Geography games and activities are a great method to promote global awareness within your home and build kids’ geography and map skills! Here are some simple activities that introduce your child to the world – including geography concepts and cultural awareness — without breaking your travel budget.
1. Encourage free exploration of maps and globes around your home. Try putting together a map puzzle. Younger children will have success with larger puzzle pieces. Keep maps or globes displayed in your home. For a fun project, ask your child to pick a place on the map or globe and plan a make-believe trip. Have him or her design a travel itinerary with places to visit, clothes to pack, and transportation.
2. Explore food around the world by introducing multicultural recipes. Make it a party and invite friends to bring a dish from a specific country or culture.
3. Help your child draw a map of your home to introduce spatial awareness. Be sure to have your children label each room and include drawings of furniture.
4. When you travel, discuss the route you will drive and draw a map.
- Introduce terms such as north, south, east, and west as well as abbreviations such as S.W., S.E., N.W., and N.E.
- Encourage your children to read a map in the car or look at your vehicle’s GPS monitor as you drive.
5. Read books about different places and people. Here are a few suggestions:
- Beginner’s World Atlas (National Geography Kids)
- The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World (Lonely Planet Kids)
- Kids Around the World Cook!: The Best Foods and Recipes from Many Lands by Arlette N. Braman
- Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China by Ai-Ling Louie
- Once There Was a Story: Tales from Around the World, Perfect for Sharing by Jane Yolen
6. Introduce geography activity books such as Skill Sharpeners: Geography! These colorful activity books are a wonderful combination of fun and learning. The interactive activities allow children to explore the world while learning important map skills and geography concepts. These workbooks are an ideal supplement to support a homeschool curriculum.
Download free geography printables from this Skill Sharpeners Geography Sampler for grades PreK–6.
Promote free observation and inquiry within your home while teaching your children to be globally minded. What activities do you enjoy that build children’s geography awareness?
Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative for students. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.