Discover More About Argentina with these Activities and Games

One fun thing to do with your girls is to teach them about another country. Everything from the people of the country, the weather, culture, food, and the local language. You can center an entire meeting around teaching girls about Argentina. I’ve included some general facts about the country, and highlighted a few games, activities, craft suggestion, and other resources to make your meeting fun and educational.

This is the content you can print and use to put together a poster, or share with your girls during a meeting. If you want easy-to-use games and activities to teach your girls these facts, be sure to keep reading.

Did you know? A famous Argentine invention is the tango dance; some of the biggest dance schools were developed by dancers who came from immigrant families in Argentina. Tango dancers usually tell sad stories with their dance moves. Argentina means ‘land of silver.’ Plus, Argentina was once one of the world’s wealthiest nations.

Geography in Argentina: Argentina is located on the South American continent and borders Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Argentina is the world’s eight largest country and second largest country in South America, after Brazil. Argentina covers about one third as much land area compared with the size of the USA.

Flat grassy plains cover most of central and northern Argentina. Most of these ‘pampas’ are used to herd cattle and sheep, which there are more of than humans. The pampas in Argentina are generally just flat fertile plains. The word ‘pampas’ originates from the Quechua Indians language, and means ‘flat surface’.

Southern Argentina has a very cold climate with high mountains, glaciers, and very cold weather, as it is quite close to Antarctica.

The Andes, the longest mountain range in the world, mark the natural border between Chile and Argentina. The Iguazu Falls, located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, are among the largest waterfalls in the world and stretch over 1.6 miles. The falls are actually a series of 275 falls.

Where are the people in Argentina? Buenos Aires is the capital and most populous city. One third of the population in Argentina live in the capital city Buenos Aires. 92% of the people live in urban centers, which means cities and towns. There are about 46 million people living in Argentina.

Animals in Argentina: The Pink Fairy Armadillo is the world’s smallest armadillo, measuring at only six inches long. This burrowing, rose-colored creature lives in the pampas of central Argentina, as well as in sand dunes.

Native to Argentina and Chile, the large, four-eyed frog appears to have four eyes. This is due to the two eye-looking marks on its hind legs. These frogs use this to their advantage because these “eyes” on its hind legs can make it look like its face. The “eyes” also shoot poison into their predator’s face.

The great spotted jaguar is native to South America, and can still be glimpsed in parts of northern Argentina. Unfortunately, there are as few as 50 left in the area. They are the largest cat in the entire American continent.

Government in Argentina: The government of Argentina is a democratic system that is divided into three branches: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.

Economy in Argentina: Argentina is the world’s biggest exporter of soybean meal and the third biggest exporter of both corn and raw soybeans. Argentina’s economy, which is one of the more powerful in the region, is dependent on services and manufacturing. Argentina still produces more grain than any other country in Latin America and is second in cattle raising only to Brazil. Argentina is also a founding member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Union of South American Nations, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of Ibero-American States.

Armed Forces in Argentina: The Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic are controlled by the Commander-in-Chief (the President) and a civilian Minister of Defense. In addition to the Army, Navy and Air Force, there are two security forces. The National Gendarmerie is used to guard borders and places of importance, while the Naval Prefecture is a coast guard used to protect major rivers. Argentina maintains close defense cooperation and military-supply relationships with the United States. The modern Argentine Armed Forces are committed to international peacekeeping, humanitarian aid on emergency relief, and to support the country’s continuous presence at Antarctica.

Language in Argentina: The official language used in Argentina is Spanish. Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking country in South America. Spanish is used as the official language because the Spanish brought the language with them when they arrived and settled in Argentina. However, the Spanish spoken in Argentina has developed differently and sounds different to the Spanish spoken in Spain. Indigenous languages are also spoken by many Argentines. These are Mapuche, Guarani and Quechua. Other European languages such as Italian, English, German, and French are also spoken by most Argentines.

Religion in Argentina: Religion has played a significant role in social and political life throughout Argentinian history. Roman Catholicism is particularly culturally pervasive and continues to be the official religion of the state. Approximately 92% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic. While Roman Catholicism is the official religion of the state, freedom of religious choice is protected under the Argentine constitution.

Education in Argentina: The school year in Argentina runs from March to December and lasts about 200 days. Normally, public elementary schools are in session for four and a half hours each weekday, and a school will have a morning and afternoon session.

