The Magic Flying Carpet Game

The Magic Flying Carpet Game is one of Sops’ and my favourite games of all time. We made it up together when Sops was little. It is a great way to spend an active afternoon with your family. All you need is a heap of imagination and a can-do attitude.

In this post, we will explain the basic concept of the game and then share lots of ideas of things to do as you visit countries all over the world.

The Game

When Sops was young we used to play the Magic Flying Carpet Game. We would both sit on a mat in the living room and play the music, “A whole new world,” from Disney’s ‘Aladdin’. I would show Sops which country we were going on the globe to give her an idea of how many countries we would have to fly over to get there. Then we would sway from side to side lifting the sides of the mat. As we ‘flew’ we would point out imaginary landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Pyramids in Egypt. Then we would usually ‘crash land’ in the country of our choice. 

Once we had arrived in the country we would use online resources to learn some of the languages. We would put together a scrapbook of our Adventures. Then we would add pictures of people from that country or key places of interest in the scrapbook. I would cook something of the local food, e.g. a curry if we visited India. During our dinner, we would listen to traditional music from our destination. Then we would watch a film set in the place of the country, (usually a Disney Film). After the film, we would hop back onto the ‘flying carpet’ and make our way back home. It was most fun and a really interesting way to spend an afternoon.  

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Places to Visit

Whilst you are whiling the hours in the holidays or during a particularly wet and windy weekend wishing you could be sitting on a hot beach in the Bahamas, why don’t you hop on your own Magic Flying Carpet and go visit the Caribbean in your imagination? Here are some ideas of places to visit and activities to do:

Italy

Italy is a beautiful country. I have visited it before with my mother and we enjoyed looking around many art galleries and churches. We also loved the food. I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, so one day I hope to return with Sops. Here are some activities to do when you travel there on your magic flying carpet:
Paint the flag.
Draw a map of Italy and compare it to a boot.
Look up Italian artists and their works. Try and copy one of the great Renaissance pictures such as The Mona Lisa.
Learn some Italian Phrases.
Food: Pizza (try homemade pizza), Spaghetti Bolognese, Pasta, Lasagne
Movies: The Italian Job, Lady and the Tramp (okay, it’s set in America, but the restaurant they dine in is Italian and that’s good enough for us.)

China

Sops and I love going to China on the magic flying carpet.  We have always wanted to visit the country for real.  I was fascinated in it when I was young and my favourite book as a child was an Usbourne book called ‘This is China’.  It’s out of print now, but I loved it when I was young. Here are things you can do in China from the magic flying carpet:
Paint the flag. 
Look up Chinese horoscopes and read about the Year of the Ox, (2021).
Practice some of the gorgeous calligraphy, learning the words as you try.
Research the wildlife and cut out pictures of panda bears for the scrap book.
Food: Stir fry veg with noodles and Sweet and Sour Sauce, or better still get a Chinese Takeaway. Don’t forget the Fortune cookies. 
Movies: Mulan or Kung Fu Panda.

India

India is a great country. Rich in culture, history and spirituality. Sops and I enjoy visiting India on our magic flying carpet. We can smell the spices in the air (as I slow cook a curry). And we love to drink Chai and read about the wildlife in India. Here are some thing you can do when you visit India in your own home:
Paint the Flag.
There are over 22 different languages in India. Why not learn a few phrases from one of them. 
Research the Jungle and cut out pictures of wildlife for your scrapbook
India is a spiritual hub in Asia. 
Watch videos on key religions in India such as Hinduism or Sikhism.
Food: Curries.  We recommend a mild curry such as Korma.  Just remember that Tika Masala and Coronation Chicken were invented in Britain and not India.
Research Ghandi and how he helped liberate India peacefully.
Movies: Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’. A Bollywood film. There are some great Bollywood films depicting some of the Hindu legends which are definitely interesting to watch.

