Teaching Kids Geography: Puzzles, Books, and Activities

Last week we talked about making a magnetic puzzle map of the United States. Here are some other geography activities our family enjoys that you may want to try at home.

We collect map puzzles (many of which we scored at the thrift store) such as this floor puzzle of the United States:

Teaching kids about geography

We love Puzzleballs of the globe, continents, and world map. With them you can have both a geography and math lesson if you put the pieces together in numerical order which are on the flip side of the map picture:

Teaching kids about geography

We pour over atlases such as the National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers, which we took out of the library, answering questions such as “which country on this map grows bananas?” or “where does our friend Natalia live in New Zealand?” Our five year old soaks it up!

Teaching kids about geography

We also collect local maps of the area and practice driving with our finger from one destination to another, marking out how Daddy drives to work or where our favorite playground is located in relation to our house.

Music is a fantastic teaching tool too. We love to belt out the “Continents Song” that I learned when I was a little girl. Other songs such as “Mississippi Cats” and “Bells of Westminster” (from our Music Together classes) can be jumping off points for discussing a particular state or place. Sing the song, then go find that spot on a map!

April Wishlist

I’m in the midst of a shopping diet. Call it a New Year’s resolution. We’re trying to save money (or at least come out even each month!). No more gratuitous eating out or splurges at Lululemon or Kate Spade.

So I thought perhaps you’d like to do a little window shopping with me from my Retail Therapy Pinterest board.

Here are my April favs:
April shopping wishlist via Pinterest
1. MORE LOVE print from theloveshop via Etsy (pin)
2. Handmade Owl Shaped Soaps from Seventh Tree Soaps via Etsy (pin)
3. Ball Heritage Collection Limited Edition Blue Pint Jars (pin)
4. Back Bay Pottery: Rustic Yet Elegant Handmade Dinnerware & Tabletop (pin)
5. SoludosĀ® Low-Cut Espadrilles in Polka Dot from Madewell (pin)

What are you lusting after this month?

Teaching Kids Geography: Make Your Own Magnetic USA Map Puzzle

With relatives living throughout the United States, our daughter has always had a strong interest in knowing where Aunt Laura or Pop-Pop or Gramma lives. To her, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, and New Mexico are the ultimate vacation destinations because the people she loves most live there (rightly so!).

DIY Magnetic USA Map Puzzle

In addition to an interest in geography, our daughter loves puzzles. Better yet if we put both obsessions together. Here is an inexpensive, fun geography activity that we put together in a matter of minutes.

DIY Magnetic USA Map Puzzle

We printed off an illustrated printable map of the United States from Mr. Printables onto magnetic paper to make a “magnetic puzzle” of the US states for the magnetic board we bought from IKEA. The states aren’t drawn exactly, but their approximation is certainly good enough for a five year old. (Want a more realistic magnetic map puzzle? Make magnets out of actual maps.)

Our kid had such a good time putting this map together. Geography can be fun!

Spring Garden Plans

Spring has sprung here in Sonoma County: seventy degree days, bright sunshine, occasional showers.

Pear tree blooming in spring

Perfect gardening weather. Ideal weed growing conditions.

Weeds are taking over our garden

So we have begun the process of reclaiming the front yard at our new house from the past three months of neglect. What can I say? We’ve been focused on other things. (IMAGINE THAT!)

Weeds are taking over our garden

We have many hours of weeding and planting ahead of us.

We’re preparing one bed for veggies and herbs,

Weeds are taking over our garden

planting native grasses by the deck,

Keeping us company while we weed the garden

and transforming the middle bed into a…

Someone is very excited about her fairy meadow seeds

fairy garden!

Botanical Interests, may I congratulate you on your BRILLIANT marketing. Once our daughter saw “Fairy Meadow” all other seed mixes fell by the wayside. Who wouldn’t want their very own fairy garden?!

Fairy meadow seed packet

Now we’re just keeping our fingers crossed the seeds sprout since a five year old insists on being in charge of watering “her garden.” Stay tuned!