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homeschoolgeography

Explorer Facts and Free Printable Meet the Explorers Activity

July 20, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Your kids will learn some explorer facts with the free printable Discovering the World Meet the Explorers Activity Pack. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more ideas.

Geography comes alive when children discover the incredible people who dared to sail into the unknown, map uncharted lands, and change the way we see the world.

Explorer Facts and Free Printable Meet the Explorers Activity

Reading books is a fun way to learn about famous explorers, but completing engaging activities helps children connect with the people behind the discoveries.

They can learn about explorers like Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Marco Polo, Vasco da Gama, Samuel de Champlain, James Cook, and many others by including them with this study.

Also, we love adding living books to our printables to make the subject come to life.

GEOGRAPHY LIVING BOOKS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

Too, with a fun geography living book and a few printables your child can learn independently.

Some children are ready for independent learning earlier than others. So a fun set of printables alongside a geography living book nurtures your child’s love for independence.

13 Geography Living Books

Add some of these living geography books to your home library. All ages will love them.

Image for Paddle-to-the-Sea: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner (Sandpiper Books)

Paddle-to-the-Sea: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner (Sandpiper Books)

Follow the journey of a little turtle through all the great lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, not only covering; landforms but also dipping into science, and uses figurative language to help children think and understand the story better.

Image for Seabird: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Seabird: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

A carved Ivory Gull tells of oceans all over the world and three generations of sailing families in America. 

Image for How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

In more of a story book fashion we are led around the world to gather ingredients from all over to make an apple pie and it even includes a simple recipe for an apple pie.

Image for Tree in the Trail

Tree in the Trail

The history of the Great Plains and the Santa Fe Trail is told in text and pictures by focusing on a cottonwood tree and the events that happen around it.

Image for Complete Book Of Marvels

Complete Book Of Marvels

Explore the wonders of the world with America's foremost adventurer, Richard Halliburton. In the Complete Book of Marvels Halliburton takes you with him on thrilling journeys to countless wonders of the world, including natural features like Gibraltar, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Fuji, and famous or forgotten temples and ancient cities, and monuments bigger than life. He follows in the footsteps of Demetrius and traverses the Great Wall.

Replete with historical facts, maps, and a treasure trove of unique restored photographs of both well-known and hidden wonders, Halliburton journeys with the reader by his side to reveal the beauty and mystery of the world's greatest sights as if for the very first time. As a youth Richard Halliburton dreamt of seeing the many mysterious lands and exotic locales beyond the horizon, and by the time he was a teenager he set out to do just that. During his life, his voyages took him to an enormous variety of truly marvelous places, from familiar American landmarks to the far reaches of the globe.

Image for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe

Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe

This fascinating look at 16 children’s neighborhoods around the world broadens readers’ understanding of global cultures. This unique illustrated map book explores the neighborhoods of 16 real children from around the world. Author Margriet Ruurs, who met many of these children in her travels, tells the story of each child’s neighborhood by highlighting the places that are important to them, such as where they live, go to school and play, as well as interesting facts about their lives, including the food they eat, their religious practices and the sights and smells they encounter every day. From big cities, such as Amsterdam and Beijing, to small communities, such as Salt Spring Island in Canada and the village of Komanyana in Zambia, each place is special to the children who live there.

Image for Minn of the Mississippi: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

Minn of the Mississippi: A Newbery Honor Award Winner

The history of the Mississippi River Valley is told in text and pictures through the adventures of Minn, a snapping turtle, as she travels downstream.

Image for National Parks of the USA (Americana, 1)

National Parks of the USA (Americana, 1)

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. Explore Florida's river-laced Everglades, travel down the white water rapids of the Grand Canyon, trek across the deserts of Death Valley, and scale the soaring summits of the Rocky Mountains with this book that brings you up close to nature's greatest adventures. Divided by region (East, Central, Rocky Mountains, West, Tropics, and Alaska), a pictographic map at the start of each section shows the locations of the parks to be covered. Each park is introduced by a stunning, poster-worthy illustration of one of its scenes and a summary of its makeup, followed by individual illustrations of the animals and plants that make their homes there.

Image for Strawberry Girl by: Lois Lenski

Strawberry Girl by: Lois Lenski

Strawberries -- big, ripe, and juicy. Ten-year-old Birdie Boyer can hardly wait to start picking them. But her family has just moved to the Florida backwoods, and they haven't even begun their planting. Don't count your biddies 'fore they're hatched, gal young un! her father tells her.

