Experience The World With Charlie

Download these free interactive activities for your little explorers.

Create A New or Hometown Adventure

Materials:

Paper, markers, crayons

Instructions:

1. Have children create their own story about Charlie visiting a new city or their beloved hometown.
2. Describe the places he'd visit, what food he'd try, and what he'd learn.
3. They can draw pictures, write a short story, or event present their story to the class.
4. Tag us on social media to share their adventure!
   

Around the World Passport

Materials:

Paper, markers, stickers, stapler

Instructions:

1. Create a "passport" booklet for each child.
2. For each city Charlie Wags visits, add a stamp (sticker or drawing).
3. Have children write or draw something they learned about the city.
   

Charlie Wags' Souvenir Shop

Materials:

Small trinkets, paper, markers, play money, small bags

Instructions:

1. Set up a pretend souvenir shop with items representing the cities Charlie visits.
2. Use small trinkets, pictures, or handmade crafts as souvenirs (see city-specific activity pages on this website for your souvenir craft inspiration). 
3. Give each child play money to "buy" souvenirs from the shop in the currency of each city Charlie explores.
4. Discuss the significance of each item and why tourists might want to buy it.
   

World Landmark Diorama

Materials:

Shoe boxes, small toy figures, clay, paint, craft paper, glue, markers

Instructions:

1. Choose a famous landmark from one of the cities Charlie visits.
2. Use the shoe box as the base to create a diorama of the landmark.
3. Craft the landmark using clay, paper, and other materials.
4. Paint and decorate the diorama to make it look like the chosen landmark.
5. Add toy figures or create small figures to represent Charlie Wags exploring the landmark.
   

Cultural Food Tasting

Materials:

Option 1: Samples of food from different cultures, plates, utensils.

Option 2: Photos of food from different cultures, cities, or countries.

Instructions:

Option 1: Introduce children to a variety of foods from cities in the series. Foods can be provided by teachers or assign each student a different dish to make with their families and bring to school. Discuss the origin and cultural significance of each dish. Describe the taste, smells, and flavors they're experiencing.

Option 2: Introduce children to photos or videos of different foods from cities in the series. Discuss the origin and cultural significance of each dish. Highlight the flavor profile of each meal and explain the origin or importance of those flavors to that unique city. 

Charlie’s Travel Map

Materials:

Large world map, pins, string, markers, pictures of Charlie Wags

Instructions:

1. Hang a large world map on the wall.
2. Place a picture of Charlie Wags on the map at the starting point (home).
3. As children read each book, move Charlie's picture to the new city.
4. Use string and pins to connect the cities Charlie visits to create a visual representation of his travels.
   

World Continent Exploration

Materials:

Large images of the world's continents, scissors, glue, cardboard

Instructions:

1. Print and cut out shapes of each continent into pieces.
2. Children can assemble the pieces and learn about each continent.
   

City Soundscapes

Materials:

Various sound-making objects (bells, whistles, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Play recordings of sounds from the cities Charlie visits.
2. Have children close their eyes and listen carefully.
3. Discuss what they hear and guess which city the sounds might be from.
4. Talk about the unique sounds and experiences of each city.
5. Have children recreate these sounds and discuss how they make them feel.
6. Discuss what type of city they'd like to visit. Busy? Relaxed? New? Old?
   

Dress Up Around the World

Materials:

Costumes or props representing different cultures

Instructions:

1. Have a dress-up day where children can wear costumes from the cultures throughout the world.
2. Discuss the significance of traditional clothing.
   

City Skyscrapers Building Challenge

Materials:

Building blocks, cardboard, or other construction materials

Instructions:

1. Have children build skyscrapers inspired by the cities in the series.
2. Discuss the unique architectural styles of different places.
   

Traditional Dance Exploration

Materials:

Music from different cultures, open space

Instructions:

1. Play traditional music from the cities Charlie visits and have a dance session.
2. Teach simple dance moves or let children move freely.
3. Discuss the different styles of music, the origin of each style, and the cultural significance to each city/country.
   

Charlie Wags’ Travel Journal

Materials:

Notebook, crayons, stickers

Instructions:

1. Each child creates a travel journal to document what they learn from each book.
2. They can draw pictures and write about their favorite parts.
   

Global Flag Matching Game

Materials:

Images of flags, cards

Instructions:

1. Create a matching game with pairs of cards featuring flags from the cities Charlie visits.
2. Children can learn to recognize different flags.
   

Flag Making

Materials:

Colored paper, markers, glue, craft sticks

Instructions:

1. Research the flags of the cities or countries Charlie visits.
2. Give each child materials to create their own flag.
3. Use colored paper and markers to replicate the flag design.
4. Attach the flag to a craft stick to create a small flag.
5. Display the flags in the classroom or home.
   

Local Language Learning

Materials:

Flashcards with basic words or phrases in languages specific to the cities explored throughout the city.

Instructions:

1. Teach children simple words, greetings, or phrases in the local languages of the cities Charlie visits.
2. Practice saying them together.
   

Cultural Art Gallery

Materials:

Art supplies, paper, markers

Instructions:

1. Children create artwork inspired by the art and culture of the cities in the series.
2. Display their art in a "gallery" and have a viewing day.
3. Discuss their art with other students and explain what they learned about the city's art in the process.

City Collage

Materials:

Magazines, scissors, glue, large paper

Instructions:

1. Provide magazines with pictures of different cities.
2. Have children cut out pictures that represent the cities Charlie visits.
3. Glue the pictures onto a large piece of paper to create a collage.
4. Discuss the different elements of each city represented in the collage.