November 16-22 is celebrated as Geography Awareness Week, so I wanted to round up a few interactive maps, apps, and crafts to help your family explore more of the wonderful world of geography. My college degree and minor were in Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS — “map-making”), and I was lucky enough to work for 12 years in a career utilizing my degree in a field that I enjoyed so greatly before taking time off to stay home with my son.
Geography Crafts & Map Whimsy
Here are a few fun geography crafts ideas to help your toddler or pre-schooler start to think globally. You can find activities for older children through the National Geography website, or, as always, on Pinterest. A lot of ideas can be found on my Geography Awareness Week Crafts board, and I have some modern decor and map ideas for adults pinned on my Map Whimsy board, so check them out if you’re a map-lover like myself.
Shown above: You Mean the World to Me (freehand globe painting), My Place in the World, Create Your Own Compass, and DIY Coffee Filter Globe Garland
Treasure Maps, Geocaching, & Adventures Delivered
If doing crafts does not excite your child, have them make a map of their backyard, complete with locations of their fence, garden, ant hills, or other landmarks. Bury a small box with treasures and have them search for it. Take the family geocaching to learn more about orienteering while enjoying time outdoors. Bring objects from home to set aside in your own geocache and mark it online.
If you would like to make geography a routine part of your family’s life, I am a fan of Little Passports, a monthly subscription box company that features travel and global adventure themes. They have recently added an “Early Explorers” option for children aged 3-5, and I am thrilled to sign my toddler up soon. Little Passports also features a more-detailed USA Edition for children over 7 years, so make sure to browse their website to find the option that would best fit your little one’s age for learning more about the world.
Another one of my favorite brands is not a monthly shipment, but, even better yet, it is a quarterly delivery — Little Pnuts. They have recently launched their Travel Boxes and are perfect for children traveling via plane, train, or automobile. While there is not a specific travel-theme to these boxes (they’re designed to keep your kiddos occupied and interested while traveling), they do have a Transportation-themed box that my son would love. Check out all of their themes and boxes for your next family adventure.
Interactive Maps, Apps, and Trivia
If your child is a computer and iPad-lover, you can find recommended geo-apps and interactive maps through the National Geographic website. A list at BestAppsForKids features many cool games, and PadGadget lists several top apps for learning world geography. If your child or yourself loves trivia and geography, find out how you can host your own Geography Quiz Night. Be sure to include questions from the National Geographic Bee to challenge everyone! Secret confession: My husband and I like to nerd it up and try to beat each others’ high score on Country Flag and Country Capitals quiz apps.
Local Geography Happenings
If you know of a local event going on in town that is open to the public, or if you would like to share interesting crafts or activities your child is doing at home or at school this week, please share in the comments below. We would love to know!
