Culture Kids

Hellooo Culture Kids! Grab your imaginary passports because today we’re heading into a cozy home to celebrate Nowruz, a springtime New Year that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. In this episode, we visit our friends Hannah and her mom, Ms. Sadaf, to experience how their family prepares for this special holiday. Through storytelling, sound, and imagination, we step inside their home, smell delicious foods, see beautiful traditions, and learn what this celebration means to families around the world. What You’ll Discover What Nowruz is and why it marks the first day of spring How families celebrate across Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond The meaning behind Khaneh-Tekani (spring cleaning) The beautiful Haft-Seen table and what each item represents How to say “Happy New Year” in Farsi: Sal-e No Mobarak Nowruz is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that new beginnings, hope, and connection are shared across cultures in different and beautiful ways. Through this adventure, children are invited to see the world as a place full of traditions, stories, and families who may do things differently, but share many of the same hopes for joy, renewal, and togetherness. A heartfelt thank you to Hannah and Ms. Sadaf for welcoming us into their home and sharing their traditions with our Culture Kids families. To our Culture Kids families celebrating, Sal-e No Mobarak! We wish you light, peace, and a beautiful new beginning. PLEASE KEEP OUR CULTURE TRAIN RUNNING!!! If you loved this episode, please take a moment to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also support our work with a donation on our website. Every bit helps us continue creating meaningful stories for children everywhere. http://culturekidsproductions.org Follow us on IG: @culturekidsproductions Leave a comment on Spotify and we will get right back to you!

Hello Culture Kids explorers! Grab your imaginary passports and climb aboard the Culture Train because today we’re heading high into the sky for a magical hot air balloon adventure. In this episode, Mom, Asher, and Arden learn how hot air balloons work and discover the science that helps them float. Along the way, we travel back in time to France in 1783 when the first hot air balloon flight with people on board took place. Before humans went up, inventors tested their balloon with a sheep, a duck, and a rooster to make sure living creatures could breathe safely in the sky. Once we understand the science of warm air, buoyancy, and balloon envelopes, our journey begins. With the help of a friendly balloon pilot, we gently lift off and drift above some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Our first stop takes us over Cappadocia, Turkey, one of the most famous hot air balloon destinations in the world. From the sky we see ancient volcanic rock formations shaped like towering cones and sandcastles. Long ago, people carved homes, churches, and even entire underground cities into these soft rock hills, creating a remarkable landscape filled with history and imagination. Next, the wind carries us across the sky to the Loire Valley in France, where we float above a peaceful river, patchwork fields, and hundreds of beautiful châteaux. These grand stone homes were once places where French kings and queens came to relax in the countryside. Today, the Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its history, architecture, and stunning scenery. As we drift gently back toward the ground, we are reminded that seeing the world from a new angle can help us notice beauty, creativity, and wonder in places we may never have imagined. PLEASE SUPPORT CULTURE KIDS! Culture Kids is a grassroots nonprofit creating free, accessible cultural and educational audio for children everywhere. You can support our mission by: ⭐ Leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📲 Sharing the show with a friend 🌍 Donating through our website 🔗 Website: https://culturekidsproductions.org and click on SUPPORT TAB 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/culturekidsproductions

