Early Explorers
November 12, 2022
Marco Polo for Kids Lesson Plan (w/ Henry the Navigator)

Marco Polo for Kids Lesson Plan (w/ Henry the Navigator)

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Have fun learning about early explorers such Marco Polo for kids and Prince Henry the Navigator for kids with these clever hands on history activities and free explorer printables! These Marco Polo activities are fun for elementary age kids from kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Have fun learning about early explorers such Marco Polo for kids and Prince Henry the Navigator for kids with these clever hands on history activities and free explorer printables! These Marco Polo activities are fun for elementary age kids from kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Early Explorers for Kids

Next up in our hands-on history unit we are learning about famous early explorers Marco Polo for Kids and Henry the Navigator for kids. This is part of our engaging, fun early explorers for kids unit. These Marco Polo activities are sure to captivate your children’s attention and help them to remember the material. These explorer activities for kids are ideal for preschoolers, kindergarteners, grade1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students.

 

Marco Polo Activities

Marco Polo was an Italian merchant and explorer who was born in Venice in 1254. At 17 years of age, he traveled with his father and uncle on the Silk Road to China where he met the great ruler Kublai Khan. Marco traveled much of China and the east, and his stories were written into a popular book The Travels of Marco Polo.

Walk the Silk Route

We walked the silk route (like Marco Polo did).  Basically I made a large maze (see image above) and I put different items along our route to ‘discover’. Items we discovered along the way  were things that were new to the Europeans during this period of history. They were impressed with Marco Polo’s discoveries of the umbrella, coal, paper money, postal system, kite, hot water from tap, and good roads.

  • We learned about camels (we were going to make a sock puppet camel, but we ran out of time and had recently made snowman out of socks)
  • Math in Early Explorers – It took 4 years for Marco Polo to get to China to meet Kublai Khan – how many days/month/years is that?
  • Discovering Silk – Explore silk by going to a fabric store. I let the kids explore with their hands. They felt the difference in materials: silk was a favorite =-)
  • Tasting Chinese Food – Chinese is one of our favorite kinds of food so I whipped up some Kung Pao for dinner. You could also easily get some take out and eat out of the fun take out containers!
  • Watch National Geographic: Marco Polo’s Travels
  • Marco Polo Books for Kids – Favorite books to teach about Marco Polo in order of preference: #1 – Marco Polo by Demi (our cover looks different; it has beautiful illustrations that are gold & look like they are from the old Orient, tells the story in good depth for K-4th), #2 – written like a comic so great for a kid who is reading; summarized story but covers the highlights, #3 – you are the servant traveling with Marco Polo; good reality check with illustrations & information; written for 1st-6th grade
Marco Polo for Kids- hands on homeschool historySpice Painting for Kids homeschool history

Spice Painting of Kublai Khan’s Palace

We explored spices from the East: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, pepper, saffron, and poppy.  After smelling & feeling the differences in texture – we made a painting with the spices of Kublai Khanh’s palace. He LOVED this sensory activity! I love when history comes alive to young learners.

   

Marco Polo Lesson Plan

Completed Marco Polo section of lapbook along with 2 review worksheets. To get this Marco Polo printable simply scroll the the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The pdf file will open in a new window for you to save the freebie and print the sheets. Click on picture to grab. (Note: Viking & Marco Polo elements are in same file)

 

Prince Henry the Navigator for Kids

Wondering about who Henry the Navigator for Kids was? Prince Henry the Navigator was a prince from Portugal, the third son of King John I of Portugal. Born in 1394, he was never a navigator himself, but Henry sponsored a great deal of exploration along the west coast of Africa. The Portuguese Prince is regarded as an originator of the Age of Discovery and the Atlantic slave trade. He also discovered the first shipping routes directly from Europe to Asia for the Portuguese monarchy.
Homeade Compass for Kids

DIY Compass for Kids

We made a compass – Find a plastic lid (think the size of a mayonnaise jar) and fill it with water. Slice a carrot, zucchini, etc. Strike a needle with a magnet 40 times and insert in veggie. Put veggie in the lid with water & watch it work! Goofy that it was pretty cool!! (need a step-by-step instructions, see homemade compass)

Compass Scavenger Hunt

We had a Compass Scavenger Hunt (I would give you a printable, but this was personal to our house so it wouldn’t do you much good.) The children went certain number of paces N or S, turned East, etc. He thought it was so much fun he asked to do it again!

