Reading The Swiss Family Robinson is the perfect excuse to learn some Swiss geography as well as other geographical terms and phrases. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Free Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.
We are creating a fantasy map with real geographical features to learn about them in a new and fun way.
The Robinsons ended up on their island as they were heading to a New Guinea colony to escape the Napoleonic Wars.
Their ship was abandoned by the crew in the midst of a wild storm and the family and a handful of animals managed to survive and end up in what is believed to be the East Indies.
Their island was filled with creatures, flora and fauna that was unknown to them.
And they had to band together to not only survive but thrive on their island.
It is an incredible story of survival, family, ingenuity, love, and adventure.
If you haven’t read it yet I cannot recommend enough making it a family read aloud experience.
The beauty of this is that as a read aloud it is a wonderful unit for a wide variety of ages and activities, like our map, can be adjusted for everyone to do at the same time.
The Swiss Family Robinson Book
8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson
Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.
More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.
Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.
The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.
From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.
Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge
By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!
Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.
Swiss Geography Study Ideas
There are many ways to learn about Swiss geography through hands-on activities.
There is never a need to pick up a pen to do it, and I have a lot of ideas here for you to turn this literature study into a geography lesson as well.
Choose one or multiples to add a unique dimension to your unit.
Find Switzerland on a world map.
Scrunch maps are a great easy item to keep on hand for locating countries.
- Locate the capital of Switzerland (Bern).
- Check out this entire Switzerland Homeschool Geography Unit Study (and Lapbook) with loads of great ideas for Swiss geography.
- Switzerland is made up of 3 geographic regions, The Alps making up about 58% of the country, the Central Plateau making up around 31, and the Jura ( mountain range) at 11%. Have your child identify each of these regions on a map, atlas, or even an online map.
- Research the largest body of water in Switzerland (Lake Geneva).
- Take a virtual tour of land locked Switzerland in Switzerland for Kids.
Create your own imaginary island with my fantasy map tutorial below, including topographical features like mountains, rivers, patches of trees, and bodies of water.
More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities
- Where Did Swiss Family Robinson Land And Their Unique Homes | Cave Activity
- From Switzerland to the Author of Swiss Family Robinson Quick Study
- How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids
- What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game
- How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks
- Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl
- The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas
- Embrace Island Life: How To Eat A Coconut Like Swiss Family Robinson
- Animals in The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Parrot Craft
- Lost In Adventure: 10 Books Like Swiss Family Robinson
- How to Build a LEGO Swiss Family Robinson STEM Challenge Treehouse
- Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book
- How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
- DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas
- Simple Candle
- Hunting Deer
- How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids
Finally, look how to make a Swiss Family Robinson map.
How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map
Even younger children can complete this activity by simplifying some of the steps.
It can be used as an opportunity to explain the difference in islands, peninsulas, archipelago and other land formations.
You will need:
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor paints
- Fine line pen
- Dry uncooked rice
First, on a sheet of watercolor paper pour handfuls of rice around the page, adding as little or as much as you like.
It creates more visual interest if you make larger and smaller piles.
Next, take a fine line pen and trace around the majority of the rice to create various-sized pieces of land.
How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map
You can trace around single pieces of loose rice or larger groupings.
I like to use these fine-line Sharpie permanent markers you don’t want to use regular markers because the water makes the marker bleed and blurs your edges.
How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map
Pour the rice off the page into a container to save for another project.
Give the pen a few minutes to dry and decide what colors you would like to use on your Island, I went for shades of tan and green.
Fill in the center of your land areas with your various colors using different opaqueness of watercolor paint to create interest and dimension.
Allow the paint to dry and then watercolor whatever shades of blue you would like around the outside of the land for water.
Go back and add more layers of color to the land if you would like to further define the areas for trees, mountains, sand and any other areas you want to create.
This will keep your mat from looking so flat.
Let the water and the rest of the page dry completely, this really doesn’t take long.
Once dry, retrace the outline of your map to make it a nice and dark outline.
Draw a small compass rose in the corner of your map.
I would say, “Now, here’s the fun part”, but to me every step of this process was really fun!
Begin by creating areas of mountains, trees, and other details on your map.
Upside down V’s make mountains.
Create little bushes like blobs for trees or make evergreens for forest patches.
We even sketched out a little hut and farmland.
To create a plot of farmland, make a square with 3 small lines in one direction and then another square with 3 small lines in the other direction, repeating until it is the size you want.
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