Image for Wow Canada!: Exploring This Land from Coast to Coast to Coast (Wow Canada! Collection)

Wow Canada!: Exploring This Land from Coast to Coast to Coast (Wow Canada! Collection)

The multi-award-winning Wow Canada! has steadily wowed readers with its original, witty, and fabulously informative cross-country excursion. This thoroughly updated edition is filled with amazing facts, historical wonders, and descriptions, photos, and illustrations of Canada's most famous sights and hidden gems — it's the perfect accessory for that family car trip across Canada. Eleven-year-old Guy and his family travel from province to province —and even up to Canada’s territories! Guy is the ideal narrator, curious but cool and always armed with a wry comment. Incredible sidebar material offers moments of respite from the family’s high-speed travels, making Wow Canada! both the perfect car trip guidebook and a fantastic armchair travel book.

Image for How the States Got Their Shapes

How the States Got Their Shapes

Why does Oklahoma have that panhandle? Did someone make a mistake?

We are so familiar with the map of the United States that our state
borders seem as much a part of nature as mountains and rivers. Even the oddities—the entire state of Maryland(!)—have become so ingrained that our map might as well be a giant jigsaw puzzle designed by Divine Providence. How the States Got Their Shapes is the first book to tackle why our state lines are where they are. Here are the stories behind the stories, right down to the tiny northward jog at the eastern end of Tennessee and the teeny-tiny (and little known) parts of Delaware that are not attached to Delaware but to New Jersey.

Image for A Child's Geography of the World

A Child's Geography of the World

A Child's Geography of the World is a general course in geography for juveniles. Hillyer was headmaster at the famed Calvert School and wrote a series of books as part of the curriculum for his students. This title was the result of many years of teaching the subject to young children and of several more years in authoring it. The books is now considered in a classic in home schooling.

Image for Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids

Geography: An Illustrated A-Z Glossary: An Introduction To Earth's Geographical Features For Kids

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 acWelcome 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 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.

Next, look at these other geography activities for kids.

MORE GEOGRAPHY AND EXPLORER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

  • The Ultimate Guide to Brave Explorers (Great and Small)
  • Explore the World: Free Continent Printables to Color by Number
  • Free The New Seven Wonders of the World Worksheet
  • Free The World Of Columbus And Sons Lapbook For Kids Who Love Hands-On Learning
  • How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA
  • The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft
  • 12 Free & Unique Geography Resource History Makers Pages
  • History Makers Notebooking Pages – Famous Persons from Ancient to Modern – Set 2
  • 18+ Fun and Interactive Ways to Learn Geography With Kids
  • 22 Homeschool Geography Go To Resources
  • The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States
  •  Marco Polo Unit Study and Lapbook 1254 to 1324.
  • Fun Outdoor Activities For Middle Schoolers Geocaching and Nature Study
  • Hands-on Geography: Longitude/Latitude Mapmaking Activity
  • How to Make An Edible Geography Model of Tidal Zones
Explorer Facts and Free Printable Meet the Explorers Activity

Next, look at the explorers included in this free activity pack download.

  • Christopher Columbus
  • Vasco De Gama
  • Marco Polo
  • Prince Henry the Navigator
  • Bartolomeu Dias
  • Robert Falcon Scott
  • Sally Ride and
  • David Livingstone

HOW TO GET THE FREE DISCOVERING THE WORLD MEET THE EXPLORERS ACTIVITY PACK

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 1. My FREE Learning Printables {Any Topic} Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, highschoolgeography, homeschool, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia Free Map Template & Salt Dough Map Craft

April 14, 2026 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re doing a hands-on geography Mesopotamia fun salt dough map. Also, look at my page Ancient Mesopotamia Fun Facts For Kids Who Love History for more hands-on history ideas. And I have a free printable map of the Middle East and Mesopotamia template you can download below.

Teaching your homeschoolers about ancient civilizations should be engaging and fun. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia Free Map Template & Salt Dough Map Craft

After all, there is so much to learn about how we humans came together, created society, and learned to use tools to make our lives better.

Every society in history is fascinating to study, but if you want to start at the beginning, Mesopotamia is the place.

According to Merry E. Weisner in Discovering the Western Past, historians and archaeologists define a city as “a place inhabited by more than 5,000 people.” The remains of the earliest communities of this size can be found in ancient Mesopotamia.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA

Next, look at a few books about Mesopotamia.

