You Need to Visit (One Shot Adventures)

>> Explore China: The Real Colour of Rainbow Mountains (Days2Explore)

>> The Rainbow Mountains of China (A Beautiful Place)

>> Rainbow Mountains, Zhangye Danxia Geopark (Nature Love)

>> Rebuilding the Great Wall of China with Simple Tools and Mules (The Star)

China's Cormorant Fishermen (Getty Images TV)

China's Cormorant Fishermen. Watch and learn about this ancient Chinese method of fishing with birds!

You May Also Like:

>> Fishing With Birds (BBC Studios)

>> His Cormorants Fish for Him (Show Me the World)

The Story of the Terracotta Warriors

(Children’s Museum of Indianapolis)

The Story of the Terracotta Warriors. Watch this video to learn the story of the warriors' discovery, how they were made, and why they are so significant.

The Incredible History of China's Terricatta Warriors (TED-Ed)

The Incredible History of China’s Terricatta Warriors. In 1974, farmers digging a well near their small village stumbled upon one of the most important finds in archaeological history – vast underground chambers surrounding a Chinese emperor’s tomb that contained more than 8,000 life-size clay soldiers ready for battle. Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen shares the fascinating history of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.

You May Also Like:

>> Yellow River Valley Civilization, Legends, and History of Ancient China for Kids (Learni)

>> Travels With First Lady in China, Terracotta Warriors (Obama White House)

>> The Four Great Inventions That Changed the World (Simple History)

>> Treasures of Qin Shi Huang and the Terracotta Army (TheRichest)

The Story Behind the Waving Cat (The Generalist Papers)

The Story Behind the Waving Cat. Have you ever walked into a Chinese restaurant and found yourself wondering why there is a waving cat greeting you at the entrance? This short little video helps to answer that question!

You May Also Like:

>> Time-Lapse Aerial Photography in Suzhou, East Gate (Aerial China)

>> Light Show: Suzhou Center Oriental Gate "The Big Pants Building" (Jackie27)

China Unit of Study for Kids (Pack More Into Life)

China Unit of Study for Kids. If you’d like even more ideas or crafts and activities for your China study, this website has a lot of really great ideas!

FREE Read Color and Learn About China Worksheets

FREE Read Color and Learn About China Worksheets. We love these China country coloring pages! Since we do our country study over the course of multiple days, each day featuring a different aspect of the country, this coloring pack gives us a coloring page for pretty much every day of our country study.

I actually love to do the country “summary” page FIRST instead of last. I think it’s a great way to get the kids excited about the country when they see all the different topics we’re going to be learning about.

And the best part about these country coloring pages is that they’re FREE! Thank you so much Beth Gordon! (If you’re not familiar with her work, I highly recommend checking out her website, Kindergarten Worksheets and Games; LOTS of great resources for the classroom!!)

I Am Confusius (Xavior Riddle and the Secret Museum)

I Am Confusius. Xavier and Yadina travel back in time to overcome a sibling spat with the help of Confucius.

Gladys Aylward (Torchlighters)

Gladys Aylward. A great children’s animated show that tells that courageous story of Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China.

Who Was Hudson Taylor? The Missionary Britain Hated

(Mr Michell History)

Who Was Hudson Taylor? This biography video covers the life of Hudson Taylor, the leading British missionary in China throughout the 1800's. A little advanced for younger children, but so far it is the best introductory video I’ve been able to find..

Could Somebody Pass the Salt? (CCGS Kids Storytime)

Could Somebody Pass the Salt? Storytime. This is a read aloud video featuring the book “Could Somebody Pass the Salt” by Catherine MacKenzie, a young child’s missionary biography book about the missionary to China, Hudson Taylor.

The Life of Hudson Taylor (North West Ulster CEF)

The Life of Hudson Taylor. This is a 5 part lesson that goes through the life of Hudson Taylor using a storytelling style with poster pictures to illustrate the story, very much like a classroom story time setting. If you’re studying Hudson Taylor over the course of several days, you could easily just play one of these videos each day, which would make it easier for the kids to sit through the story and hopefully also create a little suspense as they wait to hear how the story will continue the next day.

If you would prefer to get your own flash card pictures and tell the story yourself, they can be purchased on the CEF Press Website.

You May Also Like:

>> Hudson Taylor (Full Length Movie) – Also Available on Amazon Prime

>> Hudson Taylor - Missionary to China (Jake Phillips)

>> Hudson Taylor Missionary Story (Table Treats)

>> Hudson Taylor (Caleb Tupili)

>> Missionary Moment: Hudson Taylor (Wayside Kids)

>> The Story of Missionary Hudson Taylor Sunday School (New City Church Kids)

>> James Hudson Taylor (MultiRandye)

>> Hudson Taylor (Lorelee Siemens)

>> James Hudson Taylor - Missionary Segment (China Soul)

>> Love China Hudson Taylor - Chinese with English Subtitles (True Light)

My Book About Hudson (Sheila Miller)

My Book About Hudson (Sheila Miller). This is an old vintage (out of print) book that tells the story of Hudson Taylor for kids. Unfortunately, it’s very rare and hard to get a hold of, but if you’re able to find it on ebay or rent it through the library, I highly recommend it!

Here’s a little “peek inside” to give you an idea of what the book is like:

>> Look Inside My Book About Hudson

For Older Students:

>> China in 5 Minutes (All In 5 Minutes)

>> Animated History of China Part 1 | Part 2

>> The Incredible History of China’s Terracotta Warriors (TED-ED)

>> History of Ancient China: Dynasties, Confucious, and the First Emperor (Cogito)

>> All China's dynasties explained in 7 minutes (Epimetheus)

>> China (Geography Now)

>> Geography of China (Peppy List)

>> The Geography of China (Instructomania)

>> History of the Silk Road (History on Maps)