History: Significant Explorers: Ibn Battuta KS1 Lesson Pack 2

How can children learn about the great explorer Ibn Battuta?

Ibn Battuta, a great explorer from around 700 years ago, is ideal for KS1 children to learn about as they can gain an understanding of how the world has changed. Ibn Battuta’s travels were unusual because, at the time he lived, not many people travelled far from the place they were born.

Use this lesson to show children how difficult it is to find out about explorers who lived a long time ago - compared to those in more recent history. The PowerPoint explains where, how and why Ibn Battuta travelled so far and the children will be fascinated by some of the dangers he faced. One of the worksheets provides a great opportunity for children to develop their geography skills where they mark some of the places Ibn Battuta visited on a map. The differentiated worksheets included in this pack focus on asking the children to compare how we find out about explorations that happened in the very recent past with how we find out about Ibn Battuta's travels. 

This is lesson 2 of 6 lessons about great explorers with following lessons teaching children about recent polar explorers and a space explorer.

For some more great Ibn Battuta resources, consider checking out some of our related resources.  

• This Ibn Battuta Activity Pack is a little world and each resource is an island. Feel free to explore! 
• Our Ibn Battuta PowerPoint contains important biographical information about the adventurer. 
• This Ibn Battuta Map for Kids can be used to augment the experience of our other Ibn Battuta resources. Use it to help your children trace the explorer's journey!  

What are top facts about Ibn Battuta?

1. Ibn Battuta was born in Morocco in 1304. 

2. Ibn Battuta travelled over 73,000 miles. 

3. Ibn Battuta visited the equivalent of 44 modern countries. 

4. Ibn Battuta travelled on the backs of camels, donkeys and horses. He also travelled by foot and by boat. 

5. Ibn Battuta was a Muslim. He studied Islamic law like others in this family. 

6. Ibn Battuta often travelled as part of a caravan for safety. 

7. Details of Ibn Battuta's travels were written down by someone he told all about his journeys. 8. The book containing details of his travels is called the 'Rihla'. 

9. Some historians believe that Ibn Battuta did not do all of the things he claimed to have seen and done in the 'Rihla'. 

10. There is some uncertainty about when Ibn Battuta died but it is thought that it was in 1368 or 1369. (Some sources say he died in 1377.)