Ideas for Learning About the 2024 Olympics + FREE Activity Pack!

Learning about the 2024 Olympics

The Olympics is the biggest sporting event of the year, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get children excited about sports AND learning!

The Olympic Games offer a fantastic family learning experience; discovering different sports, learning about competition and sportsmanship and exploring new countries. Dive into the history of the Olympics, explore the stories of inspiring athletes, and discover the rich cultures of participating countries. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and learn from together!

The 2024 summer Olympics will take place between 26th July and 11th August in Paris, France, and be followed by the Paralympic Games between 28th August and 8th September.

What are the Olympics? An Introduction for children.

• The History of the Olympics – From Ancient Greece to Today
• Modern Olympic Games – How Have They Changed Over Time?
• The Spirit of the Olympics – Sportsmanship and Unity
• Let’s Celebrate! – Ideas to Commemorate the 2024 Olympics
• Olympic Learning Resources
• Claim Your FREE Olympic Activity Pack!

You might also be interested in: 20 Fun Family Activity Ideas to celebrate the Olympics!

Discover the History of the Olympics

The Olympic Games date back to ancient Greece in 776 BC. To help children understand the significance of the Games, you could start by exploring their origins.

Research together and discuss how the ancient Greeks celebrated the Games. What sports were included? Where were they held? What legends are associated with the early Olympics?

Did you know?

• Origins in Olympia: The ancient Olympics were held in Olympia, a special site dedicated to the Greek gods. Imagine a huge festival where athletes competed not just for glory, but to honour Zeus, the king of the gods!
• Athletic Events: The early Olympics featured events like running races, long jump, shot put, javelin, and boxing. There was even a race where athletes competed while wearing full armour! Could you try out some of these ancient events at home?
• Legends and Myths: According to Greek mythology, Hercules, the son of Zeus, was said to have started the Olympic Games. Another story claims that Pelops, a legendary hero, began the Games after winning a chariot race. Can you find any other theories?
• No Medals: Back then, winners didn’t get shiny medals like today. Instead, they were awarded olive wreaths or crowns called “kotinos.” It was a symbol of honor and victory. Make your own olive wreath crafts to get a feel for how it felt to be a champion in ancient Greece!
• Sacred Truce: During the ancient Olympics, a special truce was declared so athletes could travel safely to the Games. This meant warring states would pause their conflicts and come together to compete peacefully. How amazing is that? Talk with your children about how a similar “truce” could bring people together in today’s world. Perhaps come up with ways your family can practice peace and cooperation at home!

Fun Fact: The Olympic Flame

Did you know the Olympic Flame wasn’t introduced until 1928 at the Amsterdam Olympics? The flame symbolizes the connection between the ancient and modern Games. The flame is lit in Olympia and then carried to the host city through a relay. Maybe create your own Olympic torch at home and have a family torch relay!

Learn About the Modern Olympic Games

The ‘modern Olympics’ that we see today began in 1896 and have since become a global event bringing together athletes from over 200 countries! The Games promote peace, friendship, and understanding through sport.

Why not explore how the Games have transformed over the centuries together? Here are some key moments in Olympic history to get you started:

Key Moments in Olympic History

• Changes in Athletic Events: The lineup of Olympic sports has evolved quite a bit over the years. Early on, events were quite different, focusing mainly on running, boxing, and wrestling. Today, the Olympics feature a wide range of sports from basketball and swimming to skateboarding and surfing. Imagine if you could design your own Olympic Games—what sports would you include? Brainstorm a list of exciting new events that could be added to the Games!
• Inclusion of Women in the Games: Did you know that the Olympics were once an exclusive male-only event? It wasn’t until 1900, at the Paris Olympics, that women were first allowed to compete. This was a significant milestone for gender equality in sports. Talk with your children about how this change impacted the Games and ask them what other changes they think would make the Olympics even more inclusive today.
• Introduction of the Paralympics: The Paralympics, which began in Rome in 1960, were created to provide athletes with disabilities a platform to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. This was a huge step in recognizing the abilities of all athletes and promoting adaptive sports. This is a great way to talk about overcoming challenges and celebrating everyone’s unique abilities. Maybe you can try a fun adaptive sports activity at home to experience just a bit of what these athletes achieve!
• Expansion of Participating Countries: The Olympics have grown from just 13 countries participating in the first modern Games in 1896 to over 200 countries today! This incredible growth highlights how the Games have become a global celebration of sports and culture. Explore the countries that are competing this year, and perhaps choose a few to research together. What unique traditions or sports might you discover?
• Memorable Achievements by Athletes: The Olympics are full of inspiring stories. For example, Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, overcoming racial prejudice to become a symbol of courage and excellence. Simone Biles’ performances in gymnastics have redefined what’s possible in the sport. What makes these stories so inspiring to you? Encourage your children to research Olympians and draw or write about their favourite Olympic moments or athletes.

