German traditions have an important place in American culture, especially when it comes to kids. Most of us don't realize just how many customs we have today that come from Germany. From everyday arts and crafts to folk tales to holiday traditions, there are lots of great ways to incorporate German culture into quality time with your children!
Arts & Crafts
One of the best ways for children to improve motor skills and bond with parents and teacher is through arts and crafts. One great activity to get kids excited for back to school is a traditional German craft called Schultüte, which literally translated means "school sack." A Schultüte is simply a piece of paper that the children decorate and is rolled into a cone shape and secured with glue or tape. The cone is then filled with treats for the children to enjoy on the first day of school.
Another great craft to introduce children to German culture is an environmental one. Introduce your children to the importance of alternative energy sources by making windmills. Using an empty toilet paper roll for the base, allow the children to paint or glue windows and doors onto it. Then help them cut two arms for the windmill from card paper or construction paper. Attach these to the roll with a brad and you're finished.
Not only is crafting a good way to develop kids' confidence and motor skills, but you can also open their minds to new cultures and ideas!
German Märchen
Believe it or not, our most popular children's fairy tales and folk tales originated in Germany. Stories like Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, Little Red Riding Hood and Hänsel and Gretel are just a few of the famous stories authored by The Brothers Grimm over a hundred years ago. Though some of the tales (märchen in German) are intended for slightly older children, the main point of these stories was to encourage children to behave and obey their parents.
Another idea for your kids to establish a connection with German culture is to let them listen to these märchen as audiobooks. If you want your child to learn German, starting early with familiar stories would be a great way to get them excited about learning a new language!
Seasonal and Holiday Ideas
In Germany, the most popular holidays hold both religious and secular importance, much like they do in America. This leaves a lot of room for children to participate in the celebration of holidays such as Christmas (Weihnachten) and Easter (Ostern).
In fact, many holiday traditions most families have, are rooted in Germany. A gingerbread house at Christmas time is fun to build and yummy for kids of any age. Also at Christmas time, children in some towns construct paper bag lanterns and lead a procession to the castle on a hilltop. At Easter time, many families spend the afternoon participating in Easter egg hunts with children or decorating eggs with paint or dye. In Germany, these eggs are then put on string and hung from branches of trees inside and outside the home.
If you get creative with your child, there are lots of fun ways to integrate new culture into everyday activities and learn something new!
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