Peruse the Internet for examples of hieroglyphic inscriptions. Look at the pictures and try to understand what is on the pictures. Hieroglyphic signs were used to keep records of the king's possessions, and there are signs for boats or cows. There are around 700 different signs; it takes time to learn to read the messages. Nevertheless, some signs are included in most writings.
Use hieroglyphic inscriptions to describe different ways that hieroglyphs were written. Hieroglyphs can be read from left to right, right to left, or top to bottom. The reading direction depends on the direction the symbols are facing; the animal or human figures face towards the beginning of the line.
Use alphabetic signs and let your kid spell his name. Print out samples of signs or use a book to find the alphabetic signs that make up his name. Alternatively, use an online hieroglyphic typewriter to spell the name. Explain that Egyptians took most vowels for granted and that not all letters are needed to spell a name.
Look at the hieroglyphic alphabet. Many pictures stand for the object they represent, for example, lion stands for the letter "L." Talk about what the symbols represent. Look at the way the reed symbol is used to stand for either "i" with one reed or "y" using two reeds.
Let the child make her own hieroglyphic alphabet. Use a large tag board and copy the alphabetic signs. Examine each sign and see which letter it stands for in the English alphabet. Look at initial sounds that match, such as "t" for top or "n" as in not. Then study sounds which can be found somewhere in the words, such as "k" as in basket, or "oo" as in zoo.
Use the alphabetic chart and write a message. It is not possible to match exactly our alphabet to hieroglyphics, but you can write a message and be creative. Use an online hieroglyphic translator to check the writing.