All aboard the Culture Train! In this episode, we head back to New York City on a chilly winter morning to ride along on a real garbage truck and discover what happens to our trash after we throw it away. With our friend Amelia from the New York Hall of Science, we explore the hidden systems that keep a city running. We learn why sanitation workers start their day before sunrise, how trash is collected from busy sidewalks, and why NYC sanitation workers are known as the “strongest” for lifting heavy bags by hand. • Why different neighborhoods have different trash pickup schedules • What “coned” trash cans are and how kids can help when bins are full • The difference between household trash and recycling • Why batteries, electronics, and glass should never go in regular trash bags • What a transfer station is and where trash goes next Then we hop on the Culture Train to visit a recycling sorting center, where we watch conveyor belts, giant machines, and real workers separate paper, cans, glass, and food scraps so they can be turned into something new. • Paper can become pizza boxes • Food scraps can become soil • Soda cans can become new cans • Glass can be crushed and reused in new materials This episode helps kids understand that everything has a system, a place, and a story, and that even small everyday choices, like using the right bin or holding onto trash until you find one, can help the people who keep our communities clean. About the New York Hall of Science This episode was created in collaboration with the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI), a hands-on science and technology museum located in Queens, New York, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. 🌐 Website: https://nysci.org📍 Location: Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens, New York Follow NYSCI for hands-on science activities, family programs, and exhibit updates: 📸 Instagram: @nysci📘 Facebook: New York Hall of Science

In this Culture Kids adventure, we travel to Bird Island, South Africa with our friend Lisa Faith from SANCCOB to meet African penguins in their natural habitat. Surrounded by ocean waves, rocky shores, and thousands of seabirds, we learn what makes this island a safe nesting home for penguins and other coastal birds. We discover: What baby penguins look like before they get their waterproof feathers Why penguins huddle together in family groups What moulting is and why penguins cannot swim for several weeks The challenges African penguins face, including not having enough fish, pollution, oil spills, and habitat loss How SANCCOB rescues, rehabilitates, and releases seabirds back into the wild We also learn ways kids can help, like using less plastic, sharing what they learn, and supporting organizations that protect wildlife. Thank you to Lisa Faith and the entire SANCCOB team for the incredible work they do to care for African penguins and coastal seabirds. 🎧 Be sure to listen to our previous SANCCOB episode to learn more about penguin rescue and rehabilitation. PLEASE SUPPORT CULTURE KIDS! Culture Kids is a grassroots nonprofit creating free, accessible cultural and educational audio for children everywhere. You can support our mission by: ⭐ Leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📲 Sharing the show with a friend 🌍 Making a donation through our website 🔗 Website: https://culturekidsproductions.org and click on SUPPORT TAB 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/culturekidsproductions The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) rescues, rehabilitates, and releases seabirds, including critically endangered African penguins. 🔗 Website: https://sanccob.co.za 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/sanccob 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/SANCCOB 🐧 Adopt a penguin: https://sanccob.co.za/adopt

In this episode, Culture Kids travels to New York City to explore City Works, a hands-on family exhibit at the New York Hall of Science. Together with Amelia- the Director of Exhibit Design and Development, Asher and Mom discover the incredible systems and the people behind them that keep cities running every single day. From buses and ferries to water pipes and wastewater treatment, this episode helps kids understand that cities are much more than buildings. They’re living systems powered by teamwork, science, and care. How transportation systems like buses, subways, and ferries help people move around a city Where clean drinking water comes from and what happens after we flush the toilet How sanitation and wastewater systems protect neighborhoods, rivers, and oceans Why scientists, engineers, and city workers are so important to everyday life How cities around the world may look different—but all work to care for their communities Kids will love pretending to drive a city bus through Times Square, learning about rainwater and drains, and discovering the famous “4 Ps” of what’s safe to flush: pee, poop, puke, and paper! About CityWorks City Works is a large-scale, interactive exhibit designed especially for children and families. Through hands-on play, kids can explore real city systems like transportation, water, sanitation, and energy—and see how these systems are connected and supported by people working behind the scenes. The exhibit encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and empathy by helping children understand how cities function and how their everyday choices matter. Museum: New York Hall of Science Location: Queens, New York Website: https://nysci.org Exhibit Info: https://nysci.org/exhibitions/city-works The New York Hall of Science is a family-favorite destination with hundreds of interactive exhibits that make science fun, accessible, and engaging for kids of all ages. 🎧 Credits Host & Producer: Kristen Kim & Asher Kim Guest & Collaborator: Amelia, Director of Exhibit Design and Development Sound Design/Music/Edit: Culture Kids Productions Music: Envato Elements Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