Kenya

We picked Kenya as an African country as it has a huge national park that features most of the common safari creatures that people would recognise.  But Africa has many wonderful diverse countries, which are definitely worth exploring. Why not go on safari on your magic flying carpet? If the lions are looking too fierce you can always fly higher.
Paint the flag.
Cut out images of safari animals and stick them in the scrapbook.
Watch a video on the daily life of a Kenyan child.
Food: Try a Kenyan recipe: Mishkaki (small skewered meat pieces BBQ’d on an open fire); or corn on a cob BBQ.
Movies: The Lion King, Out of Africa.

Israel & Palestine

Israel and Palestine have a rich religious and cultural history. It’s worth sharing the delights of the two nations and why they are so important to Jews, Muslims and Christians alike.
Paint the Flags for both Israel and Palestine
Draw a map of key places in Israel that features in the bible.
Research Jerusalem and why it is important to 3 major faiths in the world.
Watch The Holy Fire Ceremony
Language: Learn some Hebrew phrases
Food: Jewish people have strict laws regarding food.  The food has to be ‘Kosher’ for Jewish people to eat it.  Try some of their delicious dishes.
Movies: The Prince of Egypt, The Miracle Maker.

England

Sops and I live in England and it’s such a beautiful country to visit. The poet William Blake described England as, “a green and pleasant land”, and Shakespeare describes England as this:

“This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

As you can see England is rich in history and literature and it’s definitely worth visiting on the flying carpet. Here are things to do on your magical carpet “visit” to England:
Paint the flag of England.
Read a great classic children’s novel e.g. The Secret Garden, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows
Learn Morris Dancing
Act out a scene from a Shakespeare play
Create a Timeline of key historical events in England
Food: Full English Breakfast, Fish and Chips, Sunday Roast (with Yorkshire pudding) Steak and Kidney Pie
Movies: Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, The Railway Children, Peter Pan, The Pirates: An Adventure with Scientists.

The Gambia & Senegal

The Gambia is a lovely nation set around The Gambia River that flows out of West Africa into the Atlantic Ocean. It is developing as a tourist destination and is a great warm place to visit in the winter months.

Senegal is a larger country that surrounds The Gambia. It was occupied by the French during the latter part of the 19th Century and gained independence in 1960. Therefore, the predominant language in Senegal is French.

Both The Gambia and Senegal have been occupied by European powers and the nations have served as trade routes throughout the world. Sadly, this has included the trade of human slaves in the past.

One of the best features of The Gambia and Senegal is the Niokolo-Koba National Park. The park covers over 1 million hectares and includes loads of different ecosystems from major waterways, like The Gambia River, to dry forests. Therefore, there is a huge variety of wildlife including typical safari animals such as elephants and wild African dogs, as well as monkeys. And there are a lot of wild monkeys in these countries, always trying to steal your nuts!

Sops and I have visited The Gambia. Sops visited a school that was twinned with her own primary school and it was a real eye opener for her. The children had very little, but seemed happy and certainly appreciated the education they received.

If you want to travel to Senegal and The Gambia on your magic flying carpet here are some things to do:
Paint the flags of Senegal and The Gambia
Draw an image of an animal from the Niokolo-Koba National Park (Maybe a monkey eating a nut).
Read some African folk Tales.
Write 3 facts about the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Consider sponsoring a child in Africa. You can make a new friend from another country and help pay for their education.
Food: There are some wonderful, flavoursome dishes from The Gambia and Senegal. It may be something very different to what you are used yo, but if you are a confident cook give a few dishes a try from The Kitchn.com website.
Movies: Out of Africa, The Queen of Katwe (Disney+)

Greece

Greece is a fantastic country set in the heart of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas and it is rich in classical history. Greece has thousands of islands in the Aegean sea, although only 105 islands are inhabited. Crete is the largest island where the Minotaur supposedly dwelt. Also, St John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, where he purportedly had his Revelation visions.

