9 Creative Ways to Explore the World

Though maps are the first thing I typically think of when I hear the word, "geography," did you know that Geography entails SO MUCH MORE??  Using/ reading maps is just the "tip of the iceberg."  Geography encompasses people, culture, landforms, etc etc. Geography is learning about the world in which we live, which is a BIG BIG place!

Hands-on Geography Activities

The world in which we live, is so vast-- so much bigger than the street on which we live.  Have you ever wondered how you can get your child to grasp and understand such intangible concepts-- I mean, we cannot just hop on a plane and visit France... walk alongside tribes in Africa... or explore the icy cold continent of Antarctica.

Where is Ms. Frizzle when you need her! Ha!

Well to make Geography more interactive than simply staring  and pointing at a huge, complicated-looking map, here are some fun links to get your child discovering the world he/ she lives in!

Start with YOU!

• Me on the Map Activities (Round Up) @ Living Montessori Now
• Me on the Map Nesting Cans @ Teach Beside Me

Make Your Own!

• Mapping your Neighboorhood @ Naturally Educational
• Mapping a Nature Hike @ Naturally Educational
• World Map Felt Board @ Teach Beside Me
• Make Your Own Map with Sponge Houses @ Teach Preschool

Read!

• Picture Books about Maps @ Naturally Educational
• Booking Across the USA@ Growing Book by Book
• Multicultural Book List @ No Time for Flashcards

Find It!

• Where in the World is Your Food From? @ KidsWorldCitizen
• Map Your Summer Reading @ KCEdventures

Eat!

• Bake up some cookie maps @ Creekside Learning
• Pizza Flags @ Tiny Urban Kitchen
• Eat & Learn with Around the World in 12 Dishes @ Educator's Spin On It!

Create!

• Bring out the playdough like Teach Beside Me in their A to Z Geography studies
• Salt dough landforms @ Angels of Heart
• Create Global Art @ School Time Snippets

Raise the Flag! 

• Flag People @ Sorting Sprinkles
• Learn Why Countries Have Flags @ Mommy Labs
• Flag Mosaic @ Max & Ellie
• Create a Trip Around the World Flag Garland @ School Time Snippets

Move!

• Global Twister @ Cultivated Lives
• Continent Hop @ Spell Out Loud

Get Specific!

• Exploring Geography Round Up @ Mama Smiles-- Want to learn about Chicago, Scotland, Costa Rica, Canada, etc. etc.... check out this amazing roundup!!
• Christmas Around the World @ 123 Homeschool 4 Me
• Project Around the World E-book Series @ Creative Family Fun; check out New York City for free at TPT.
• Check out the blog, Kid World Citizen for more "activities that help young minds go global"

Have fun exploring the fun of Geography with these great links!