Summer World Culture Camp at Home: A Free 5-Day Plan with Printable Activities
Plan a free 5-day cultural camp at home! Day by-day schedule exploring Japan, Ghana, Mexico, India, and Brazil with printable activities, crafts, and recipes for kids ages 4 to 10.
Summer stretches out like an ocean for children, exciting at first, then slowly filling with "I'm bored." But what if each day was a trip to a different country? What if Monday was Japan and Friday was Brazil? This 5-day World Culture Camp transforms your living room into a global classroom, with each day following the same simple structure that children (and parents) can count on.
How the Camp Works
Each day focuses on one country and follows a consistent schedule:
Morning (30 min): Language & Geography, Learn 5 words, find the country on a map
Midday (45 min): Craft & Culture, Make something traditional
Afternoon (30 min): Cooking, Prepare a simple snack from that country
Evening (15 min): Story & Reflection, Read a folktale and discuss the day
Total active time: about 2 hours per day, spread out to avoid burnout. The rest of the day is for playing, swimming, reading, or using MaiMai's Global Adventures to dive deeper into the day's country. (MaiMai's Global Adventures)
Day 1: Japan, Land of the Rising Sun
Morning: Language & Geography
Find Japan on a map or globe. Learn 5 Japanese words: Konnichiwa (hello), Arigatou (thank you), Sayonara (goodbye), Oishii (delicious), Kawaii (cute). Practice using them throughout the day.
Midday: Origami Fish
Fold simple origami fish from colorful paper. While crafting, talk about why fish are important in Japanese culture (island nation, seafood diet, koi symbolism). Hang finished fish on a string for a "Japanese ocean" decoration.
Materials: Colored paper, string, tape
Afternoon: Onigiri (Rice Balls)
Make triangular rice balls with your choice of filling. Wrap in nori. Talk about bento boxes and how Japanese children eat lunch at school.
Evening: The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Read a simplified version of Japan's oldest known folktale, about a tiny princess found inside a bamboo stalk. Discuss: "What stories do we tell in our family?"
Day 2: Mexico, Colors and Celebrations
Morning: Language & Geography
Find Mexico on a map. Learn 5 Spanish words: Hola (hello), Gracias (thank you), Amigo (friend), Fiesta (party), Corazón (heart).
Midday: Papel Picado Banners
Fold and cut tissue paper to create traditional perforated paper banners. String them across the room for instant fiesta atmosphere. Talk about how Mexicans use papel picado to decorate for every celebration.
Materials: Tissue paper, scissors, string
Afternoon: Fruit with Tajín
Cut up mango, cucumber, and pineapple. Add lime juice and Tajín seasoning. Discuss how Mexican street food culture works, vendors on every corner with fresh fruit, elote, and tacos.
Evening: The Legend of the Quetzal
Read about the sacred quetzal bird of Guatemala and Mexico, how its feathers were more valuable than gold to the ancient Maya. Discuss: "What animals are special in our culture?"
Day 3: India, Spice and Spirit
Morning: Language & Geography
Find India on a map. Learn 5 Hindi words: Namaste (hello/respect), Dhanyavaad (thank you), Dost (friend), Paani (water), Khana (food).
Midday: Rangoli Floor Art
Create rangoli designs using colored rice, chalk, or colored sand on dark paper. Discuss how Indian families make rangoli at their doorsteps to welcome guests and invite good fortune.
Materials: Colored rice or chalk, dark paper
Afternoon: Mango Lassi
Blend mango, yogurt, milk, and honey for a refreshing Indian drink. Talk about how India grows more mangoes than any other country, over 20 million tons per year!
Evening: The Story of Ganesha
Read a child friendly version of how the elephant headed god Ganesha got his elephant head. Discuss: "What makes this story different from stories we usually read?"
Day 4: Kenya, Rhythm and Running
Morning: Language & Geography
Find Kenya on a map. Learn 5 Swahili words: Jambo (hello), Asante (thank you), Rafiki (friend), Simba (lion), Hakuna Matata (no worries).
Midday: Maasai Beaded Jewelry
String colorful beads on pipe cleaners to make bracelets, discussing the meaning of each color in Maasai culture: red for bravery, blue for energy and sky, green for land, white for peace.
Materials: Colorful beads, pipe cleaners
Afternoon: Chapati with Honey
Make simple flatbread on a stovetop. Talk about how chapati is a staple food in Kenya eaten at almost every meal, and how Kenyan families cook together.
Evening: Anansi the Spider
Read an Anansi trickster tale from West Africa (also popular in Kenya). These clever spider stories teach wisdom through humor. Discuss: "What lesson did Anansi learn?"
Day 5: Brazil, Rhythm and Joy
Morning: Language & Geography
Find Brazil on a map. Learn 5 Portuguese words: Olá (hello), Obrigado/Obrigada (thank you), Amigo (friend), Legal (cool), Saudade (missing someone you love).
Midday: Carnival Mask
Decorate a paper plate mask with feathers, sequins, glitter, and bright paint. Talk about how Rio's Carnival is the biggest party in the world, with 2 million people dancing in the streets every day for a week.
Materials: Paper plate, feathers, sequins, paint, elastic string
Afternoon: Brigadeiros
Make Brazil's famous chocolate truffles, condensed milk, cocoa powder, butter, rolled in sprinkles. Talk about how no Brazilian birthday party is complete without brigadeiros.
Evening: Camp Graduation!
Print certificates for each child. Review the week: "What was your favorite country? What surprised you? What do you want to learn more about?" Play music from all five countries during a mini "around the world" dance party.
Printable Resources
Our coloring pages include designs from all five countries featured in this camp. Use our Language Learning page for pronunciation of the words listed above, and explore more about each country's customs on our Cultural Etiquette Guide. (coloring pages · Language Learning · Cultural Etiquette Guide)