Sops and I would love to take a cruise around Greece. But in the meantime, we have a magic flying carpet to take our imaginations to the ancient islands. Here are some things to do in Greece:
Paint the Flag
Re-enact a Greek myth. But be warned, they are all really bleak.
Read about the Greek Philosophers and write about your favourite philosopher.
Draw a map of Greece and some of the islands
Set up your own Olympic Games in the neighbourhood, (but make sure you do it with your clothes on! The ancient Greek athletes held the Games in the nod (naked).
Food: Moussaka, Hummus Dips, Tsoureki Muffins (don’t forget to smash up your plates after your dinner)
Movies: Disney’s Hercules (of course), Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief (sure it is set in USA, but features Greek Gods). Mamma Mia is set in Greece.

United States of America

What a magnificent country the USA is. It is so large it has 6 time zones! The USA has such a diverse landscape. It has forests, deserts, mammoth cities and awesome beaches on both coasts. When Sops and I visited America we thought we had arrived in the land of the giants. Everything was HUGE. The roads were so big I didn’t realise we could cross them initially. It was like crossing the M25! And when we visited Walmart everything was sold in bulk. America is big in scope and big in personality and that is why we love it so much. Here are some things to do in “the land of the free”.

Paint the Flag
Learn the National anthem.
Draw a picture of the statue of liberty
Recite a great American speech. For example, President Lincoln’s ‘Gettysberg Speech’. Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream‘ speech.
Quiz: Identify all 52 states on a map
Food: Hamburgers, with lashings of toppings. Corn on the cob, covered in butter or spices. Southern friend Chicken. Popcorn. American fluffy pancakes. Americanrecipies.co.uk provide great American recipes for a British audience.
Movies: Captain America, Cars, Independence Day (suitable for children 11+) Forrest Gump (suitable for children 15+) Hamilton (suitable for children 11+) The Muppet Movie, Homeward Bound.

France

Bonjour, and welcome to the country of romance and culture. I have visited France a few times and I think it is a beautiful country. It has a rich history and delicious food. France is also a nation of writers and philosophers and has blessed the world with timeless tales and highly original literature. French is one of the most common languages spoken in the world today. Nearly 30 countries worldwide use French as their official language. If you want to visit France on your magic flying carpet here are things to do:

Paint the Flag
Learn some French lingo.
Copy an Impressionist painting
Re-enact a great French novel such as Notre Dame de Paris or The Three Musketeers
Sing a song from Les Miserables
Run a French cafe for the day
Build a replica of a French monument such as The Effiel Tower or Notre Dame
Food: Crossants, Beef Bourguignon French onion soup, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Creme Brulee
Movies: Ratatouille, Beauty and the Beast, The 3 Musketeers, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Aristocats

Spain

Hola! Welcome to Spain. The country of passion and partying. The Spaniards love their fiestas. They also like their siestas, and who doesn’t like a nice restful nap in the heat of a summer’s day? After all “only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun“. I have never been to Spain, but I would love to go one day. This is because it has a great rich history with both Islamic and Catholic influences in it’s art and culture. And I do love exploring religious cultures. Spain is also known for delicious food such as Tapas and beautiful classical guitar music. If it is a hot day where you live, why not hop on your magic flying carpet and and a fiesta in Spain? Here are some activities to try in Spain:

Paint the Flag
Learn some Spanish phrases
Learn some Spanish dancing steps
Make some Maracas and Castanets
Paint an abstract portrait of someone you know in the style of Picasso.
Listen to Classic Spanish guitar music
Host your own Spanish fiesta
Food: Tapas Dishes, Paella, Tortilla (Spanish Omlette), Bunyols De Vent (Catalan Donuts)
Movies: Not many films are set in Spain that is suitable for the whole family, so we will look to Latin America for inspiration as well: El Dorado. The Man who killed Don Quixote (15+), A trip to Spain (15+) Macho Libre, Ferdinand.

Japan

Japan is known as the Land of the Rising Sun. There is even a symbol of the sun on their flag. This is because it is the first nation where the sun rises each day. Japan is also one of the leading nations in technology. They like to experiment with new technology and they seem obsessed with making robots. But Japan also has a great rich cultural history. It is a proud nation and values honour and peace. Japan is known for building beautiful earthquake-resistant pagodas and creating tranquil gardens. I have never been to Japan but I would love to visit the country that honours cats, cartoons and all things miniature. Also, Disneyland Tokyo looks awesome. So why not hop on a flying carpet and visit this beautiful land as they host the Olympic Games 2021.

