A nano-modification method is proposed to improve the performance of alkali activated cementitious materials (AAM). This paper reviewed the effects of nano-particles (i.e., silica particles) and nano-materials (i.e., cabon nano-tube) on the workability, setting and hardening behavior, mechanical property and durability of AAM. The acceleration of geopolymerization, the more compact matrix, the higher strength and the lower permeability of nano-modified AAM occur due to the presence of soluble silica in alkali solution from silica nanoparticles and the nucleation site effect, filling effect derived from other nano-particles such as TiO₂ nanoparticles. The modified AAM with a higher toughness and a lower brittleness is available for the incorporation of carbon nano-tube or graphene oxide. Furthermore, the carbon nano-tube or graphene oxide modified AAM exhibits some functional characteristics like the self-sensing capacity to detect its own structural damage and the photocatalytic performance to treat wastewater. Some controversial issues on the flowability and setting time of fersh mixtures, strength and permeability of hardened samples containing silica nanoparticles in previous studies were also represented. The reason for the controversial issues above could be due to the interaction bewteen silica nanoparticles and alkaline solution and the initial chemical reaction between silica nanoparticles and Ca²⁺ ions in solution. In addition, some further research works on nano-modified AAM were also given.