In this immersive Culture Kids adventure, Kristen and Asher hop aboard the Culture Train and travel to the lush island of Kauai in Hawaii to visit Aunty Christy at the Kauai Animal Education Farm. Along the way, families learn where Kauai is located, why it is known as the “Garden Isle,” and how its rainforests, rivers, waterfalls, and dramatic coastline were shaped over millions of years. Once at the farm, listeners are welcomed into a peaceful, storybook-like setting where rescued animals roam freely and live in environments designed to help them feel safe, calm, and at home. Asher meets gentle tortoise Sherman, playful sheep Twinkletoes, and energetic rabbits doing joyful binkies, while Aunty Christy explains how animals come to the farm, how they are cared for, and how spending time with them can help people slow down, feel grounded, and connect more deeply with the world around them. This episode invites children and grown-ups alike to explore what it means to care for animals, learn their stories, and discover how humans and animals can support one another. Through hands-on moments, cultural connections, and thoughtful conversations, Culture Kids highlights how learning about animals where you live can be a meaningful way to help them, even from afar. Families will leave this episode feeling relaxed, curious, and inspired by the idea that every living being has a story worth listening to. As always, Culture Kids reminds listeners that they belong, that their curiosity matters, and that every adventure begins with an open heart and a willingness to learn. About Kauai Education Farm Websitehttps://www.kauaianimaleducationfarm.org Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/kauaianimaleducationfarm (@kauaianimaleducationfarm) Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/kauaianimaleducationfarm Visiting the Farm Visits are typically by appointment or through scheduled programs and events. Families, schools, and community groups are encouraged to reach out through the website to learn about current offerings, educational experiences, and opportunities to visit. Supporting the Farm Kauai Animal Education Farm is supported by community care, donations, and shared stewardship of the land and animals. Information about how to support the farm, stay connected, or learn more about the animals can be found on their website and social channels. Please support Culture Kids! Culture Kids is a volunteer supported nonprofit creating immersive, screen free stories that help children and families explore the world together through curiosity, respect, and imagination. If you would like to support our mission of creating a more connected world for our children, please consider donating any amount to help keep the Culture Train chugging along! http://culturekidsproductions.org Click on "Support" Check out our instagram and send us a DM! @culturekidsproductions 🎧 Credits Host & Producer: Kristen Kim & Asher Kim Guest & Collaborator: Christy at Kauai Education Farm Sound Design/Music/Edit: Culture Kids Productions Music: Envato Elements Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

All aboard the Culture Train. This week, Kristen and Asher travel to sunny South Africa to meet some very special coastal residents, African penguins. On this adventure, Culture Kids learn that not all penguins live in icy places. African penguins live along warm, sandy beaches and rocky coastlines in southern Africa. We visit SANCCOB, the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, where we meet Lisa Faith, an education supervisor and real life penguin protector. SANCCOB is like a hospital for seabirds, rescuing injured and orphaned African penguins, helping them heal, and preparing them to return safely to the ocean. Along the way, Culture Kids discover why African penguins are critically endangered and what that means for their future. We learn how SANCCOB began over 50 years ago when a woman named Althea turned her own bathroom into a penguin wash station after an oil spill, and how today the organization has helped more than 100,000 seabirds. Asher even gets to help feed real African penguins, meeting penguins named Sammy and Batman, and learning how each penguin’s belly spots are as unique as fingerprints. This episode is full of fun facts and meaningful learning. Culture Kids hear how African penguins eat sardines and anchovies, why they sneeze out extra salt from the ocean, how humans help replace lost nesting spaces, and how people and animals depend on one another. Most of all, this journey shows how care, teamwork, and learning can help protect animals and the planet we all share. ABOUT SANCCOB: Visit: www.sanccob.co.za. You can also follow them on Instagram at @sanccob and on Facebook by searching SANCCOB. Families can even adopt a penguin to help support their ongoing care and conservation efforts! Please support Culture Kids! Culture Kids is a volunteer supported nonprofit creating immersive, screen free stories that help children and families explore the world together through curiosity, respect, and imagination. If you would like to support our mission of creating a more connected world for our children, please consider making a donation of any amount to help keep the Culture Train chugging along! http://culturekidsproductions.org Click on "Support" Check out our instagram and send us a DM! @culturekidsproductions 🎧 Credits Host & Producer: Kristen Kim & Asher Kim Guest & Collaborator: Lisa Faith, Education Supervisor at SANCCOB Sound Design/Music/Edit: Culture Kids Productions Music: Envato Elements Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li

