ArkaeoSources for children ages 4 to 6

We have chosen to assemble the references we consider the most relevant. Thus, we have not taken the publishing date into account. If some references may seem old, we believe the high quality of the resource is the reason that it still remains pertinent.

The following pieces of media will allow your child or your student to enjoy a wide panorama on what archaeology is about, as a scientific discipline studying objects made by humans.
In each category, references span from presenting the archaeological discipline itself to the ages covered by archaeological research.

Selective references catalogue for children ages 4 to 6

Just a reminder : archaeologists are not paleontologists.
A video such as PinCode in Archaeologist’s Day making an archaeological discovery does not represent the work of archaeologists, but of paleontologists studying dinosaurs. Therefore, this video should be called PinCode makes a paleontological discovery. This misconception on archaeology is unfortunately very common.

A frequent mistake is to link archeological research and excavating. If that were the case, paleontologists, geologists, and other disciplines should be associated with archaeology, which is not the case because archaeology allows us to understand humans through their technical productions. This is why references focused on chocolate-making or the construction of a building are ideal for helping young children understand how an archaeologist thinks.

An archaeologist often practices reverse engineering on human productions. In order to understand how humans have made a certain object from what they discover, archaeologists must find the raw materials, tools, and the actions taken during the fabrication process. This accounts for the importance of knowing how chocolate or buildings are made. A good example of this work is given by the research of amateur archaeologist Jean-Pierre Houdin, who found how Egyptian pyramids were built.

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Albums

Dan Taylor and The Smithsonian Institute. Little Archaeologist: A Science Tots Book. Running Press Kids, 2021.
Jessie Hartland. How the Sphinx Got to the Museum. Maplewood: Blue Apple Books, 2010.
Kate Duke. Archaeologists Dig for Clues. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins, 2010.
Dominic Perring. Then and Now: The Wonders of the Ancient World Brought to Life in Vivid See-through Reconstructions. Macmillan General Reference, 1991.
J.-O. Gransard-Desmond. Mon cahier d’archéologie 5-8 ans, Fedora, 2017. — Activity book in french for children between 5 to 8 years old who do are not readers

Activity workbooks

Jean-Olivier Gransard-Desmond (dir.), Mon cahier d’archéologie 5-8 ans, Collection Le Monde d’Augustin 1, Éd. Fedora, 2018 — Resources in english, discover the steps of archaeological research with free online drawings, videos, observation games for 8-year-olds and up, as well as additional information for parents.

Cartoons

Once Upon a Time… Man — Animated educational television series on the History of Human beings produced in 1978
Once Upon a Time… Discoverers — Animated educational television series on the History about various thinkers and inventors produced in 1994
Once Upon a Time… The Americas — Animated educational television series on the History of American continent produced in 1991
Milo Official Channel. Milo The Archaeologist. 2021 — Cartoon about archaeology
Go Jetters Official. Timgad Ruins, Algeria. Go Jetters Series 2. 2019. — Cartoon about archaeology
Tatty and Misifu, Mummy Hunt Inside the Pyramid. 2021. — Cartoon about archaeology

Documentaries

Solving Mysteries with Archaeologists!. SciShow Kids. — video
What is Archaeology. New Mexico Historic Sites. — video
Artefacts – History for Kids. Imaginative Teacher. — video
Dan Taylor. Little Archaeologist. Running Press Kids. 2021. – Documentary for children ages 3 to 4.
Kate Duke. Archaeologists Dig for Clues. Let’s Read and Find Out Science – Stage 2. 32 p. 1997. — Nonfiction Picture Book
Sue Fliess. Archaeologists on a Dig. Albert Whitman & Company. 32 p. 2022. — Nonfiction Picture Book for children ages 3 to 6.
Amy E. Reid and J. Rene Perez, Maybe You’ll Be an Archaeologist. Center for Archaeological Studies. Texas State University. 2021. – Album for children ages 5 to 7.

References and digital resources

ArkeoTopia, Archaeological Resources from the Augustin’s World: photos and examples of colored drawings – Discover the steps of archaeological research with drawings, videos, observation games for 5-year-olds and up, as well as additional information for parents.
Louvre museum, Louvre Kids: photos and examples of colored drawings – Videos and more for 5-year-olds and up.
ArchaeOLogy — From the American Museum of Natural History with videos and hands-on resources
Young Archaeologists’Club — Where you can find resources and things to do
Europe’s Digital Cultural Heritage — For media about archaeology across Europe
Category:Archaeology on Wikimedia Commons — For media about archaeology across the world

Field Trips

Many museums provide leaflets adapted to family visits. This is, for instance, the case of the Smithsonian, the British Museum, the Cairo Museum, the Archaeological National Museum, as well as archaeological services from cities such as that of South Dakota or from the Council for British Archaeology and Australian continent. You can find them by contacting the museum or archaeological service that is the closest to your home. The following links offer you guided tours of excavation sites and provide you with ideas to liven up your museum outings:

The European Archaeology Days are an opportunity for you to celebrate archaeology every year in June in Europe.
The European Heritage Days provides ideas and tips for families who want to visit museums and cultural sites in Europe.
The International Archaeology Day is an opportunity for you to celebrate archaeology every year in October in the US but also abroad.
The Heritage Open Days helps you find cultural outings suited to your child’s age in UK.

To go further…Parents and Teachers

For teachers, please have a look at the page dedicated to learning materials.
For parents, the following references are made for you to better understand what archaeological research is.
Thus, you will be able to easily answer your child’s questions.

FAQ from Archaeological Institute of American except that archaeology is not about excavating, but about understanding human beings through the traces they have left or are currently producing.
Collective, “Archaeology” entry on Wikipedia, [consulted on 23/12/2025 at 15:30].
Archeology, a magazine dedicated to the popularization and news about archaeology in the World.