The Awesome Aztecs for Kids and Teachers Illustration

Aztec Empire for Kids
The Awesome Aztecs

For Kids

The Aztec wandered around Mexico for about 200 years before they settled down in the Valley of Mexico. Other tribes were living in the area. Rather than start a war for a place to live, the Aztecs settled down peacefully (at first) in the swampy land around Lake Texcoco.

They were clever people. They adapted to their environment. They built canoes to fish and hunt. They filled the marshes with a combination of reeds and stones and dirt to create more farmland. They built dams and dikes to free even more land. Their engineers successfully built a bustling city, with wide plazas and many shops, on a swamp.

After they had settled in, the Aztec Indians began conquering neighboring tribes. Soon, the entire Valley of Mexico was under their control. Other tribes had to pay tribute to them in the form of food, clothing, goods, and captives to feed the hungry Aztec gods. The Aztec believed in human sacrifice. That was one of the many reasons the other tribes hated and feared the Aztec. But the Aztec seemed unstoppable.

It was not until the 1500s, when the Spanish arrived, that the Aztec were conquered. The Spanish brought guns, dogs, horses, and disease. It was disease that conquered the Aztec. The Aztec Empire collapsed. The Spanish took over the entire region.

Today, in Mexico, there are about one million descendants of the ancient Aztec, living and working. Human sacrifice is no longer part of their festivals (thank goodness!), but beautiful Aztec art and clever Aztec games are still enjoyed today.

Geography, Human-Environment Interaction

Myth: Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus

Story: Journey of a Princess

Correct Behavior

Aztec Gods & Religion

Aztec Afterlife

Government

Food

Floating Gardens

Daily Life

Clothing

Jewelry

Slaves

School

Marriage

Ball Games

The Flying Birds (an event)

Tenochtitlan, capital city

Specialized Professions

Aztec Myths, Legends, and Stories for Kids

Cortez & Spanish Arrival

Achievements & Inventions

Free Online Aztec Games

Take the Quiz, Interactive (with answers)

Investigate Real Life Artifacts

For Teachers

The Aztecs for Teachers - Free Use Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities

Free Presentations about the Aztecs

Free Use Video Clips

Free Use Clipart

With great excitement, we are pleased to announce
We're Published!

Mr. Donn and Maxie's Ancient History PowerPoints Series
Written by Lin & Don Donn,
illustrated by Phillip Martin, Published by Good Year Books

Mr. Donn and Maxie's Always Something You Can Use Series
Written by Lin & Don Donn, Published by Good Year Books