Today, I’m sharing a different kind of app with you. Generally, we prefer to review only apps with a Spanish language option. However, we’re making an exception for Voyager Kids because it is such a fantastic resource for globally-minded kids, like the ones we are hopefully all in the midst of raising.

With four categories (Travel, Learn, Explore, and Play) and tons of fact-filled pages inside each one, Voyager Kids is a wealth of information about animals, plants, landmarks, culture, and travel.

Kids can read about and see breathtaking pictures of countries and regions and then test their knowledge with games. One of the most unique games is called Aviator, in which you choose the correct word for each letter in the “aviator’s alphabet.” This one is a challenge even for some adults!

I particularly love the Travel section for SpanglishBaby families. Even if you don’t have an international trip planned anytime soon, your kids can virtually explore the Wonders of the World and come up with a list of new places they’d like to go. This is a great way to start a conversation about other languages and cultures, using your child’s immersion in the Spanish language and Latino culture as a basis for understanding others.

Find Voyager Kids in iTunes and Barnes & Noble Nook Store

Available for iPad, iPhone, and Nook

Recommended for ages 6 and up

Price: $3.99

Check out more about Voyager Kids on Edissey, Inc.’s website and on Facebook.

Our culture is a big part of why we teach our kids Spanish. But even if Spanish is not the language of our ancestors we know that learning another language gives us and our children a deeper understanding of other people and cultures. For this week’s #BilingualKids Round-up we have focused on fun crafts for kids that celebrate culture and the diversity in our world.

Proud to be Me Self-Identity Craft

This beautiful craft by Ruby of Growing Up Blackxican is all about instilling a positive self-image in kids. It teaches kids to love their heritage whether it be from one ethnicity or many. Click here to read Ruby’s story and craft instructions.

Guatemalan Crafts and Activities for Kids

Paula of Growing Up Bilingual shared a round-up of crafts and activities for kids to celebrate Guatemala’s history and culture. Click here to view activities and crafts.

Discovering Culture Through Collage: Romare Bearden

This craft by Moms Gone Global was inspired by Romare Bearden’s art. Bearden was an African-American artist whose style was shaped by his experiences growing up as well as art from other cultures. Click here to find out more about Bearden and for craft instructions.

La Oruga Muy Hambrienta

Danielly of Un Dulce Hogar shared this simple and cute craft to do after reading the children’s book “La Oruga Muy Hambrienta”. This very popular book can be found in English and Spanish. We love that this craft is a fun way to reinforce the art of storytelling and it’s also a great catalyst for conversations in Spanish. Click here to view the craft instructions.

Food Traditions Around the World 

It’s no secret that food is a big part of every culture. The Piri-Piri Lexicon blog shared a list of simple recipes from around the world that our niños can help us prepare.  This is a great activity to introduce our kids to different foods and start a conversation about other cultures and countries, one dish at a time.

The world has definitely become smaller the more connected we are. It’s much easier for anyone these days to be globally minded and connect with someone in the other side of the world and to learn about different cultures without leaving your home. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that individual societies are also more open and diverse racially, culturally and ethnically. Some days when you turn on the news it actually feels like whole groups are becoming much more closed minded out of fear of losing their cultural identity over others.

But our children are the future. Our children can individually be a friend to the whole human race. They are born into the era where technology has reduced both space and time, allowing us to very easily reach out of our own bubble and know that there’s more.

It’s our task to ensure that we provide an opportunity and an environment for our kids to become globally minded citizens of the world. Compassion, empathy, an open heart and an acute emotional intelligence accompany children with global minds that are at ease in different cultures, languages and races.

Click here to read the full post on Babble