Colorful engaging geography childrens books are a fun and memorable way to teach them all about locations and their characteristics. Look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more ideas.
But don’t think only preschoolers can benefit from picture books.
And be sure to show the younger ones more complex maps, mix it up and provide them with a mix of books to learn all about geography from.
The word Geography comes from the Greek word geo which means earth and graphy which means a writing or description.
It is the study of the physical features of the Earth.
Also, it’s a study of the atmosphere, and water.
Teaching Geography to Multiple Ages
It is learning about the 50 states and their capitals, the oceans, and what an island or physical map is.
Typically, upper elementary is when you begin more formal geography lessons starting with US geography and then moving onto the world in middle school.
However, I am a big believer in at least introducing the concept to your child from preschool years on through exploration, beautiful picture books, globes, games, and more.
With a great selection of maps, globes, games, apps and of course most importantly books you can teach geography without even using a curriculum.
Children can learn more than just how to read a map, immersing them in learning about languages, landforms, government, and cultures.
Early on kids desire to learn about their place in the world and how they fit into it.
This easy me on the map project helps make that wonder a little more tangible by showing how a smaller (but complete unto itself) object fits into a larger one.
For example, your neighborhood is in a city, that city is within a state, and that state is part of a country, that is part of a continent, and that continent is on planet earth.
You can leave your book with just the location labels or let your child get creative by writing words or drawing pictures that represent each one.
Geography Activities for Kids
First, look at more homeschool geography activities for kids.
- 11 AWESOME Ways to Learn Geography (Other Than Labeling a Map)
- 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
- Navigating the Perfect Present: 22 Gifts for Geography Lovers
- 5 Ways to Raise a Natural Geography Lover Easily
- 22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
- 3 Reasons Hands-on Geography is Important in Middle and High School Homeschool
- How to Make Paper Mache Mountains to Celebrate Chimborazo Day
- STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
- Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
- Hands-On Geography: Australia Awesome and Deadly Animal Art
- Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study
- Hands-on Geography Wool Earth Craft to Celebrate Earth Day
- Hands-On Geography Activity: Make a Pangaea Puzzle
- How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
10 Geography Children’s Books
Next, look at these fun geography children’s books which bring geography to life.
Add one or two your home library.
10 Geography Children's Books
I have a list of some of my favorite books for different ages, locations, and styles to help you choose a few to add to your library.
In 51 charmingly illustrated infographic maps, explore every state of the USA from Alabama to Wyoming and the nation’s capital to discover more than 2,000 facts that celebrate the people, cities, nature, and historic events that have helped make America what it is today. You'll also get an expansive guide to the state flags and US presidents. Ghost towns, swamp tours, the center of the universe…bacon donuts, brainy berries, salmon jerky…The French Fry King, The Mother of Oregon, The Queen of Blues…be inspired by the inventiveness, beauty, and diversity of the United States in this curious collection of fact-filled maps.
For curious kids, this is the chance to embark on the journey of a lifetime—and see how faraway countries have more in common than you might expect! Hopscotch from country to country in a chain of connecting attractions: Explore Mexico’s glittering cave of crystals, then visit the world’s largest cave in Vietnam. Peer over a 355-foot waterfall in Zambia, then learn how Antarctica’s Blood Falls got their mysterious color. Or see mysterious mummies in Japan and France, then majestic ice caves in both Argentina and Austria.
From the map experts at National Geographic comes the sixth edition of the award-winning Student World Atlas―the best resource ever for middle and high school students to become informed global citizens.This latest edition, created with the help of a geography educator, has everything kids want and need to know about our changing world. Dynamic, user-friendly content includes stunning photos, fascinating facts, charts, graphics, and full-color political, physical, and thematic maps on important topics. This edition includes:
•New thematic maps for every continent
•New and updated infographics
•Updated maps and statistics
Travel the world without leaving your living room.
This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations from the incomparable Mizielinskis. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants, cultural events, and many more fascinating facts associated with every region of our planet.
From North America's mountains to Africa's deserts, this book will help kids learn the locations of states, countries, and continents around the world. They will also learn about the features that make up each region, including:
- What's growing in the Amazon Rainforest;
- The longest river in the world - the Nile in Africa;
- The "frozen Ts" of Asia - the tundra and the taiga;
- Shelves of ice in Antarctica;
- The uniqueness of the Australian Outback;
- And more!
With exciting puzzles and activities, this book is a great tool for teachers and parents who want to make learning fun for kids. Before long, young readers will be reading maps and navigating tough terrain like bona fide geographers!
Welcome to Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary by B.C. Lester Books! This book takes you across the world's main landforms and biomes, each with a colorful illustration accompanied with a child-friendly definition.
What is a mesa? Or an estuary? What is the difference between a swamp and a marsh?
Covering over 100 geography terms, this book has all the answers! This book is a great, concise introduction to the natural features of Earth for children and is a nice way to spark or develop an interest in geography for kids.
Exciting World Travel activities for kids with continents, flags, animals, landmarks, cities and more.
Welcome to World Geography: The Activity Book For Kids Aged 4-8 by B.C. Lester Books! Our activity book is perfect for kids who love geography or travel! This book features a range of drawings including maps, flags animals, landscapes, landmarks, cities, animals over a range of activities that includes coloring pages, color by number, mazes, wordsearches, dot-to-dot and spot the difference. Let their creativity run wild!
Help your kids to be the best in their geography class. This book will help you to understand what they’re being taught so you can answer all their geography questions. This book is what every frustrated parent needs. Its innovative approach combines colorful diagrams and illustrations with step-by-step explanations, making geography easier to understand than ever before.
Take a tour of America's great outdoors and discover the beauty and diversity of its most iconic and majestic national parks. *A 2019 Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students: K–12 (National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council)* Packed with maps and fascinating facts about the flora and fauna unique to each of the 21 parks portrayed, this lushly illustrated coast-to-coast journey documents in large format the nation’s most magnificent and sacred places—and shows why they should be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Pack your bags and let’s go on an action-packed tour around the world with this geography book for kids!
On the adventure, you’ll travel back in time to see how the continents have evolved, marvel at incredible geographical features, see the world's cities and landmarks, and admire incredible wildlife. The unique children’s atlas brings the Earth into your living room:
• Each map brings an instant understanding of both the subject and its spatial distribution.
• Every spread features a key that supports the main map to give a richer understanding of the topic.
• Extra panels develop the map’s subject, offering new angles into the topic or providing background information.
Now that you have a big selection of books to choose from, grab some construction paper and let’s get going with today’s activity.
This project, while very simple, introduces not only the concept of me in the world or on the map but also demonstrates other skills.
For example, how to use a compass to create circles of different sizes, build fine motor skills through that as well as cutting, and allows your child to be creative with what they are learning.
Easy Me On The Map Project
You will need:
- 6 colors of construction paper
- Compass with pencil
- Scissors
- Markers or Crayons
- Hole punch
- Brad
First, begin making circles by using a compass to draw one on each color of construction paper, making them ½” larger each time.
If you don’t have a compass at hand, you can use bowls and cups of varying sizes to trace.
When you have all your circles lay them on top of each other, with all the excess at the bottom and holes punch through all of them at the top at the same time so it lines up nicely.
Write along the bottom edge in order from smallest to largest.
- My neighborhood,
- my city,
- my state,
- my country,
- my continent, and
- my planet.
Now, the fun part, let your child draw or write things about each place on the corresponding circle. Challenge older kids to do more, let younger kids draw simple pictures.
Finally, place your brand through the holes of your “book” and open the tabs, the book can now lie stacked or spread out to see everything.
