Korea for Kids: A Fun and Colorful Cultural Guide

Korea is a country rich in tradition, history, and fun experiences for children to explore. From delicious food to colorful holidays and amazing stories, Korean culture is full of learning adventures. Let’s dive into some of the most exciting parts of Korean life!

Tasty Foods: Kimchi, Deok, and Tea Drinks

Korean food shares some similarities with Chinese and Japanese cuisine, like eating rice daily. But one special dish you’ll only find in Korea is kimchi. Kimchi is made by pickling vegetables like cabbage or cucumbers with seasonings such as garlic, chili, and ginger. Koreans enjoy it at every meal—yes, even breakfast!

Another treat is Deok, a rice cake eaten during weddings, birthdays, and holidays. These cakes come in many shapes and colors and are often dipped in bean flour. While Korean teens love pizza and Coke, they also enjoy snacks like shrimp crackers and bottled tea drinks instead of sodas.

Colorful Clothing: Hanbok and Everyday Style

In the past, clothing in Korea depended on a person’s social status. Commoners wore white, while royals and the wealthy wore bright colors. The traditional outfit is called the hanbok. For women, it includes a long, flowing skirt and a blouse with wide sleeves. Men wore a tunic-style top and baggy pants called paji. Today, most Koreans wear Western-style clothes, but hanbok is still worn on special occasions.

Celebrations and Holidays

Korean holidays follow the lunar calendar. Two of the most important are Seollal (New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival). During Chuseok, families gather to honor their ancestors and enjoy delicious rice cakes called songpyeon. Children play traditional games like Yut, a board game played with curved sticks, and Gama Fight, a team game with wheeled chairs.

Famous Korean Story: The Tale of Chunnhyang

One of Korea’s most beloved tales is The Tale of Chunnhyang, a love story between a noble boy and a brave girl. The story teaches values like courage, love, and standing up for what is right. It has been told in many books, movies, and TV shows over the years.

Fun and Educational Games

Korean children love playing games that use everyday items. Gonggi is a game with small stones that kids toss and catch on the back of their hands. Another game, like jacks, is played by tossing a ball and grabbing as many stones as possible. Yut is especially popular during holidays and can be played with friends or family.

Speaking and Gestures: Korean Communication

Koreans use a writing system called Hangul, invented in the 15th century. The language also includes honorifics, which are word endings used to show respect to elders.

Gestures matter, too! Never wave someone over with your palm facing up—it’s considered rude. Instead, keep your palm down when calling someone over. Koreans also use their right hand when passing items and avoid hugging in public.

Family and Respect: Core Korean Values

Respect is very important in Korean culture. Children are expected to study hard and listen to their teachers. Older people and ancestors are treated with deep respect. Families believe in supporting one another, and it’s important not to embarrass others.

While some gender roles are traditional, younger generations are starting to speak up and share responsibilities. At work, bosses shouldn’t scold employees in front of others—it’s all about saving face and showing kindness.

Amazing Facts About Korea

• Korea is now two countries: South Korea and North Korea, separated by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
• The number 4 is considered unlucky, so some buildings skip the 4th floor.
• Always remove your shoes when entering a Korean home.
• Korea is home to Snuppy, the world’s first cloned dog!

A Magical Place: Everland Resort

One of the most exciting places in Korea is Everland Resort. It’s a theme park with roller coasters, a zoo, and even a racetrack! The T Express is the world’s longest wooden roller coaster and one of the steepest too. Visitors of all ages love the fun and adventure Everland brings.

Learn Korean with Dinolingo

Want to explore more of Korean language and culture? Dinolingo makes learning fun with stories, games, songs, and videos for kids. Perfect for ages 2 to 14, Dinolingo works on the web, iOS, and Android, and includes offline materials and a parent dashboard. Join the fun and discover the joy of learning Korean today!