Simple Ways to Engage with the Summer Olympics at Home

Have you been watching the Olympics? Our house has! Though I’m not a big fan of watching sports on TV, I find the history of the Olympics fascinating. The Olympics go way back, farther back than Santa Claus if you can believe it!
Let’s start with a short history lesson.
The history of the Olympics dates back to ancient Greece, where the first recorded Olympic Games were held in 776 BC in Olympia. These games were part of a religious festival honoring Zeus and included events like running, wrestling, and chariot racing. That’s right — chariot racing! The ancient Olympics continued until 393 AD when they were banned by the Roman Emperor Theodosius I.
The modern Olympics were revived in the late 19th century by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, featuring 13 countries and 43 events. Since then, the Olympics have grown into a global event, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating every two years, showcasing a wide variety of sports and bringing together athletes from around the world to compete in the spirit of international unity and excellence.
Pretty interesting!
The Olympics are fun to watch together, and you can do fun activities to keep children engaged as well. Here are four ideas to try before the Olympics end on August 11:
1. Lego Olympics
Construct Lego creations to represent your favorite summer Olympic sports. My daughter has used tiny Lego pieces and characters to create some pretty elaborate scenes.
2. Build Paris
Given that the summer Olympics are in Paris, your children might also create their own version of the Eiffel Tower or other famous landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe using building materials from the house or yard. Think paper, sticks, play dough, whatever you have around. Let their imaginations run wild!
3. Themed reading
Go to the library or local bookstore and find children’s books about Olympic athletes. These stories are inspirational whether your child is a budding athlete or not because of the lessons learned about overcoming obstacles.
4. Mini-Olympics
Whether with siblings or friends, set up a mini-Olympics in your own yard with races, mini-hurdles, and more for a fun, physical challenge.
If you cannot watch the Olympics live and/or are struggling with the timezone difference, I suggest considering the Peacock app available on your TV, laptop, iPad, or mobile device. The cost to subscribe starts at $7.99. Once in Peacock, scroll over to the Olympics hub and find exactly what you are looking for. It is incredibly easy and saves time if you are willing and able to pay for a month.
The Olympics end on August 11, so there is still much fun to be had!