Fun Fact: The Olympics Have a Motto

The Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” translates to “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” This motto challenges athletes to push their limits and strive for excellence. What values inspire your family to be their best? Why not come up with your own family motto that reflects what’s important to you and motivates everyone to reach their goals?

The Spirit of the Olympics: Sportsmanship and Unity

The Olympics are more than a series of competitions; they are a grand celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and the human spirit! The Games bring together people from all over the world, fostering a sense of global community and shared values that transcend borders.

Fun Fact: The Olympic Rings
The iconic Olympic rings symbolise the unity of the five inhabited continents—Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The colors of the rings—blue, yellow, black, green, and red—appear on every national flag across the world, representing the coming together of athletes from all nations.

How Can We Embrace These Olympic Values at Home?

Encourage your family to embody the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence in everyday life. Here are some activities to help bring the spirit of the Olympics into your home:

• Acts of Kindness: Challenge your kids to think about how they can practice kindness and respect daily. Perhaps they could commit to performing one small act of kindness each week.
• Teamwork: Many Olympic events require incredible teamwork. Explore what makes a great team by engaging in some fun family team-building exercises. For example, you could work together on a puzzle, complete a relay race, or tackle a group challenge. How does working together help you achieve your goals?
• The Olympic Oath: The Olympic Oath, introduced in 1920, is a pledge to compete fairly and with sportsmanship. Why not gather your family and create your own family oath. What promises will you make to support and uplift each other?
• Create a Family Flag: Get creative and design a family flag that reflects your family’s values and aspirations. Use colours and symbols that represent each family member’s favourite things or shared experiences. Display your flag proudly and talk about the meaning behind each element.

Celebrate the 2024 Olympics with Fun Activities

Now that you’ve learned about the history and spirit of the Olympics, it’s time to celebrate! Here are some fun family activities to get you in the Olympic spirit:

(For LOTS more ideas visit our blog: 20 Fun Family Activity Ideas to celebrate the Olympics!)

• Olympic Crafts: Get creative with some Olympic-themed crafts. Make colourful Olympic rings out of paper, or create your own medals and torches. It’s a fun way to get hands-on with the Games and make some memorable keepsakes
• Host an Olympic Viewing Party: Watch the opening ceremony or your favourite events with family and friends. Decorate with flags, Olympic rings, and maybe even some DIY torches. Don’t forget the snacks!
• Try New Sports: Inspired by the athletes you see on TV? Encourage your kids to try out sports they’re curious about, like gymnastics, swimming, or track and field.
• Global Cuisine: Take a culinary trip around the world by preparing dishes from different countries participating in the Olympics. It’s a tasty and educational way to explore new cultures and flavours.
• Parade of Nations: Host a mini parade where you each represents a different country. Create flags, dress up in colours representing the chosen nations and look up and share interesting facts about the country you’re representing. As the Games unfold, track the progress of each represented country, who will win the most medals?
• Olympic Sports Day: Organise a mini-Olympics at home! Set up different sports and activities for the whole family to compete in. From relay races to tug-of-war, it’s all about fun and friendly competition.

For LOTS more ideas visit our blog: 20 Fun Family Activity Ideas to celebrate the Olympics!

Olympic Learning Resources

Busy Things includes lots of Olympic learning resources to help children get excited about the Games. Along with the Olympics Activity Pack children can play our interactive activities Our favourite sports, Countries of the world and Map of world flags (Olympic edition).

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Not a Busy Things subscriber? Busy Things is trusted by thousands of schools and families to make learning fun! Take a free trial to access all of our Olympic activities plus hundreds more games and activities across the curriculum! Simply click here to Take your Busy Things free trial or take advantage of our edu-tainment summer sale!

Teacher? Check out our Olympic Topical Pack for schools.

Claim Your FREE Olympic Activity Pack!

Now it’s time to claim your FREE Olympic Activity Pack full of fun Olympic-themed activities and puzzles to help you learn about the 2024 Olympics!. Simply click on the button below, download and print out your PDF…

Finally, we hope our ideas for learning about the 2024 Olympics have gotten you into the Olympic spirit and will make the 2024 Summer Olympics a memorable and educational experience for the whole family!

We’d love to hear your feedback and see if you try any of the activities we’ve suggested. Please leave a comment below!

You might also be interested in: 20 Fun Family Activity Ideas to celebrate the Olympics!