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Discover More About Bulgaria With These Activities and Games
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Time to read 4 min
Never Struggle Planning Activities Again
Easy to use activity booklets for your troop meeting.Never Struggle Planning Activities Again
Easy to use activity booklets for your troop meeting.|
Time to read 4 min
Want a fun way to explore a new country with your troop? Choosing a destination and diving into its people, geography, history, and culture is a fantastic way to learn.
Let's center your next event around Bulgaria, one of Europe's oldest gems, known for its stunning mountains, golden beaches, and the sweet scent of roses. I’ve gathered key facts about this Balkan nation, along with a collection of games and activities to make your learning session truly unforgettable.
This content is ideal for printing and use as a display or for sharing directly with your group. The games and activities below will bring these facts to life!
Did you know? Bulgaria is the only country in Europe that hasn't changed its name since it was first established in 681 AD! Also, in Bulgaria, people often shake their heads for "yes" and nod for "no"—it can be very confusing for visitors!
Geography of Bulgaria:
Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe, bordered by Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey.
The Balkan Mountains run right through the middle of the country, and the beautiful Black Sea borders it to the east.
Bulgaria is world-famous for its Valley of Roses, which produces most of the world's rose oil used in expensive perfumes.
The country is dotted with over 600 natural mineral springs, making it a top destination for spas and wellness.
Where are the people?
The capital, Sofia, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, with Roman ruins visible right in the middle of the modern subway stations!
Bulgarians use the Cyrillic alphabet. Many people don't know that this alphabet was actually invented in Bulgaria before spreading to Russia and other countries.
On March 1st, Bulgarians celebrate Baba Marta. Everyone wears "Martenitsi"—small red and white tassels or bracelets—to welcome spring.
Nature and Conservation:
Bulgaria has some of the most diverse wildlife in Europe, including brown bears, wolves, and the rare Balkan chamois (a type of goat-antelope).
It is home to the Vitosha National Park, the oldest national park in the Balkans.
Bulgaria is a major "highway" for migratory birds traveling from Europe to Africa.
Language and Culture:
The national instrument is the Gaida, a type of bagpipe made from goatskin.
Bulgarian folk music is famous for its unique "asymmetric" rhythms and hauntingly beautiful choir singing.
Kukeri is an ancient tradition where people dress in giant, hairy costumes and scary masks to dance and scare away evil spirits for the new year.
Food and Traditions:
Bulgaria is the birthplace of yogurt! They have a special bacteria called Lactobacillus bulgaricus that only grows naturally in their air.
Banitsa is the most popular snack—a flaky pastry filled with eggs and white brine cheese (sirene).
They love fresh salads, especially Shopska Salad, which features the colors of the Bulgarian flag: white (cheese), green (cucumbers), and red (tomatoes).
Bringing a culture to life is best done through activities! Try one of these fun ideas at your next gathering.
You may enjoy teaching your girls facts about Bulgaria while playing a game of bingo. In this bingo game, there are 24 different Bulgaria facts your girls will learn about while playing the game. When you draw a fact listed on the bingo cards, you can also tell your girls a little bit about what each of them means. After one game, play again and have the girls tell you what each fact means.
Kukeri are the famous "monsters" of Bulgaria that scare away winter and evil spirits.
What is it? These masks are huge, hairy, and decorated with bells, beads, and mirrors.
Activity: Provide a mask template for the girls to color with vibrant, scary patterns.
The Finishing Touch: Glue on "hair" using shredded paper or yarn. If you have small craft bells, glue those on too so they can "scare the spirits" with noise!
The Bulgarian flag is three horizontal stripes: White, Green, and Red.
Activity: Have the girls create the flag using different materials. White represents peace, green represents the fertility of the land, and red represents the courage of the people.
Since Bulgaria gave the world the Cyrillic alphabet, it's the perfect time for a writing lesson.
Activity: Provide a Cyrillic alphabet key. Have the girls "translate" their names into Bulgarian letters.
Fun Fact: "A" is still "A," but "B" looks like "Б" and "V" looks like "В"!
While you might know these as "Turkish Delight," these sweet, jelly-like candies are a popular treat in Bolivia, where they are often called Manjar Blanco or simply Lokum. They arrived in South America via a long history of trade and have become a favorite "fancy" treat for special occasions!
What are they? Lokum are chewy, starch-based candies dusted in powdered sugar. They are often flavored with rosewater, lemon, or orange, and sometimes filled with chopped pistachios or walnuts.
The Texture: They have a unique, bouncy texture—not quite a gummy bear and not quite a marshmallow.
Activity: Cut the Lokum into small cubes and have the girls try different colors.
The Challenge: Since they are very sweet, see if the girls can guess the floral or fruity flavors without looking at the box!
Bolivian textiles, known as Aguayo, are famous for their vibrant, geometric patterns that tell stories of the mountains and sky.
Activity: Instead of a needle and thread, we’ll use "paper embroidery" to create these intricate designs.
The Materials: Use a sheet of graph paper or go to link below for free printable to map out a colorful, geometric llama or Andean sun. Then, take small strips or squares of vibrant cardstock (red, yellow, and green).
The Technique: Fold the cardstock pieces to give them a 3D "stitched" texture, then glue them onto the graph paper following your pattern.
The Result: When you're finished, the folded edges and layered paper will look just like a raised, hand-woven embroidery artwork!
If you're looking for more visual inspiration and deep-dive resources to make your Bulgaria event truly memorable, Pinterest is a fantastic place to start!
Enjoy every minute being a leader and continue to inspire your girls!