Paint the flag
Learn some of the language
Design and/or build a robot
Create a mini zen garden
Play Pokemon Cards
Host a Japanese Tea Ceremony
Learn some Karate moves
Food: Sushi, Steamed BBQ Pork Bun, Yakisoba Noodles, Tofu Katsui Curry, Cherry Blossom and White chocolate cookies, Strawberry and red bean mochi
Films: Godzilla, Big Hero 6, Spirited Away, Karate Kid II

Canada

Oh, Canada, how much I want to visit you. The home of Anne of Green Gables and handsome Mounties, (if Due South is anything to go by). Canada is the 2nd largest country in the world by total area, but has the fourth lowest population density in the world. It is situated North of the United States of America. Canadians are known to be very polite and friendly. There are two languages spoken in Canada, English and French. Canada is known for maple syrup and ice hockey. Whilst Toronto is the largest populated city in Canada, Ottowa is the capital of Canada.

Most of Canada is made up of forests, mountains, and lakes. It is the home to some awesome animals such as the wood bison, which is the largest land-based mammal in Canada. There are also antelopes, bears, and of course the largest rodent the beaver, which is the Canadian national emblem. Also, the largest animal in the world, the blue whale likes to call Canada it’s home for part of the year.

So wrap up warm and hop onto your Magic Flying Carpet to visit this beautiful county.

Paint the Flag
Read Anne of Green Gables
Create an infographic of Canada’s wildlife
Play a game of hockey
Sing the National Anthem
Food: Poutine, Montreal Bagels, Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls, Timbits, Glazed Maple Shortbread biscuits
Films: Brother Bear, White Fang, Anne of Green Gables (there is a B&W film), Heartland,

Thailand

Thailand is a fascinating ancient country. It used to be known as Siam and its fantastic Buddhist temples, glorious landscapes, and sublime street food has attracted Western tourists for decades. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations attracting over 32 million visitors a year.

Thailand has everything one wants in an adventurous holiday. It has beautiful tropical beaches and magnificent wildlife. Fancy riding an elephant? You can do this in Thailand. You can also experience one of their famous Thailand massages, although I have heard they can be brutal. Have you had a Thai massage before? What was it like? Answer in the comments below.

Buddhism is the main religion in Thailand. they have amazing beautiful temples and gigantic statues of The Buddha. I think it is worth visiting Thailand for that feature alone. The landscape in Thailand is stunning. It is covered in tropical forests with a great water system running through it. There are also tea plantations scattered around the country. Plus mighty mountain ranges. Its landscape is truly diverse. No wonder so many people want to visit Thailand. But be warned, Thailand’s monsoon season lasts for months and the best time to go is the winter months from November to April.

Fancy trying out Thailand in your imagination? Hop on your Magic Flying Carpet and see what this glorious tropical country has to offer.

Paint the Flag
Learn some basic Thai phrases
Draw a picture of a Buddhist Statue featured in Thailand
Create an infographic of Thailand’s wildlife
Try Some Yoga Poses
Food: Thai Satay, Thai Tom Yum Soup, Thai Green Curry, Thai Mango Sticky Rice Pudding
Films: The King & I, Around the World in 80 Days, Two Brothers

Australia

Good Day Sport and welcome to Australia. This country is so large it is practically a continent. It is the home of the Sidney Opera House, Ayres Rock, and the popular soap opera ‘Neighbours”. Australia has a really diverse ecosystem and some unique wildlife like the platypus and koala bear. It has a relatively young history as it was not discovered by Europeans until 1528, but Europeans did not settle in Australia until the 18th century when the British sent convicted criminals to Australia.

Australia is known for having magnificent beaches, awesome surfing conditions, and stunning sea life in the coral reef.

Despite being on the other side of the world it is definitely worth hopping on your Magic Flying Carpet to the land Down Under.