Today, the Culture Train rolls back in time to explore the incredible story of Dalmatians, the spotted dogs you might recognize right away but whose history might surprise you. With Mom, Asher, and special guest Arden, we travel to England in the late 1700s, where Dalmatians worked as carriage dogs, running alongside horses on busy cobblestone streets. We then journey forward to an early 1800s firehouse, where these hardworking dogs became trusted companions to firefighters and the horses that pulled fire wagons through growing cities. Along the way, we learn what makes Dalmatians unique, how their strong bodies and steady focus were shaped by life on the road, and why they became such an important symbol in firehouse history. We also explore how their role changed as technology evolved and what families should know about Dalmatians as pets today. This episode reminds us that animals, just like people and places, are shaped by where they come from and what they experience over time. Every journey leaves a story behind. 💙 A Note for Families Today’s adventure reminds us that everything around us has a story. When we take time to listen and learn, our curiosity grows and we feel more connected to the world around us. So next time you meet someone new, notice an animal, or discover something unfamiliar, try asking yourself, “What’s their story?” If you enjoy Culture Kids, a five star rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps more families discover the show. Culture Kids is a volunteer run nonprofit, and your support helps keep our Culture Train moving. Grab your imaginary passport and join us again soon for another adventure around the world. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad, Emil Kang STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

This episode is lovingly dedicated to our forever family dog, Sammy. The pawprints you left on our hearts will stay with us always. As a beautiful white Jindo, brave, loyal, and full of curious energy , you always found your way back home to us. We love you Sammy. Today, the Culture Train travels to Jindo Island in South Korea, the enchanting home of Korea’s national treasure, the extraordinary Jindo dog. With Mom and Asher leading the way, we explore a peaceful island filled with pine trees, fishing villages, ocean breezes, and deep connections between people, land, and animals. Along the shore, we meet a friendly white Jindo dog named Miso and begin to discover what makes this breed so special. In this episode, we learn how Jindo dogs have lived alongside families on Jindo Island for hundreds of years, helping guard homes, move through forests and mountains, and build strong bonds with the people they love. We discover why Jindos are known for their loyalty, why they rarely bark unless there is a reason, how they groom themselves like cats, and how the island itself helped shape their courage, intelligence, and calm nature. Through sights, sounds, and stories from the island, this adventure reminds us that just like dog breeds, cultures and communities are shaped by the places they grow from and the people who care for them. Jindo Island shows us how land and living beings can shape each other over time. This episode invites Culture Kids and families to reflect on their own communities, the places that feel like home, and the experiences that help shape who they are becoming. As always, we end with a reminder that here at Culture Kids, you and your family are welcomed, included, and celebrated for exactly who you are. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher Kim Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad & Emil Kang STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you! Sources: https://www.thekkf.or.kr/new_home/en/koreanbreeds.php https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/korean-jindo-imp/ https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=93802 http://www.jindos.org/breed-info.htm https://korelimited.com

