Build your own pyramid by cutting out four equilateral triangles of the same size from light cardboard. Glue or tape the sides together so the pyramid will stand on its own. Evenly cover the pyramid with a light coat of glue and sprinkle sand all over the structure.
Make a homemade mummy using toilet paper and a small doll. Wrap the doll in one light layer of toilet paper. Slightly spray the paper with water and gently press the paper around the doll so it is more form-fitting. After the layer is dry, add another layer of toilet paper, spray with water and press the paper in again. Continue these steps until you feel the doll is successfully mummified.
The ancient Egyptians invented their own numbering system using symbols. The number "one" was signified by a single vertical stroke. "Ten" was represented by drawing a hobble, a rope device used to hold an animal's feet together. Draw a coil of rope to show 100. A lotus plant depicts 1,000. Represent 10,000 by drawing a finger. Make a frog to show 100,000.
Show children pictures of the number symbols in simple addition and subtraction problems and solve for the answer. For example, two coils of rope plus a lotus plant would equal 1,200.
Use a variety of literature for children to introduce Ancient Egyptian culture and reinforce what has already been taught. Check out the book "Egyptian Pyramid (Watch it Grow)" by Elizabeth Longley for a depiction of how the pyramids were planned and built. Daily life is also described in this story. Start a discussion with children on how they think daily life and building techniques compare to those in modern day.
Older students may enjoy reading chapter books about specific people or gods that are commonly associated with Ancient Egypt. The discovery of King Tut's tomb and an explanation of his life is described in the book "Who was King Tut?" by Roberta Edwards.
Provide students with a basic outline map of Egypt. Instruct the children to locate and draw in well-known locations on the map. Include the Nile River, Aswan High Dam and the Mediterranean Sea. Cities such as Cairo, Alexandria and Giza could be located as well. Modify this activity according to the grade level of the students. Primary students may only need to be able to identify the Nile River and Cairo as the capital city of Egypt. Upper elementary students could label bodies of water around Egypt as well as neighboring countries.
This activity can serve as a transition into discussing the importance of the Nile River to the people of Egypt. Bring attention to the location of all major cities and their reliance on the river as a source of food, minerals and overall prosperity of ancient Egyptian civilization.