Learn about Belize for Kids

Belize is a Central American country bordered by Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea. It has a rich history as being part of the Mayan civilization and is now the only mainland Central American country that is part of the British commonwealth as a commonwealth realm.

Belize Basics

English settlers first explored the area in 1638 but it was claimed by both Britain and Spain until 1798. It became a British colony in 1840 and claimed independence in 1981 (commonwealth realms are independent nations that still recognize the British monarch as their ceremonial head of state).

Belize is 8,867 square miles, or 22,970 square kilometers, and is home to almost 400,000 people, making it the least populated nation in Central America.

The capital is Belmopan, but Belize City is the largest city.

It is also the only country in Central American where English is the official language, though Belizean Creole, Spanish and Mayan languages are very popular, and more than half of the population is multilingual.

Belize National Symbols

The Belize flag is mostly blue with red bars along the top and bottom. The coat of arms is in the center of the flag, which shows two men holding tools and symbols of the lumber industry, including a mahogany tree. The text says “sub umbra floreo,” meaning “under the shade I flourish.”

The national anthem is called “Land of the Free.” The words were written in 1929 and the music in 1930.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPvxmQX90tY?si=auc5GpzSROJfUEQJ]

The national bird is the keel billed toucan, known locally as the bill bird because of its bright bill. The Baird’s tapir is the national animal, and the black orchid is the national flower of Belize.

The mahogany tree is also considered a national symbol.

Belize Activities for Kids

Learn about the September celebrations, two festivals that happen in Belize just 11 days apart. The Battle of St. George’s Cay Day is celebrated on September 10 and marks the battle when the British gained control of Belize from the Spanish. It’s also known as National Day. Independence Day is September 21. The celebrations often start in August and run through the month of September.

Explore Punta music, an Afro-indigenous music that has spread through the Caribbean and Central America with the Garifuna people. Also known as banguity or bunda, it is known for heavy use of drums and other percussion instruments, maracas and conch.

Speaking of conch, conch fritters are one of the most popular foods from Belize, much like in The Bahamas. Beans and rice are also popular, and you can learn how to make them just like they do in Belize with this recipe from Taste Belize.

Learn more about the Mayan culture from Britannica Kids and Free School, and talk about why you think their civilization might have ended. Check out more resources for learning about Belize at Teachers Pay Teachers and Leader Connecting Leaders.

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The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is important throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Her feast day is Dec. 12, and the celebrations honoring her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 begin a few days before that.

Whether you celebrate yourself or just want to share about the celebration at home or in your classroom, Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a good place to start. The book, by Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne, with illustrations by Dana Sanmar, tells the story of a family’s celebration of the feast day in both English and Spanish.

They prepare with a novena, which is nine days of prayers and preparations. The children, Lucia and Pablo, are given special outfits made by their grandmother that look like what Juan Diego might have worn when he saw Our Lady. The book describes the prayers that are made each day, such as a prayer for respect for life, for families and for the indigenous people of the Americas, to name a few.

As told in the book, Juan Diego was a native Mexican born near modern day Mexico City. His given name was Cuaauhtlatoatzin, which means “He who speaks like an eagle.” When he converted to Christianity his name was changed to Juan Diego, and as he walked to church he passed a hill called Tepeyac. One day he heard the birds singing especially beautifully and a voice called him to go to the top of the hill.

There he saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, who asked him to tell the bishop she wanted a chapel built in her name at the foot of the hill. The bishop asked for a sign that Juan Diego really saw her, and later she had him collect flowers that she blessed and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego dropped the flowers, an image of Our Lady could be seen on his cloak, which is still on display in her basilica to this day.

The feast day is celebrated as mañanitas, which includes singing, indigenous music and dancing, and children presenting flowers to Our Lady. Juan Diego is remembered today as being humble, brave and faithful, and was the first indigenous American made a saint.

The book is colorful and tells the story in a clear way, and it’s fun to have it both in English and Spanish if you teach Spanish or speak Spanish at home or in the classroom. It’s a great way to learn the basics of the celebration and the story of Juan Diego and why he is still remembered today.

About the book: 40 pages, paperback, published 2024 by Loyola Press. Suggested retail price $14.99.

Belize Basics

Belize National Symbols

Belize Activities for Kids

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