Get ready for giggles as Culture Kids from around the world share their silliest, funniest, laugh-out-loud jokes. From animal jokes to classic kid humor, this segment is all about having fun, using your imagination, and laughing together. Thank you to every Culture Kid who sent in a joke. We loved reading them, we loved sharing them, and most of all, we love YOU. Your jokes make our Culture Train even more joyful. As we look ahead to a brand new year, we want to pause for a moment and say thank you to our amazing Culture Kid...YOU! We hope you remember that there is nobody else in the world like you. Your curiosity, imagination, and sense of adventure help make our world brighter, and we cannot wait to keep exploring our beautiful, diverse planet with you. And to the grown ups listening, thank you for helping create a more connected and welcoming world for children everywhere. It’s because of you that our Culture Train can keep chugging along. We hope you’ll continue leaning into the magic, wonder, and meaning of these shared adventures. Here’s to a year filled with joy, connection, and exciting new journeys and we’re so glad you’re riding the Culture Train with us!!! ABOUT CULTURE KIDS Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts; it really helps new families discover our show. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kimt Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad & Emil Kang STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

Please note this episode was originally produced last year and has been thoughtfully recreated this year with updated storytelling and sound design. Grab your imaginary passports and hop aboard the Culture Train, because today we are traveling to the Sahara Desert in Morocco, located in North Africa, where golden sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. On this immersive adventure, Kristen and Asher meet Mohammed, a local Amazigh (Berber) tour guide who grew up in the Sahara Desert and speaks seven languages. With Mohammed as our guide, we learn what daily life is like in the desert and what it means to grow up in a nomadic community. What the word “Sahara” means in Arabic Where Morocco is located and why it’s known for colorful cities and vast deserts Who the Amazigh (Berber) people are and why they are the Indigenous people of North Africa The languages spoken in Morocco, including Arabic, Amazigh, French, and more Moroccan mint tea traditions, including why bubbles matter Riding dromedary camels and learning why they have one hump How desert homes are built using mud, clay, and hay to stay cool and warm Why soccer is loved by kids all over the world Desert adventures like sandboarding and watching the sunset over the dunes Through gentle conversation, sound-rich storytelling, and lots of imagination, this episode helps kids picture life in the Sahara while learning how environment, culture, and history shape the way people live. This episode features Mohammed, a local Amazigh guide who grew up in the Sahara Desert and now shares Moroccan culture, language, and desert life with families from around the world. If your family is planning a trip to Morocco and would like to experience the Sahara Desert with a local guide, you can learn more through: Positively Morocco Tours (ask for Mohammed from Culture Kids) https://positivelymoroccotours.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293732-d16734409-Reviews-Positively_Morocco_Tours-Casablanca_Casablanca_Settat.html CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim Guest: Mohammed from Positively Tours Morocco Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad, Emil Kang STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

All aboard, Culture Kids families! In this adventure, Mom and Asher hop back onto the Culture Train Time Machine for an unforgettable visit to ancient Rome, where they reunite with Ms. Zoe, producer of the Getty Museum podcast If Objects Could Talk. Together, they tiptoe into a glowing triclinium, the Roman dining room, to watch a real dinner party happening over two thousand years ago. VISIT THE GETTY VILLA MUSEUM The Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. It is housed in a re-created Roman country home, complete with gardens, pools, mosaics, and over a thousand ancient artworks. Website: ⁠https://www.getty.edu/visit/villa/⁠ Follow the Getty: Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/gettymuseum⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/gettymuseum ⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@gettymuseum⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/gettymuseum⁠ CHECK OUT IF OBJECTS COULD TALK: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/⁠ includes episodes, transcripts, activity guides, coloring sheets, and images Apple Podcasts : ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-objects-could-talk/id1833978909⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLij2XTFgmBSRjG57WlJA2RhkWB4OkGGtG ********************* ABOUT CULTURE KIDS Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps new families discover our show. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim Guest & Co Producer: Zoe Goldman/ J. Paul Getty Trust Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you! 🎉 Culture Kids Joke Fest Reminder! There is still time to send in your funniest joke. Simply leave it in a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts. Your joke might be featured in our special end of year Joke Fest episode.

