04/07/2025
Amazing Wonders of the World: Fun Facts for Curious Kids!
Each week is unique at Barracudas camps with our special Weekly Themes. We're celebrating our Wonders of the World theme (21st - 25th July) with our fun facts for children.
Get ready to explore the most mind-blowing places on Earth! From ancient pyramids to statues taller than your school, let’s dive into some amazing facts about the Seven Wonders (and a few surprising extras!) that will WOW you and your kids.
🏛 What Are the Wonders of the World?
The "Wonders of the World" are famous landmarks that are so incredible, people from all over the globe travel to see them. There are 2 main lists:
- Ancient Wonders of the World (only one still exists!)
- New 7 Wonders of the World (voted by millions of people!)
Let’s take a tour around the globe...
1. The Great Wall of China
So big it can be seen from space? (not quite!) 🔭
The Great Wall of China stretches over 13,000 miles — that’s like walking from the UK to Australia and back! People once believed it could be seen from the Moon (spoiler alert: it can't), but it's still one of the longest structures ever built by humans.
Did you know? Some parts of the Wall are over 2,000 years old and were built to keep out invaders.
Challenge: Can you build a mini wall using blocks, sticks, or boxes?
2. The Colosseum in Rome
Gladiators, lions, and crowds! 🏛
In Ancient Rome, the Colosseum was the place for big shows — think lions, gladiators, and even mock sea battles! This giant stadium could seat around 50,000 people. That's like 5 Wembley Stadiums filled with cheering Romans!
Did you know? Some gladiators were superstars with fans and merch (ancient Roman-style, of course!).
🎭 Activity idea: Create your own gladiator helmet from cardboard and host a drama battle (minus the lions!).
3. Petra, Jordan
The city carved in stone! 🧱
Imagine a whole city carved into pink rock cliffs! That’s Petra, also known as the Rose City. It was once a hidden treasure, only rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812.
Did you know? Petra was featured in an Indiana Jones movie — it’s that cool.
🪨 Challenge: Try carving “rock art” using soap or clay!
4. Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Giant hugs from the sky! 🙌
This giant statue of Jesus in Rio de Janeiro is 30 metres tall — about the height of an 8-storey building! Arms wide open, it's a symbol of peace and welcome.
Did you know? Lightning hits the statue several times a year, but don’t worry — it’s protected!
🎨 Fun craft: Make a mini version using LEGO, recycled materials, or playdough.
5. Chichén Itzá, Mexico
Temple of maths and stars 🏯
The Maya people built this amazing pyramid. It’s like a calendar in stone! On the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow snake appears to slither down the steps.
Did you know? The pyramid has exactly 365 steps — one for each day of the year!
🧠 STEM game: Make your own sundial or decode a Maya number system.
6. The Taj Mahal, India
A palace built for love 🕌
This stunning white building was built in the 17 century by an emperor in memory of his beloved wife. It’s made of marble and changes colour depending on the time of day!
Did you know? Over 20,000 people helped build the Taj Mahal — including artists, calligraphers, and stonecutters.
🌺 Crafts idea: Decorate your own paper “Taj Mahal” with shimmering materials and floral patterns.
7. Machu Picchu, Peru
The lost city in the clouds 🗿
Perched high in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu was forgotten for centuries and rediscovered in 1911. It's made up of over 150 buildings and was built without wheels or iron tools!
Did you know? Llamas live there now — they're the fluffiest caretakers ever.
🐏 Construction fun: Design your own secret city using natural materials outdoors!
🏺 What Happened to the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?
Before the New 7 Wonders, there were the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World — amazing landmarks built thousands of years ago. Sadly, only one of them is still standing today! Here's the list:
- The Great Pyramid of Giza (Egypt) – The only ancient wonder still standing today. It was built as a tomb for a pharaoh and is made of over 2 million huge stones!
- The Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Iraq) – A magical garden said to float in the air — but no one has ever found proof it existed
- The Statue of Zeus at Olympia (Greece) – A giant gold and ivory statue that was destroyed in a fire
- The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (Turkey) – Rebuilt several times, but finally destroyed by war and fire
- The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (Turkey) – A royal tomb with amazing sculptures, damaged by earthquakes
- The Colossus of Rhodes (Greece) – A huge bronze statue that was knocked down by an earthquake
- The Lighthouse of Alexandria (Egypt) – One of the tallest structures of the ancient world, also destroyed by earthquakes
⚠️ Most of the ancient wonders disappeared due to natural disasters like earthquakes, or were taken apart over time. But their stories still inspire us today!
💡 Why Are Wonders of the World Important?
Learning about these wonders helps us:
- Understand ancient cultures 🌍
- See the power of human creativity 🧠
- Get inspired to protect our world 🛡
Join us at camp this summer and be part of our Weekly Theme fun!