Egyptian Mythology for Kids: A Complete Family Guide
When your children ask "what are hieroglyphics?" or "why did the Egyptians worship cats?", this guide will help you answer. Egyptian mythology is one of the oldest storytelling traditions in the world, and its stories continue to fascinate children and adults 4,500 years later. Here is everything you need to enjoy it as a family.
What is Egyptian Mythology?
Egyptian mythology is the collection of beliefs, stories, and rituals of the ancient Egyptians. It was not simply "religion" — it was their way of explaining the world. Why does the sun rise every morning? Because Ra sails his golden boat across the sky. Why does writing exist? Because Thoth invented hieroglyphics. Why are cats special? Because Bastet, the cat goddess, protects homes.
The Main Gods
Ra is the sun god, creator of everything. In The Creation of the World, he emerges from primordial waters to shape the universe.
Isis is the goddess of magic and motherhood. In Isis and Osiris, her love and determination are so powerful she can bring the dead back to life.
Osiris is the god of the underworld and renewal. Murdered by his brother Set, he is resurrected by Isis and becomes judge of the dead.
Horus, son of Isis and Osiris, is the falcon god and protector of Egypt. In Horus and the Battle for Egypt, he fights for justice against his uncle Set.
Anubis, the jackal god, guides the dead and weighs their hearts on the scales of truth.
Thoth, the ibis god, is the patron of wisdom. He invented writing, mathematics, and the calendar.
Bastet is the cat goddess, protector of children and homes.
Why Children Connect with These Myths
Egyptian myths have everything a child looks for in a story: gods with incredible powers, epic battles between good and evil, magical animals, and endings where justice prevails. But beyond entertainment, these myths teach universal values: honesty (Anubis), loyalty (Isis), courage (Ra), wisdom (Thoth), and kindness (Bastet).
Recommended Ages
Our collection of 12 stories covers three age ranges:
- Ages 3-5: Bastet and The Girl with the Rose-Red Slippers — simple stories with gentle language
- Ages 6-8: Ra, Isis, Horus, Anubis, Thoth, the Sphinx, the Sailor — the majority of the collection
- Ages 9-11: Sinuhe and The Book of Thoth — more complex plots with moral dilemmas
Fun Facts to Share with Your Family
- Ancient Egyptians shaved their eyebrows when their family cat died, as a sign of mourning.
- The Great Sphinx is 73 meters long — about the length of a football field.
- The story of Rhodopis is the oldest Cinderella story in the world, written 700 years before Perrault's version.
- The feather of Ma'at that Anubis used was an ostrich feather.
- Thoth invented not just writing, but also the calendar and mathematics.
Start the Adventure
Explore all 12 stories with watercolor illustrations and narrated audio at Egyptian Mythology for Kids. Perfect for bedtime or any time of day.