Grab your imaginary passports because today, we’re fluttering into a magical world filled with glowing flowers, shimmering wings, and butterflies from all around the globe! This special adventure was inspired by Eleanor, age 5! Thank you for suggesting this beautiful episode! 🌼 What Kids Will Experience In this immersive audio journey, children and families explore an enchanted meadow where flowers shift colors, mango trees suddenly appear, and butterflies share their hidden secrets. Through storytelling, imagination, and playful discovery, kids learn surprising facts about butterflies and the important role they play in different cultures around the world. 🦋 What Kids Will Learn • Why butterflies can taste with their feet • How butterflies see colors that humans can’t • How some butterflies survive freezing winters • What a proboscis is and how it works • Why Monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles • The cultural importance of Monarchs during Día de Muertos • Why Blue Morphos look blue even though they technically aren’t • How butterflies help keep forests and ecosystems healthy • How Indigenous communities in the Amazon view and honor brightly colored butterflies This adventure invites children to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the small wonders around them. Butterflies teach us that even delicate creatures can be extraordinary, surprising, and important, and that our world is full of magic waiting to be discovered. ABOUT CULTURE KIDS Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, it really helps new families discover our show. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher Kim Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

Bundle up, Culture Kids! Today, we travel to the sparkling heart of winter magic at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Together, we explore the world-famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree, sip hot chocolate, glide past the ice-skating rink, and discover the golden story of Prometheus, the statue who brings light and hope to millions. This audio-immersive episode is filled with twinkling lights, heartwarming stories from history, and the incredible tradition that began with one small tree during the Great Depression. Your Culture Train tickets are ready… all aboard! In this episode, kids will learn the rich history behind the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, starting from its humble beginnings in 1931 and the reason it brought so much hope during the Great Depression. They’ll discover fun facts about the Norway spruce and the glittering star that crowns it, along with the meaning behind Paul Manship’s Prometheus statue and why it shines so brightly at Rockefeller Center. Children will also explore what winter holiday magic means to families around the world and learn simple, meaningful ways they can share their own spark of kindness this season. Links & Resources Explore more about today’s destination: Rockefeller Center Official Site:https://www.rockefellercenter.com About the Rockefeller Christmas Tree:https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree About Prometheus Statue:https://www.rockefellercenter.com/art-and-history/prometheus ABOUT CULTURE KIDS Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, it really helps new families discover our show! CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher Kim Guest: Dhruv Singhal Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

Pack your imaginary bags, Culture Kids! In this episode, Kristen, Asher, and our special guest Ms. Zoe, producer of Getty's podcast If Objects Could Talk, take you on a magical adventure to the Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles. Together, we stroll through sunlit gardens and explore an ancient Roman-style villa. Then, with a whirl of our time machine, we journey back two thousand years to a grand dining room to see how Romans prepared for a spectacular dinner party. Kids will discover how ancient Romans reclined on couches while eating, what dishes and cups looked like in the ancient world, why people often ate with their hands, and how paintings inspired by Egypt became popular decorations inside Roman homes. This episode also includes a special shout-out to Henry for his wonderful five-star review and a reminder to send in your funniest joke for our end-of-year Culture Kids Joke Fest! VISIT THE GETTY VILLA MUSEUM The Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. It is housed in a re-created Roman country home, complete with gardens, pools, mosaics, and over a thousand ancient artworks. Website: ⁠https://www.getty.edu/visit/villa/⁠ Follow the Getty: Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/gettymuseum⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/gettymuseum⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@gettymuseum⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/gettymuseum⁠ CHECK OUT IF OBJECTS COULD TALK: https://www.getty.edu/podcasts/if-objects-could-talk/⁠ — includes episodes, transcripts, activity guides, coloring sheets, and images Apple Podcasts : ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-objects-could-talk/id1833978909⁠ ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLij2XTFgmBSRjG57WlJA2RhkWB4OkGGtG ********************* ABOUT CULTURE KIDS Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps new families discover our show. CREDITS Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim Guest & Co Producer: Zoe Goldman/ J. Paul Getty Trust Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad STAY CONNECTED WITH US! Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site, we love hearing from you!