The educational system is divided into four distinct levels. The pre primary level (kindergarten) is not required and enrolls children from 3- to 5-years-old. The primary (elementary) level is required and consists of 7 grades. Students at this level must remain until all 7 grades are completed or, in case of repetition of grades, until age 14. Children from 6- to 12-years-old attend primary school along with adults who need instruction on this level. The secondary level is attended by youths from 12- to 17-years-old, or 16 if they are employed and attend night school. Courses of study vary from 3 to 8 years and prepare students for vocational or professional programs.

Food in Argentina: Typical Argentine food consists of lots of meat. Argentine Beef is known worldwide for its full flavor and tenderness. Lunch is actually the largest meal of the whole day. Argentine people love their ‘Asado’ where food is typically prepared on a grill or over open fire as part of a barbecue (BBQ).

• Dulce de Leche: literally means sweet from milk and that is what it is, also called ‘milk candy’ in English. Delicious ‘dulce de leche’ cheesecake is made with this sweet creamy syrup. In Argentina ‘dulce de leche’ is made with milk, sugar and a little vanilla.
• Empanadas: Deep-fried or baked stuffed pastry pockets with either a savory (cheese, vegetable or minced chicken or beef meat) or a sweet filling (with dulce de leche or sweet potato paste for example).

Recreation in Argentina: Sport is an important part of the cultural and social life in Argentina. Whether you like to play or observe sports, Argentina has a busy sporting calendar with major events in football, polo and rugby taking place throughout the year. Pato is played on horseback with the rider holding a net in his hand. However, few play the national sport as it is an expensive sport. Soccer is the most popular sports activity and Argentina has won the world cup two times. There are famous soccer stars such as Maradona, Messi and others.

Argentina is a vast country whose dramatic mountain landscapes and long coastline lends itself to outdoor sports. Popular activities include canoeing, cycling, diving, hiking, rock climbing and mountaineering, skiing, surfing, and windsurfing.

Ball in the Air 

It is a popular indoor or outdoor game played in Argentina. You will need a playing area about 27 yards square. Set up a boundary line along one side of the field. This game is for large groups; traditionally there are 30 players in two teams of 15. And you will need one volleyball or basketball

1. Divide into two teams of equal size and ability. The members in Team A form a line along the boundary. Team B members form into a circle at the other end of the field with approximately one yard between each player.

2. When the signal is given the members of Team A run as quickly as possible around Team B and back to the boundary line.

3. At the same time, Team B members start passing the volleyball backwards over their heads, from one player to the next. As each player catches the ball he must call out the number of the pass. For example, as the second player of Team B catches the ball she calls out ‘one’, the next player calls out ‘two’ as he catches the ball, and so on.

4. After completing one loop (every player running completely around Team B), Team A members race back to the boundary line. When the last player crosses over the line they all yell out “Stop!’

5. Team B completes the pass it is doing and then stops passing the ball. They record the number of passes they completed.

6. The teams change places and continue playing.

7. The winner is the team that makes the most passes.

Tira Y Afloja 

A traditional game in Argentina is the “Tira y afloja.” This type of game tests both strength skills and teamwork. To play only requires a rope for both teams to pull, the line on the floor shows the limit, and sector of each team. The first team to step on the line is the losing group.

Truco

You will need playing cards. Each player is dealt three cards from the deck consisting of the numbers 1 to 7, along with the jack, queen, and king. The most common form of the game is the four-player version, in which two teams of two players sit opposite each other. 

The game is played until a team finishes a game with 30 points or more. Each round has three tricks. The mano leads to the first trick by playing one card. Then, counterclockwise, each other player plays one card. The player with the highest card wins the trick. The cards remain face-up on the table during the round. Sometimes the highest cards tie. If these tied cards were played by the same team, that team wins the trick. Otherwise, the trick is called a draw, parda. The same mano then leads the next trick.

Here are few other around the world ideas I have shared in the past that may be great for your event as well if you are doing more than learning about one country.

• Airplane Ride Activity Girls will take an airplane ride around the world.
• World Trefoil Game Girls will learn the meaning of the Trefoil pin.
• 12 Resources on the Web to Plan Your International Event Here you will find a pile of amazing resources I have found online that will help you plan your event.

Enjoy every minute being a leader and continue to inspire your girls!