The Amazing History of Croatia for Kids

Croatia has a long and fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years. From cave people to Roman emperors and brave kings, the story of Croatia is full of interesting moments.

Ancient Times and the Roman Empire

Archaeologists have found skeletons of early humans who lived in caves across Croatia. Later, during the Roman Empire, many buildings and towns were built here. If you visit today, you can still see some of the old Roman arenas and ruins.

The Arrival of the Croats

When the Roman Empire started to end, many tribes moved across Europe. According to legend, one of these tribes was the Croats, who came to the area that is now modern-day Croatia.
At first, the Croats believed in many different gods, but over time, they became Catholic and built churches and communities based on this new religion.

The First Croatian King

The first Croatian king was King Tomislav. He was known as a brave leader with strong soldiers and a powerful navy.
King Tomislav is believed to have used a red and white checkered shield, which is now part of the Croatian flag. Today’s flag includes:

• A shield with red and white squares
• A crown above the shield, with parts representing different regions of Croatia
• Three horizontal stripes: red, white, and blue

Times of Union and Struggle

Croatia didn’t stay independent for long. It later became part of the Hungarian kingdom. Then, for many centuries, Croatia was ruled by other countries and did not have its own government.

In the 20th century, Croatia joined other nearby countries to form a country called Yugoslavia, along with:

• Serbia
• Slovenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Montenegro
• Kosovo
• North Macedonia

Sadly, Croatia had to go through a war in the 1990s to become independent again. But since then, Croatia has been free and independent for more than 20 years, and it is now a peaceful country with a strong national identity.

To help your child learn more about Croatian history, culture, and language in a fun way, try Dinolingo. Their interactive lessons make it easy for kids to explore the world of Croatia!