All aboard, Culture Kids! In this week’s magical adventure, Mom and Asher hop on the Culture Train and travel to Beijing, China, a city filled with history, color, and stories that stretch back thousands of years. Together with special guest Ms. Dan Song, author of the My City Adventures series, they step through the mighty red gates of the Forbidden City, where emperors once ruled and legends were born. You’ll hear the echoes of ancient footsteps, learn what the color red means in Chinese culture, and even discover why the Forbidden City was once “forbidden.” From dragons and phoenixes to royal bedrooms and bronze cranes, this episode brings China’s past to life in a way kids can see, hear, and imagine. And of course, no Culture Kids adventure would be complete without food! 🍽️ Join us as we try Peking duck, one of Beijing’s most famous dishes, once enjoyed by emperors and still beloved today. Families will also learn simple Mandarin phrases, explore what makes each region of China unique, and celebrate the beauty of cultural diversity across this incredible country. About Our City Adventure Series : The Our City Adventure series is published by Phoenix Tree Publishing, Inc. These books invite readers to travel vicariously through several of China’s exciting cities: Xi’an, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, etc., learning about the local culture, language, foods, and more! Buy Here: https://www.phoenixtree.com/shop Search for "Our City Adventures" and choose a city of your choice- or buy them all! Culture Kids is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by families and volunteers, creating free, world-class cultural education for children everywhere. We rely on your support to keep the Culture Train chugging along. Here’s how you can help: Donate: https://www.culturekidsmedia.com/support/ Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it really helps new families discover our show. Credits Host and Produced By: Kristen Kim Co-Hosts: Asher & Arden Kim Guest: Dan Song Post Production & Audio Engineer: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad Stay connected with us: Instagram: @culturekidsproductions Website: http://culturekidsproductions.com Email / Voicemail: available through our site — we love hearing from you!

Helloo Culture Kids! Grab your imaginary passports and bags because today, Mom (Kristen) and Asher hop on our magical train and travel to the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic. 🇩🇴 We meet our friend Ms. D, a Dominican social-media chef, by a riverside feast to cook the national dish: La Bandera Dominicana (the Dominican flag on a plate!). Together we explore the island’s music, languages, food, community spirit, and why this dish means so much. We hope you’re ready for delicious smells, sizzling pans, river fun, and lots of learning. And don’t forget Asher’s reminder: after all that cooking, we might just dip into the river! In this episode, you’ll learn where the Dominican Republic is and what makes it such a musical, vibrant, and culturally rich country. You’ll discover what La Bandera Dominicana is and how its colors, white rice, red beans, stewed chicken, and a green salad, represent the nation’s flag. You’ll also hear how to cook chicken in a caldero, a traditional Dominican pot used over a fire, using sofrito, Dominican oregano, garlic, and black pepper. Ms. D even shows us the clever trick of adding a little brown sugar to create that deep, golden color on the chicken. Connect & Follow Ms D Instagram: @_cookingwitd — “The Dominican Way, bueno my way!” TikTok: (look for “CookingWitD”) Email/Partnerships: [email protected] 📣 Please join our journey and help spread the word! Visit culturekidsproductions.org and click on SUPPORT, to learn how you can support our mission, subscribe to episode updates, and help us reach more families. Follow us on Instagram @culturekidsproductions and tag us when you ride the “Culture Train” or explore a new tradition. Leave us a 5★ rating on Apple Podcasts ! Your review amplifies our reach so more children feel they belong and discover new cultures with us. Credits Hosts: Kristen & Asher Kim Guest & Co Producer: Ms. Dahianna (CookingwitD) Edited, Written and Produced by: Kristen Kim Music & Sound FX: Envato Elements Audio Engineer & Post: Robin Lai Academic Consultant: Elisha Li