How to satisfy child's curiosity for the word on a budget

[Bummler]

My son is 6 and has always showed an interest in other countries and cultures but he is starting to get more interested and aware of travel opportunities and is wanting to go and visit just about every place he hears of.

He has only been abroad twice and we can only afford an abroad holiday once every three years or so. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can satisfy his interest in other countries without actually visiting them?

We are trying to get books from the library but are struggling to find things suitable for his age.

He is interested in all kinds of things about other countries. Will ask me if I know any words in their languages, what do they eat on Christmas day, what kind of landscape and animals they have. He often asks me to look at the world map with him and he will point to random countries and ask me to tell him all I know about them.

Google?

Live Web cams from various places in other countries ?

these can be quite interesting at times!

Touring different countries via Google Streetview?

www.argos.co.uk/product/9375262

Penpal?

We don’t even have passports, but do my best through food. Either supermarkets or traditional restaurants. There used to be a fantastic cbbc program called all over the place

Youtube, people doing walking tours, people from different places showing how they live. Honestly, Youtube is an incredible resource. Ds2 was a sponge and curious about everything and anything. How It's Made is great for that age too.

My five year old enjoyed watching the last series of Race Across the World. It’s a glimpse of other cultures/landscapes.

Food
Art
Museums
Trips to religious buildings
Zoos
Gardens

If you can get to London there are many cultural institutes.
https://www.culturewhisper.com/amp/best_of/cultural_institutes_london/13374
Of course, museums, libraries, film festivals.

Teach him a foreign language?
A pen pal?
Books from around the world?
Different kitchens?

I know someone whose “hobby” is picking a random flight on Flight Radar and imagining she’s on it, she then researches the country / city, finds somewhere to stay, learns a bit about the culture, googles things to do, looks up the best restaurants, and has a wander round on streetview.

You could do this with him and create a fact file for each place. Being curious about the world is a great thing and I’d definitely encourage it!!

Just came to recommend the same globe as @MissRachelismycoparent has suggested 👍🏻😊

What about picking a different country every week/fortnight/month (whatever works for you!) and finding a recipe from that country and cooking it together?

Loads of good travel TV shows - Michael Palin etc? Would he be interested in that kind of thing or is it a bit old for him?

There are loads of travel vloggers on YouTube that may be worth looking into. “Kara & Nate” are good and have travelled all over the world!

Everything already suggested. Then when he does get to go abroad he will get so much more out of the experience.

You could watch YT / walking tours/ Race across the World and (with a bit of planning) eat the local cuisine while watching. Could be fun!

It’s also quite fun visiting Chinese supermarkets, or even the foreign food aisle of a supermarket.
Picking something small/cheap to buy and cook with, searching where it comes from and how it’s made/grown, that sort of thing.

My DS at a young age loved human planet on bbc (old Attenborough series). Also "becoming you" on Apple TV, following kids around the world for first 5 years, both sparked lots of conversations about differences in experiences around the world. You have to watch it with them though as a lot is subtitled so you need to read it out to them as unlikely a six year old would be able to read at that speed

'Welcome to our world' is a lovely book about traditions and words for things around the world . There's also the book 'maps' which we don't have but have seen a fair few times by in nice shops. There will be loads second hand.

Some people enjoy the interactive globes you can get but we just have a regular one that my son also likes.

Then museum trips are great too for learning about the world and history .

Some good suggestions here, although I am quite strict with screen time so I am note sure if I want to go down the YouTube route. He has seen a few documentaries which he enjoyed but at the moment he is more bothered about using his screen time to watch Shaun the Sheep and won't consider anything else.

I have tried a few recipes from other cultures but they haven't turned out great. I've ended up spending more than usual on a meal that no one has really enjoyed. Even if it's recipes that we pick together and we both like the sound of it the finished product has so far been a let down. I will be looking for more recipes though and hoping for success the next time round.

My youngest has always absolutely loved learning about different cultures. We've had some great books over the years. I'll go and google and come back!

Worldle 🌍 it’s free and a daily challenge. He’ll love searching a globe he has one.

Seen this n Amazon it looks good it’s interactive https://amzn.eu/d/5NQ1uoR

https://www.banjorobinson.com/

We use this - you get a pack every month with recipes, stickers, info etc. Maybe a nice Christmas present? It's quite modestly priced.

Have a look at the Facebook group "extreme day trips" for ideas of little trips abroad that don't need to cost more than a big day out in the uk.
there are live virtual walking tours available too - "world virtual tours" is the name of the one my son has used sometimes. Quite informative and fun.

amzn.eu/d/06NJAiX

That’s really cute

Library books. Especially in the adult dept - lots of photography books, and travel books. Maybe even National Geographic magazine in library too. Google Earth for 3d maps.