Paint the Flag
Make a didgeridoo
Try some aboriginal art
Create an infographic about Australia’s most dangerous wildlife
Create a model of the coral reef
Food: Chicken Parmigiana, Lamingtons, Grilled Kangaroo, Pavlova
Films: Rescuers Down Under, Australia, Babe, The Dish

Mexico

I have always wanted to go to Mexico. It looks like such a wonderful colourful country. I love Mexican Art, Mexican Music and Mexican Food. For who doesn’t fancy a Taco on Tuesdays?

Mexico has an interesting ancient and colonial history. It has been the home of great ancient civilizations such as the Mayans, Toltecs and Aztecs. It houses great ancient pyramids and archaeological treasures. It was famously conquered by Hernán Cortés in 1521 and he renamed the land Nueva España (New Spain). Missionaries started to settle in the area to convert the natives to Catholicism and now only second to Brazil, Mexico has the largest Roman Catholic population in South America.

Mexico is located in a part of the Pacific known as the Ring of fire where there are a lot of volcanoes and seismic activities. This gives Mexico a wealth of natural resources such as silver, but also an unstable landscape that is prone to natural disasters. Mexico attracts millions of tourists every year keen to soak up the sun on its stunning beaches and to enjoy the unique and diverse culture of the Mexican people.

One of the great annual celebrations of the Mexican people is Día de los Muertos, otherwise known as Day of the Dead. The Mexican people paint their faces as beautiful skulls and celebrate the lives of those who have died. They put photos of their loved ones on display and offer food to the dead. This is their way of remembering their loved ones.

So if you hop on your Magic Flying carpet we suggest you do it on 31st October and celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Mexican people.

Paint the Flag
Learn some chords on the Spanish guitar
Create some Mexican Art
Build a model Aztec pyramid
Consider celebrating Día de los Muertos
Food: Chicken Fatijas, Conchas, Homemade Churros, Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa
Movies; Coco, Book of Life, The 3 Amigos, Nacho Libre, The 3 Caberellos

Germany

Germany is a beautiful country rich in culture and fantastic romantic fairytale castles. It is the birthplace of Romantic Philosophy and the home of The Brothers Grimm.

Germany is one of the leading economies in Europe and celebrates ingenuity and technology. If you buy something from Germany you know it was well made and will last!

And no one can celebrate Christmas as the Germans do! We have Prince Albert to thank for bringing wonderful German Christmas traditions to the UK when he married Queen Victoria. Thanks to Prince Albert we have the Christmas Tree and Christmas cards. So as you are preparing for Christmas why not hop onto your Magic Flying Carpet and visit a German Christmas Market?

Paint the Flag
Learn some German Phrases
Copy a picture of a German Castle
Read a Tale from Brothers Grimm
Make Gingerbread Tree Decorations
Food: Butternocken (Butter Dumplings), German Beef Rouladen, Jaegerschnitzel, German Sausage and Sauerkraut Recipe (thespruceeats.com), Oma’s Apfelkuchen (Grandma’s Apple Cake), Almond Filled Stollen
Films: Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Tangled, The Book Thief

Argentina

Argentina is one of the largest counties situated in South America. It has a varied landscape including Tundra, Mountains, jungle, deserts and plains. The plains are called La Pamba. Argentine people love to ride horses on the plains and they are known as the Gaucho, who live like South American cowboys. To experience the Gaucho life you could book an Estancia Day and stay in the Argentinian wilderness and experience the culture and food of the local people, as well as ride a horse.

Argentinians love football. A friend of mine from Brazil told me they teach children how to play football as soon as they start to walk in Argentina. The national football team is one of the best teams in the world. Playing football is a national pastime.

Many Europeans have settled in Argentina including Spaniards, Italians and even the Irish, and therefore it has a strong Catholic heritage. Argentinian people celebrate the Ephipany like other southern European counties. Children write to the Three Wise Men and leave their shoes out to be filled with presents on 6th January (Epiphany).

Here are some things to do in Argentina if you hop on your magic flying carpet.

