We’re not sure about you, but here at the Nanny Authority and Pavillion Agency, we are massive football (soccer 😉 ) fans! We think the FIFA World Cup is the perfect opportunity to help children engage with current events while discovering the incredible diversity of our world.
Whether you’re cheering for Team USA or another favorite nation, every match offers a chance to explore a new country through its food, history, traditions, music, landmarks, and soccer culture. Here’s a fun guide to get your family started on how to explore some of these countries from your very own home!
For each country, include the same sections:
United States
Cook Together: Mini hamburgers or .
Learn: Research (or visit!) famous landmarks such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone, or Mount Rushmore.
Beyond the Game: Learn why soccer (or football) has become one of the fastest-growing youth sports in America.
Activity: Make your own “Team USA” banner.
Argentina
Cook Together:
Learn: Patagonia, tango dancing, and penguins.
Beyond the Game: Why soccer is such an important part of Argentine culture and who Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are.
Activity: Listen to tango music and learn a few .
Brazil
Cook Together: (Pão de Queijo).
Learn: The Amazon Rainforest, Carnival, rainforest animals.
Beyond the Game: Why Brazil has won more World Cups than any other nation.
Activity: Paint and decorate colorful .
France
Cook Together: Crêpes – we love this one because you can go OR !
Learn: about the Eiffel Tower, castles, Impressionist art, and French cafés.
Beyond the Game: Discover the multicultural makeup of the French national team.
Activity: Following the theme of Impressionist art, set out watercolor paints and let them be inspired to paint their own version of a Monet or Van Gogh.
Bonus Activity: Have a bike day ( In honor of the Tour de France) – check our directions and even more ideas here:
England
Cook Together: or, if you are feeling adventurous, try a full English breakfast!
Learn: Castles, Big Ben, Shakespeare, and royal history.
Beyond the Game: Learn why England is considered the birthplace of modern soccer.
Activity: Create your own soccer club crest or throw a when you host your next playdate!
Senegal
Cook Together:
Learn: Baobab trees, Pink Lake Retba, African wildlife, vibrant markets, and the music and storytelling traditions of West Africa.
Beyond the Game: Learn how Senegal became one of Africa’s most successful soccer nations and why the country’s fans are famous for their joyful celebrations, sportsmanship, and cleaning up the stadium after matches.
Activity: Make your own djembe drum from recycled materials or listen to traditional Senegalese drumming and create a family dance party.
Spain
Cook Together: .
Learn: GaudÃ, flamenco dancing, and Mediterranean beaches.
Beyond the Game: Learn about tiki-taka—the famous passing style that changed soccer.
Activity: Try a beginner flamenco dance tutorial.
Germany
Cook Together: .
Learn: Fairytale castles, forests, engineering, and the Brothers Grimm.
Beyond the Game: Explore Germany’s reputation for teamwork and disciplined play.
Activity: Build your own castle with blocks, , or LEGO.
Portugal
Cook Together: (custard tarts)
Learn: Ocean exploration, Prince Henry the Navigator, and colorful coastal towns.
Beyond the Game: Learn about Eusébio, one of Portugal’s greatest soccer legends, whose incredible talent helped put Portuguese soccer on the world stage.
Activity: Draw your dream sailing ship.
Mexico
Cook Together: Tacos or fresh guacamole.
Learn about: Ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations, monarch butterflies, and cenotes.
Beyond the Game: Learn about the incredible atmosphere at Mexican soccer matches.
Activity: Make colorful .
Japan
Cook Together: 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵmade sushi rolls!
Learn: Cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, bullet trains, and origami.
Beyond the Game: Discover how discipline, respect, and teamwork are emphasized in Japanese sports.
Activity: Fold or cranes.
Norway
Cook Together:
Learn: Vikings, fjords, the Northern Lights, and Arctic wildlife like reindeer, puffins, and polar bears.
Beyond the Game: Learn how Norway has become an exciting team to watch, with strong young players and a growing soccer culture.
Activity: Make a out of paper or draw the Northern Lights with crayons or chalk.
Canada
Cook Together: Maple syrup pancakes, butter tarts, or (for adventurous eaters!).
Learn: The Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, maple forests, Indigenous cultures, and incredible wildlife like moose, beavers, polar bears, and orcas.
Beyond the Game: Discover why hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup is such an exciting milestone for Canada and how soccer has become one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, with more than one million young people playing each year.
Activity: Go on a “Maple Leaf Nature Walk”- collect leaves outside, press them in a book, and create your own nature collage.
A nice way to introduce children to different countries is through or .
Finish With a World Cup Passport
Create a simple “” where children earn a stamp after each country by:
- Watching a match (bonus points for watching on Telemundo GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!)
- Trying a traditional food
- Finding the country on a map
- Listening to local music
- Learning one greeting
- Discovering one soccer fact
By the end of the tournament, they’ll have traveled the world without ever leaving home.
The World Cup is about so much more than the final score. It’s an opportunity to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and help children discover new cultures, traditions, languages, and histories – all while making lasting memories. Whether you’re painting flags with a preschooler, cooking an international recipe together, or diving into the stories behind your favorite teams, these small moments can inspire a lifelong love of learning.
If your family is looking for additional support, the right nanny, governess, or educator can help bring these experiences to life every day. At 91Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, we specialize in connecting families with exceptional childcare professionals who foster curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning both at home and beyond the classroom. We’d be delighted to help you find someone who can become an inspiring partner in your child’s growth. Reach out to us today at (973) 466- 2669 or info@nannyauthority.com