The civilization of the Ancient Egyptians, centred around the River Nile, is a fascinating topic. The Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids and developed hieroglyphics, one of the world’s first writing systems. They also built irrigation systems to water the land for growing crops, and used the first ramps and levers in building.
The Ancient Egyptians worshipped over 2,000 gods and goddesses, including Anubis, the god of mummification, and Thoth, the god of writing, magic and wisdom.
Teach your children about Ancient Egypt using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Create a silent movie that uses the first movement of Ballet Égyptien by Luigini as its sound track.
- Make your own canopic jars.
- Make a Lego shaduf.
- Try writing in hieroglyphs.
- Try your hand at making papyrus.
- Write a report about Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. This is a useful site for information.
- Write some instructions on how to mummify a person. This site will help you.
- Make a fact file about the Egyptian gods.
- Write a newspaper report about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
- Try mummifying a tomato using salt and bicarbonate of soda or epsom salts.
Resources
- Download our huge Egyptians pack.
- Use our Ancient Egypt fact cards and make your own.
- Use our sheet to make a game of Senet and then learn how to play.
- These flash cards have useful vocabulary for your Egyptian topic.
- Use this banner for your class display.
Egyptians Knowledge Organiser
Members of Teaching Packs can download a comprehensive knowledge organiser to accompany this topic. It includes key information that your children can use for reference and research, along with a timeline, a glossary, a map and illustrations.
Not a member yet? Join us today!
Egyptians Facts
- The Ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for 3,000 years, the longest-lasting civilization in human history!
- During mummification, a hook was inserted into the nose to remove the brain.
- The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man made structure in the work for over 3,800 years.
- Only priests could enter Ancient Egyptian temples.
- The Sphinx was cut out of natural limestone. It is twenty metres tall.
Videos
Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
A visit to an ancient village to explore the daily lives of Ancient Egyptians.
Running time: 10:04
Introducing Ancient Egypt
A great introduction to Egyptian buildings and religion.
Running time: 5:23
Mummification
Find out how the Egyptians mummified their dead.
Running time: 2:38
Cleopatra
Would you add Cleopatra on social media?
Running time: 4:00
Pyramid Facts for Kids
Discover the history of the pyramids.
Running time: 3:30
Books
Flat Stanley: The Great Egyptian Grave Robber
Stanley is mailed to Egypt to help find an ancient treasure.
There's A Pharaoh In Our Bath!
What will happen when Tony Lightspeed brings home a Pharaoh who has been dead for 4,000 years?
The Scarab's Secret
Khepri the scarab beetle knows the Pharaoh is in danger, how can he warn him?
Casting the Gods Adrift
A thriller set in ancient Egypt between 1351-1354 BC.
The Red Pyramid
The first book of the Kane Chronicles. The gods of Ancient Egypt are unleashed in the modern day.
See Inside Ancient Egypt
A super lift the flap book about life in Ancient Egypt.
1,000 Facts About Ancient Egypt
A fact-filled reference book for learning about Ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs
A fact-filled reference book for learning about Ancient Egypt.
Links
- Find out about Ancient Egyptian Inventions.
- Type some messages using the hieroglyphic typewriter.
- Visit the Ancient Egyptian section of the Children’s’ University Manchester.
- The British Museum has a wealth of information about Ancient Egypt to explore.
- There are games about Ancient Egypt on the National Museums Scotland site.
- Have a look around an Ancient Egyptian temple.
- This android app reconstructs Ancient Egypt in 3D.
- 10 facts about Ancient Egypt.
- Try some Ancient Egyptian art lessons.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