Paint the Flag
Learn the Tango
Ride a horse (whether it is a hobby horse or a real one)
Play football/Soccer
Create an infographic of Argentine animals
Host a traditional Argentine dinner party
Food: Asado, Empanada, Choripán, Milanese, Alfajores,
Films: Evita, Valetin.

Scotland

Welcome to the Highlands of Scotland, full of bonny wee lassies, indecipherable poetry and Haggis. Scotland has a great, rich, but bloody history. It seemed to be perpetually at war with its neighbouring nation, England until the two countries were united under King James VI in 1603. 

Scotland prides itself for promoting good education. The nation has produced some brilliant scientists and engineers including Alexander Fleming, Mary Somervile, and James Watt. It has also produced awesome artists and poets such as Robert Burns, Walter Scott, Carol Ann Duffy and Charles MacIntosh.

So wrap up warm and hop on your magic flying carpet to discover the wild and exciting land of the Scots.

Paint the Flag
Learn Scottish dancing for a Ceilah
Research your favourite Scottish artist or scientist
Re-enact the story of Mary Queen of Scots
Read some Robert Burns poems
Food: Haggis, Salmon, Lobster, Cranachan, Tattie scone, Grouse, Scotch pie, Cullen Skink, shortbread
Films: Brave, How to Train a Dragon, Loch Ness

Denmark

Welcome to the land of the Danes. A country that is rich with Viking heritage. Known for bacon and the creator of The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Anderson.

Denmark occupies the peninsular of Jutland, north of Germany. Like Greece it has a mainland and over 400 islands around it. Whilst Denmark is a democracy it also has a royal family, like in the UK. Denmark is famous for having a laid back and groovy atmosphere. The concept of Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) means creating a warm, pleasant atmosphere to enjoy with loved ones and friends. Hygge could mean sitting with friends discussing life, the universe and everything, or going for a picnic or bike ride. It could be boating with chums or attending outdoor festivals. Danes are considered the happiest people on Earth.  

If you want to experience the joy of hygge hop on your magic flying carpet and come to Demark 

Learn the Language 
Act out scenes from Hamlet 
Read a Hans Christian Anderson Story
Go on a bike ride 
Build a Viking ship out of Lego (which originated in Denmark) 
Food: Smørrebrød, Stegt flæsk, Frikadeller (meatballs), Danish Pastries 
Films: The Little Mermaid, Hamlet, The Lego Movie, Princess Emmy 

Wales

We have visited Scotland and England on our magic flying carpet and now it is time to go to Wales, another country within the United Kingdom. Wales is a wonderful mystical nation. It has a strong connection with King Arthur. It also has a beautiful lyrical language. Welsh people are very proud of their culture. They love Rugby, which is their recognised sport. They are also known for their natural musical talent and strong male choirs. One of the tallest mountains in the UK is in Wales, Mount Snowden. It has a beautiful national park that surrounds it.

Sops and I love Wales. We have camped there (in the rain, naturally), and climbed up Snowden. We have visited castles such as Conwy and Camarthen castle. There are so many wonderful things to do in Wales, so pop on your magic carpet and visit this lush land.

Paint the flag
Learn the language
Read King Arthur Stories
Sing the Welsh anthem
Play Rugby
Build a model castle
Food: Welsh Rarebit, Welsh cakes, Cawl, Glamorgan Sausage
Movies: The Englishman Who Went up a Hill but Came down a Mountain, The kid who would be king, Camelot, The Reluctant Dragon, The Black Cauldron

Ireland

Welcome to the Emerald Isle. Ireland has a wonderful rich Celtic heritage. It is known for having lush green fields covered in lucky shamrocks, fantastical Celtic legends and beautiful music.

Ireland is split into two parts. There is the Republic of Ireland in the south. Then there is Northern Ireland in the north, which is part of the United Kingdom. Don’t ask why that is, as Ireland has a long complicated history. However, both the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland have common interests. For one thing, they both have a strong Christian identity and they both revere their Patron, Saint Patrick. Secondly, the Irish enjoy a good glass of Guinness and singing folk songs.

So if you ever fancy flying over a lucky rainbow on your magic to find a pot of gold and a leprechaun, now is your chance.

