Myths from Ancient Egypt for Kids

The ancient Egyptians had over 2,000 gods they could call on to help them with their life. In ancient Egypt, everybody had a job to do. Gods were no exception. Gods had jobs. There were over 2,000 gods in ancient Egypt because there was a lot of work to do. Most ancient Egyptian gods had animal heads or green bodies or something that set them apart from people. You might think the ancient Egyptian people would be afraid of these very scary looking gods. But they loved their gods. They were not afraid of their gods at all, at least, not most of them.

Ancient Egypt gods were very unique, and so were the stories and myths they told about their many gods. Here are just a few of them:

Ancient Egypt Creation Stories - Nun, Nut, Atum, Ra, Osiris, Isis

• A creation story, also called a creation myth, is a story about how a civilization was created. In ancient Egypt, there were several popular creation stories. 

• Ancient Egyptian Creation Story Myth #1: One ancient Egyptian creation story features the lotus flower, the flower that is used a great deal in ancient Egypt art and design. The ancient Egyptians believed that the entire universe was called Nun. Nun was made of nothing but water – a vast ocean. Out of Nun, there emerged a lotus flower together with a single mound of dry land. What do you think the dry land was called? If you guessed Egypt, you're right! Out of the lotus flower bloomed the sun god Atum, who job was to warm the dry land each day.

• Ancient Egyptian Creation Story Myth #2: In another ancient Egyptian creation story, the god is not called Atum; he is called Ra. Each night, the lotus blossom closed, tucking Ra in for a safe and warm night’s sleep. In the morning, the lotus flower opened so that Ra could come out and play. In ancient Egypt, everybody had a job to do, including a lotus flower.

• Ancient Egyptian Creation Story Myth #3: One of the most popular creation stories in ancient Egypt was The Legend of Isis and Osiris, when the earth was new and everything was just beginning.

Very Old Myth: The Legend of Isis and Osiris - retold by Lin Donn

More creation stories and myths

 Ancient Egyptian Stories, Myths, and Legends for Kids (some interactive, some animated)

Very Old Ancient Egyptian Tall Tales - Curse of the Gods

Ancient Egyptian Gods Games & Stories

Mehetra, Young Priestess, the TimeKeeper

Meet the Many Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Gods (Interactive, Children's University)

Interactive GAMES about Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt for Kids