Homeschooling your children can be challenging, especially if you do not have a teaching degree. But it can also be one of the best ways to educate children, and it can be enriching, not to mention a great way to spend more quality time with your kids.
Like in a traditional school, parents who homeschool their children should devise various ways to make things interesting. If a student isn’t interested in a subject, chances are no teacher in the world will be able to teach them unless they find a way to get the student interested.
Geography is one of those subjects that is not always interesting for many students, and that can also be difficult for parents to teach. After all, if you haven’t traveled much, and if geography was never your strong subject, teaching it to your children isn’t going to be easy.
Luckily, fun and interesting activities will make teaching geography easier and more enjoyable for the children.
Today we will look at several different types of activities to teach geography that are both fun and interesting. Let’s get started.
Activities to Teach Geography
1. Hang Maps Just Like Posters
Many people are visual learners, so it only makes sense that they would use maps to learn about geography. With a map, it is easy to see where a particular city or country is, and it is a great learning tool. So, start hanging up maps in the teaching area of your home (or in your kids’ bedrooms if this is where they do their schooling).
You can even have maps in other parts of the home; they don’t have to look out of place. A framed map looks as good as any other artwork and is much more helpful.
Having maps in your home will be a great way to show your children your love of the world and help to instill that same appreciation in them. You can choose from framed maps, maps that are painted onto canvasses, dry-erase maps, and more.
2. Combine Art and Geography
Most children love arts and crafts, so why not turn geography into a fun arts and crafts session that involves learning? Simply get your children to start drawing their own maps. This is an activity that they will see as fun without even realizing just how much they are learning at the same time.
If your children are very young, start them out by getting them to draw a map of the street you live on. Older children can create maps that are much more widespread and in-depth. Make sure that they write down the names of the places on their maps.
It is okay if they try to copy another map rather than create their own. They are still drawing that map, and they will be retaining information about the places that are on the map.
3. Play with a Globe
A globe can be even more interactive than a printed map and fun for kids to play with while learning. The best type of globe is one that has raised surfaces. That way, children can feel the various parts of the world, such as mountainous areas, land masses, etc. This will help them to learn about how landscapes can vary.
Not only will your children be able to see what they are learning about, but they will also have something they can touch. This will help the learning process because they learn by sight and touch. Even if you can only get a small globe, it’s better than not having one.
4. Use Map Jigsaw Puzzles
Kids love jigsaw puzzles, and putting puzzles together can be a great way to learn about the world around them. Even smaller children can benefit from jigsaw puzzles, and puzzles for children of all ages are available.
You will find all kinds of geographic puzzles for students of all levels, including wooden puzzles with large pieces for smaller children.
While they are working on the puzzles, you can quiz them about what they are doing. For instance, have them tell you what each puzzle piece represents. For example, one piece could be one country.
Get them to name the country, and then teach them about that country while they are working on placing the puzzle piece.
5. Make the Most of iPad Games and Apps
There are many fun iPad games and apps that can be used as teaching aids, including those that involve geography. For instance, your children could play “Stack the States” and “Stack the Countries.” Both games teach about recognizing the shapes of states and countries, where they are located, capitals, etc.
While younger children may not be able to read what is on the apps, let the older ones do that while you play with, the younger children by reading the questions to them and helping them to come up with the correct answers.
Chances are your children are already playing games on their phones or tablets, so it only makes sense that you have them use their technology for learning games.
6. Take Advantage of Tools from National Geographic
Did you know National Geographic has many articles about teaching children about maps and geography? You can print off maps and even select the landmarks you teach your children about. There is even an option that allows you to draw arrows or circles right on the maps, so you can point to what you are teaching.
This is a great way to teach children about certain things, such as the locations of bodies of water, mountain ranges, cities that aren’t capitals, etc. It is also an excellent way to test your children’s knowledge. Print out blank maps and have them color the various areas, write down country names, and more.
7. Discuss Current Events
While watching the news isn’t ideal for younger children, it is smart to start discussing world events with them as soon as they understand what you are discussing. Sure, there are some things in the news that children just shouldn’t see, but you can filter items, so they only see the news you think they are ready to learn about.
The more children learn about what is happening around them, the easier it will be for them to learn about the world, including its geography. For instance, let’s say you are discussing a war in a particular part of the world.
You can talk about the laws and customs in this area, why the war is taking place, landmarks that may be destroyed, etc. Not only will they be learning about geography, but they will also be learning about world politics and other issues.
8. More Arts and Crafts with 3D Maps
Here is another fun arts and crafts activity ideal for learning about geography. Get your kids to make their own topographical 3D maps. There are all kinds of ways to do this. For example, you can make salt dough and then let them sculpt their own 3D maps. Once the dough has hardened, they can paint the maps appropriately.
You can also use cookie dough, and Rice Krispy treats to sculpt maps, and the best part is, once the learning is done for the day, the maps can be eaten! Icing, candies, and other cake-decorating items can create various geographic features, including rivers, cities, and more.
Another option is to use regular modeling clay. Sure, they can’t eat their creations, but who doesn’t love playing with modeling clay? If you use air-dry clay, it will harden, and they will have their maps forever. Or you can use polymer clay and bake it in the oven.
9. Build a Diorama
Like most adults, you probably save boxes because they are “good boxes” you might be able to use again someday. Well, eventually has finally arrived! Let your children use those boxes to create dioramas that feature world geography. This excellent learning tool allows children to get creative and have fun while learning.
They can use building blocks to create cities, cut out magazine pictures, and stick them inside the boxes. This is an ideal way to teach children about various landmarks, features, etc., and they will have something to refer to later. They will also be proud they made it themselves and had fun doing it.
10. Have Costume Days
Children love dressing up in costumes, so why save them for Halloween only? Get your kids to design their own costumes based on the traditional dress of people from around the globe. Not only will they be learning about geography, but they will also be learning about the traditions of people who live in the countries they are studying.
This is a teaching tool that allows for many types of learning opportunities, including things that are no longer taught in school. They will learn to follow patterns and maybe even sew (a skill everyone should know the basics of). If you are not a sewer, ask a friend or family member who does sew if they can help with these projects.
11. Give Them a Cooking Class
Another fun and interesting way for children to learn about geography is by cooking foods from various countries. So, get them to look for recipes they might enjoy making and eating, and then help them prepare these dishes. While cooking, you teach them about the ingredients’ origins, the traditions surrounding the dishes, and more.
Again, cooking is not always taught in schools these days, so you will also teach your children some valuable life skills they will eventually need. They will be learning about the world and how to cook for themselves. Don’t forget to teach them how to clean up the kitchen when they are finished!
Conclusion
These are just a few ways to teach children about geography. Many parents worry that if they don’t have teaching degrees, they won’t be able to provide their children with the proper education through homeschooling.
You don’t need to have a degree. You just need to find ways of teaching that will interest your children. If you can make learning fun, they will always be eager to learn more. Then, you will know that you have done your job right.