• This geographically small European country has an impressively rich culture.map of germany image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
  
  From Bach to BMW cars, Germany has a distinct and compelling culture. It retains centuries-old traditions while influencing and participating in the modern worlds of fashion, sport, automobiles and media. However, you don't have to fly to Germany to learn about its culture--or to teach your children about it. Help your kids learn about Germany's culture with these fun, at-home learning projects.
  
  

Food

• Pfannekuchen are thinner and larger than American pancakes, but heartier than crepes.cr?ape image by valpictures from Fotolia.com
  
  German food is at the heart of its culture. One very German recipe is Pfannekuchen, or pancakes. They are traditional, simple, and versatile. In Germany, they are most often served with applesauce, though other common toppings include jam, browned butter, or meat and gravy. If your children are learning German, practice the German words for the ingredients as you prepare the Pfannekuchen. Assist your children in using the stove-top.
  
  Pfannekuchen Recipe (Rezept)
  
  4 eggs (Eier)
  1 cup flour (Mehl)
  1 cup milk (Milch)
  1 tsp. sugar (Zucker)
  oil or butter for frying (--l zum braten)
  
  Mix all ingredients. Heat oil or butter in an 8-inch frying pan over medium heat. When it begins to bubble, add about 1/4 cup batter, spreading with a spatula to fill the bottom of the pan. When the visible surface has changed color from white to tan, the pancake is cooked. Flip the pancake and brown the other side if you wish.
  
  

Music

• Dance together to recent German techno or trance music.dancing dad image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
  
  Sing traditional German children songs with your children. These teach some German history and some of the German mentality, and are at the heart of German kindergarten or preschool. See Mama Lisa's website for an excellent compilation of German songs with their tunes, sheet music, and English translations.
  
  Have older children learn about some of Germany's composers (including Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Strauss, and Wagner) and then listen to or play their music. You can also introduce them to some more modern German dance music and dance together. Some kid-friendly bands include K2, Technohead and X-Dream.
  
  

Holidays

• Celebrated a bit like Halloween, St. Martin's Day festivities in Germany include lit lanterns in the dark and walking from door to door for candy and gifts.old lamp in hand image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com
  
  Germany celebrates traditional Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter. It also celebrates another holiday not typically recognized elsewhere: St. Martin's Day (Martinstag). Research the origins and meaning of this holiday with your child, then celebrate it together on November 11. To do so, make a paper lantern together and sing "Ich geh mit meiner Laterne":
  
  Ich geh mit meiner Laterne
  Und meine Laterne mit mir.
  Dort oben leuchten die Sterne
  Und unten leuchten wir.
  Mein Licht ist aus,
  Ich geh nach Haus,
  Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum, bum, bum
  
  For even more fun, walk around your neighborhood with lit lanterns that evening. When you return home, put some candy in your children's lanterns.
  
  

Soccer

• Soccer in Germany is fundamental--play this German cultural mainstay with your children.soccer boy image by .shock from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the most important aspects of German culture is soccer, or Fußball (pronounced "foosball"). Play this sport with your child or watch a German soccer game. Pick a German team and follow it throughout the soccer season.