Paint the flag
Learn some Irish Gaelic
Read some Irish folk tales
Learn some Irish dancing steps
Re-enact the Tale of Saint Patrick
Food: Irish Soda Bread, Beef Stew, Potato Casserole, Irish Cream Bundt Cake, Irish Apple Cake
Films: The Luck of the Irish, The Secret of Roan Inish, Into the West, Darby O’Gill and the Little People

Jamaica

Jamaica is a beautiful exotic island in the Caribbean. It has a wonderfully rich culture and is the home to Raggae music. Jamaica is the most populated island in the Caribbean. It grows bananas, mangoes and sugar cane, although none of these foods are native to Jamaica. Jamaicans are known to be excellent athletes. The fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt is from Jamaica. Also, in 1988 a group of Jamaican athletes became the first Caribbean bobsleigh team. Jamaica is considered to be one of the happiest places to live in the world due to the laid back groovy attitude of its inhabitants.

Paint the Flag
Learn to play the Steel Pan Drums
Learn about the Rastafari Religion
Test how fast you can run on a running track
Sing a Bob Marley song
Read about the pirates in Jamaica
Food: Beef Jerky, Chicken Jerky, Jamaican Beef Patties, Jamaican Bammy, Sticky sweet fried plantains
Movies: Cool Runnings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Marley (rated 13), Treasure Island.

Egypt

Egypt is a fascinating country. It boasts one of the oldest civilisations in the world. Home to the magnificent Egyptian pyramids and the mysterious Valley of the Kings, Egypt hosts some of the greatest ancient monuments ever built. When you visit Egypt, you are dwarfed beneath mighty pillars and statues that are thousands of years old and your perception of life is never quite the same again.

The longest river in the world ends in Egypt. The Nile is the lifeblood of the nation. For thousands of years, the people of Africa have used the Nile to travel, trade and water their crops. The river is just as valuable to modern-day Egyptians as it was to their ancient ancestors.

One of the best ways to see Egypt is from the sky. I once took a hot air balloon over Luxor where I could see the temples of Luxor and Karnak as well as the Valley of the Kings. Egypt is a great place to visit on a magic flying carpet.

Paint to Flag
Build a model pyramid
Read Awesome Egyptians Horrible Histories book
Paint your face like an Egyptian
Make your own Perfume
Dress up like a mummy
Food: Koshari, Fattah, Egyptian Hummus, Egyptian Hawawshi, Om Ali (Bread Pudding), Basbousha.
Movies: The Mummy, The 10 Commandments, Cleopatra, Stargate, Joseph, King of Dreams

Hawaii

Hawaii is an American State. It is also an archipelago (island chain). It sits to the west of America in the Pacific ocean and is a popular holiday destination for Americans.

Hawaii is a beautiful tropical island. It consists of 8 major islands and 124 islets. Hawaii was formed through volcanic eruptions. Most of the volcanoes lay dormant except for Mt Mauna Loa and Mt Kilauea. Occasionally these volcanoes erupt and sprew more melted lava into the sea to grow the islands.

Hawaii contains a wonderful blend of Polynesian and global cultures. Initially, the Polynesians settle in Hawaii c. 5-6 CE. However, in the 18th and 19th Centuries, many Europeans and Asians settle in Hawaii and shared their cultures and religions with the natives. There was a rival of Hawaiian culture in the 1970s and some of their traditions are popular today.

Paint the Flag
Learn the Hula dance
Make a grass skirt
Learn Hawaiian words
Build a model volcano
Read some Hawaiin Folk Tales
Food: Hawaiian Pizza, Hawaiian Chicken, Spam Musubi, Lau Lau, Hawaiin Guava Cake, Haupia (Coconut pudding)
Movies: Lilo and Stitch, Moana, 50 First Dates (12), Aloha

Watch This Space

Watch this space for more ideas of countries to visit. Please do share ideas from the countries you come from. What are the best recipes from your native nation? What are the best places to visit in your country? If you decide to travel on your own magic carpet at home, please do share your photos and experiences in the comment box below or on the Forum.