Henry the Navigator Books

I did not find any good book to read on Prince Henry…. so we read the information about him I found online and located Portugal & Africa on a map. (Because of this there is not a lapbook on him, but we did pencil him in to our lapbook timeline.)

Vikings for Kid s- this is a fun hands on history unit that will help make history come alive including history activities, history crafts, free history printables and more for learning about early explorers #vikings #history #homeschoolingDive into the history of exploration, with these fun and free Explorer coloring pages. These history coloring sheets are perfect for learning about famous exploreres for kids! Kids can color the pictures of explorers and then read about these Europeans who traveled and explored the world. The early explorers for kids include: Alexander Mackenzie, Amerigo Vespucci, Bartolomeu Dias, Sir Francis Drake, George Vancouver, Hernando de Soto, Jacques Marquette, Captain James Cook, Panfilo de Narvárez, Robert de la Salle, Samuel de Champlain, Simon Fraser, and Walter Raleigh. Simply print the explorer worksheets to read, color and learn with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and 2nd graders. Kids will have fun learning about early explorers with this 5 week, hands-on history lessons for kids of all ages. This Early Explorers for Kids unit includes fun early explorers activities, lapbook, free printable explorer worksheets, and more to make learning fun. Whether you are looking for a history for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. Learn about famous explorers for kids with these free printable European explorers worksheets to read, color, learn, and create a reader. Learn about thirteen different explorers for children who traveled around the world in ships, in search for new and distant lands. Use this free printable as part of a history, explorer or Old and New World study filled with facts about explorers for first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Facts about explorers

You may also enjoy these other great activities:

Vikings for Kid s- this is a fun hands on history unit that will help make history come alive including history activities, history crafts, free history printables and more for learning about early explorers #vikings #history #homeschooling lewis-and-clark-lesson-for-kids native americans for kids Learn all about the Sixties for kids with this American History for Kids reader for kids to color and learn! Learn about life in the 1960s with elementary age students from pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.  Simply print pdf file with 1960s for kids for kids to learn about life in the 60s while having fun coloring the cute pictures and learning about the birth of 'Smiley,' Barbie, and lava lamps.

