If you’re like my family and many around the world, you’ll be glued to the TV at all hours, watching the 2016 Olympics from Rio de Janeiro, which start Friday, August 5, and run for 17 sports-filled days. The Olympic Games have been fascinating us since 776 B.C. in Ancient Greece, where they were a one-day event featuring running, long jump, shot put, javelin, boxing, equestrian sports, and a martial art called pankration. Five city-states (think Athens and Sparta) competed for the prize, a crown made of olive leaves.
In addition to watching them, there are many ways to celebrate and enjoy the Olympics right from your own home.
Learn Something about Another Country
With 206 countries competing in the 2016 Olympics, from Afghanistan to Zimbabawe, there are plenty of countries and cultures to become acquainted with. (Kosovo and South Sudan will be participating for the first time.) Try finding some of the more obscure ones on a map or globe. Or try one of these Olympic Map Activities from Creative Family Fun.
I’ve long been fascinated with the flags of other countries, and I bet many others are, too. Make a fun flag handprint wreath, using these wonderful flag printables from Activity Village.
There is also no shortage of interesting food you can make from every corner of the globe. This list of food from around the world will certainly get you started. Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Indian and Japanese food always sound good to me and my family, but we can be convinced to branch out even further, especially during the Olympics. For additional inspiration, see what school lunch looks like in 20 other countries. (Below, Ghana and Japan.)
Explore Rio de Janeiro and Brazil
Did you know that Brazil was home to inhabitants 32,000 years ago? Learn about Brazil‘s geography, nature, economy and more from National Geographic Kids. Learn about Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, a yearly celebration that features more than 200 samba schools and dates from 1723.
The Olympics offers a terrific excuse to try some Brazilian recipes, such as Pão de Queijo, a yummy cheese bread from The Kitchn or other recipes from Brazil, such as this Molten Brigadeiro Cake from Latin Kitchen.
Get Inspired to Achieve Your Dreams and to Be a Good Sport
Most people can’t help but be inspired by watching Olympic athletes — indeed, that’s a large part of the fascination of the games. Just about every Olympic athlete sacrificed something to get to the top of his or her sport. While all great athletes show tremendous dedication, discipline and ability, some have overcome more setbacks than others. These 10 inspiring Olympic athletes have endured such hardships as debilitating injuries, abuse, and growing up during wartime.
U.S. Boxer Queen Underwood
The Olympics can inspire you to be active and healthy, and also to achieve your dreams. While urging you to do your best in any endeavor, they can also teach good sportsmanship – as they invariably demonstrate that achievement often comes with disappointment. Sometimes, no matter what your training and background, it’s not your day to win. The best athletes know how to lose with grace, too. These are a few great Olympic sportsmanship moments. “The most important thing is .. not to win but to take part” reads part of the Olympic Creed.
Get Active with a Backyard Olympics
So you don’t have a balance beam or a javelin handy? You can still create your own version of the Games with a Backyard Olympics. Ucreate offers lots of ideas for Olympic-inspired games and activities that are fun and easy to pull off. Don’t forget your homemade Olympic torch from Hoosier Homemade. (See more craft ideas for your Backyard Olympics, below.)
Explore an Olympic Sport
You may find yourself so inspired by one of the 34 Olympic sports, from archery to wrestling, that you want to get involved in a local club. Learn more about each Olympic sport from NBC’s Gold Map.
Make Olympic Crafts
These ribbon wands from Sunhats and Wellie Boots will make anyone feel like a rhythmic gymnast or, at the very least, an enthusiastic celebrant.
You can also make these cute and clever DIY Olympic gold medals using clay, courtesy of Cindy Hopper from Alphamom.
No Time for Flashcards offers more easy Olympic crafts for kids. Because I love alphabet-bead projects (and have some in my book), I’m partial to these fun Go Team Go beaded bracelets.
And, for those who want to get in touch with their inner Ancient Greek, this is a fun laurel crown and toga project from Creekside Learning.
Make Olympic-Themed Food
Yes, we’ve circled back to food. The Olympics offer lots of great opportunities for fun themed food to go with your celebration or viewing.
From Sweetology 101 comes these super-cute Olympic Torch cupcakes.
Or you might want to let the Olympic rings inspire these colorful Olympic ring cookies from The Decorated Cookie.
Cheers to a wonderful, fun-filled 2016 Olympic Games!
Photos: About.com, Activity Village, whatsforschoollunch.blogspot.com, oprah.com/food/School-Lunches-Around-the-World-Gallery-Steven-Stern/6, Latin Kitchen/Kate Sears, Bleacher Report, Fiskars, Sunhats and Wellie Boots, AlphaMom, No Time for Flashcards, Creekside Learning, The Decorated Cookie