History Lessons for Kids

Check out one of or MANY engaging, Free history lessons for kids

  • Explore American History for kids including lots of fun, hands on activities and free printables
  • Dive into Mesopotamia History to learn about Gilgamesh
  • 4 week lesson about Early Explorers for Kids
  • Learn about castles, knights, and more in this exciting Middle Ages for Kids
  • Make a teepee, dig for arrowheads, color our printable books and more in this Native Americans for Kids lessons
  • The Colonial America for Kids lesson takes kids on a journey back to the first permanent settlement in America – Jamestown. Students will learn about colonial life with lots of hands on projects like eating Gruel, making a Wattle & Daub house, and creating a tin lantern will make the settlement come alive.
  • We will make westward expansion for kids come alive for kids as they learn facts about the time period from about 1783-1898. In addition to learning about the Oregon trail, pony express, gold rush, transcontinental railroad, students will also learn to match animal trails, map the united states, and learn about North American animals too.
  • Civil War for Kids – students will learn about slavery, famous Americans from the Civil War, famous battles, and how our nation stayed together. Lesson includes printable worksheets, mapping activities, printable civil war board game and more!
  • Learn about US States for Kids – state coloring pages, president coloring pages, state report forms, states and capital printables, and so much more!
  • Pennant History Posters to see US History At-a-Glance
  • Learn about the Roaring 1920s for Kids – Printable Book to Read, Color, and Learn
  • Rosa Parks for Kids Printable Reader to Color and Learn
  • Martin Luther King Jr for Kids Printable Reader to Color and Learn
  • Titanic for Kids Reader to Color and Learn
  • Learn about the Roaring 1920s for Kids – Printable Book to Read, Color, and Learn
  • 1930s for Kids – Printable Book about the Golden age of Hollywood, Great Depression for Kids and more to read, color, and learn
  • Life in the 1940s America for Kids Reader
  • Learn about the trading of goods that began in 1941 with this Columbian Exchange for Kids printable reader.
  • Anne Frank for Kids Printable Reader to read, color, and learn about this Jewish girl who lived behind the wall in Holland during World War 2
  • 1950s for Kids Reader to Color, Learn and read about what life was like in America in 1950
  • Life in the 1960s for Kids Printable book to read, color and learn about life in the 1960s
  • Learn about platform shoes, disco, the beginning of Star Wars and more with this 1970s for kids Reader
  • 1980s for kids Reader to read, color, and learn!
  • 1990s for Kids Printable Reader filled with information about fashion, technology, Presidents, and more!
  • Learn about life for early 2000s Kids with these american history printables to read, color, and learn!
  • Review what you’ve leanred with these American History Worksheets (Notebooking)
16 Printable Country Studies for Kids - children will have fun learning about countries around the world with this fun resource perfect for pre k, kindergarten, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 including Kenya, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Netherlands, Mexico, China, Philippines, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Chile, Colombia, Australia, and Costa Rica. FREE Printable Maps for kids -blank maps of the world, africa, asia, australia, south america, north america, united states, antarctica, Europe and more. Include blank maps and labeled maps. Use them with any social studies / geography program with kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, and 7th grade students to visualize the world at a glance or dive deep into finding countries, continents, rivers / mountains, oceans, etc. Includes both blank printable maps and labeled as well. tralia, united states, europe and more both blank and labeled for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, elementary, middle school, and high school #printablemaps #geography #homeschooling  Make geography come alive by using these free printable passport for kids. Childrne can pretend like they are traveling all around the world as they study and learn about other countries while keeping a record of where they've been. This free printable passport activity is fun for toddler, preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade students. Inside their passport for kids they can put their picture, personal information, signarure, and informatin about the countries they travel to. Simply print pdf the free printable passport for kids file and you are ready to go around the world! FREE Lego Challenge Cards - free printable STEAM education uses lego or duplo bricks to help students learn about famous buildings and landmarks from around the world. This fun learning activity is great for parents, teachers, school at home and homeschoolers from preschool, pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade students.

Geography for Kids

Looking for more resources and free worksheets to teach students about geography for kids? You will love these coloring sheets, printable maps, books, activities and games:

us presidents coloring pagesIt is important to teach children about how we elect the president of the United States of America. This simple, no prep Voting for Kids reader will help pre k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students. This printable election book is perfect for preparing children for November elections! Kids will have fun learning about the United States for Kids with these super cute state coloring pages. Each of the free printable, 50 states coloring pages includes a state map, state flags, state flower, state bird, state landmark, and more. Use the united states coloring page with preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders. These Simply print 50 states coloring pages pdf and you are ready to play and learn about the usa for kids!  american-symbols-for-kids-read-color-and-learn

United States Lesson for Kids

Help children learn about the great country of the United States with these free printables and resources:


marco polo lesson plans worksheets

FREE Marco Polo Lapbook and Worksheets for Homeschoolers

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>> Marco Polo Lapbook <<

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables – www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com. Beth studied at the University of Northwestern where she got a double major to make her effective at teaching children while making education FUN!

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  1. Darla Avatar
    Darla

    Wow cannot wait to do this with my 3rd grader. I am always looking for way to bring history alive. Thank you!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Gorden Avatar
      Beth Gorden

      Thanks – it sure made it come alive to my kiddos =)

      Reply