We prefer living books when we can find them.

7 Books to Read About Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a region situated within the Tigris–Euphrates River system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq.  In the broader sense, the historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey.

Image for Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh the King (The Gilgamesh Trilogy)

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help.

Image for The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

The Golden Bull: A Mesopotamian Adventure

5,000 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia during a terrible drought, Jomar and Zefa's father must send his children away to the city of Ur because he can no longer feed them. At fourteen, Jomar is old enough to apprentice with Sidah, a master goldsmith for the temple of the moongod, but there is no place for Zefa in Sidah's household. Zefa, a talented but untrained musician, is forced to play her music and sing for alms on the streets of Ur.

Image for Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Science in Ancient Mesopotamia

Describes the enormous accomplishments of the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia in every scientific area, a heritage which affects our own everyday lives

Image for Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians

Explores Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures, discussing social structure, lifestyles, and the military in these societies.

Image for Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq

Lugalbanda woke with a jolt. He opened his eyes and what did he see but the terrible Anzu bird beating its wings in its nest high above. . . . Did he quake? Did he quail? No. Lugalbanda the Brave sat and stared, and into his head came a brilliant idea.

Image for Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Mesopotamia (A True Book)

Presents the history of ancient Mesopotamia, describing the different groups of people who lived there, and their government, cities, everyday life, religion, and writing.

Image for You Wouldn't Want to Be a Sumerian Slave!

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Sumerian Slave!

Invites readers them to become the main character. Each book uses humorous illustrations to depict the sometimes dark and horrific side of life during important eras in history.

HANDS-ON GEOGRAPHY MESOPOTAMIA

Mesopotamia, located in what is now southern Iraq, has been called the cradle of the human race. It is considered by many to be the birthplace of western civilization.

Its location between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers is to blame. In fact, Mesopotamia means “the land between the rivers.” The rivers originate in the Armenian Highlands of Eastern Turkey and empty into the Persian Gulf.

The valley between these two long rivers had rich soil capable of producing abundant crops which could sustain an early civilization.

Believe it or not, the region got very little rain even in ancient times.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map. Studying Ancient Civilizations doesn’t have to be boring. Your kids will love this EASY hands-on geography.

The soil was enriched with silt each spring when the rivers flooded due to snow melt in the upland mountains where the rivers began.

The problem was that the rivers flooded with the snow melt and the times and amounts were unpredictable.

As rich as the soil was, it couldn’t be farmed unless people could control the flooding.

They came up with a large-scale system of water control that included irrigation and drainage ditches, making it possible to grow crops on a regular basis.

The resulting abundance of food enabled large numbers of people to live together and create a civilization.

HANDS-ON ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

Sometimes it’s hard for kids to get a grasp on a place that existed 5,000 years ago. It sounds made-up and is hard to picture in the real, modern world. Learning about Mesopotamia should include all the cool facts, like the ziggurats that housed holy temples, the Code of Hammurabi, and cuneiform–the world’s oldest writing system.

But you should also make sure they understand exactly where it is. Maps will help, but creating a hands-on experience will help even more.

Hands-on learning is the best learning. When your kids engage in kinesthetic activities while you’re teaching them with auditory or visual methods, they can retain the information better.

In other words, the more ways you engage them in a lesson, the more they’ll remember what they’ve learned.

Especially when you’re dealing with something for which they can’t get a true visual (like the geography of an ancient civilization), giving them a hands-on activity to do can help them wrap their minds around the lesson.

SALT-DOUGH MAP OF MESOPOTAMIA

Help your kids get a visual of Mesopotamia and remember where it is with this fun activity. Make sure you have some books or other materials for them to learn from along with their map-making.

What you need:

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • A map of Mesopotamia for reference
  • Printable Map of Modern-Day Middle East (instantly download below by adding your email below)
  • Printable Mesopotamia template (instantly download below by adding your email below)
  • Laminator and laminating sheets (optional)
  • Tape
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • Blue, green, white, and brown craft or tempera paint
  • Paint brushes
  • Plastic knife

What you do:

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Print Map of Modern-Day Middle East: In printer properties change multiple page function to “1 in 2×2 pages.” (This will allow your printer to print a larger map on 4 pages.) Or enlarge the map 200% on a copier
  • Laminate map pieces (optional)
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Tape map pieces together
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl
  • Add water slowly, stirring as you go
  • Mix until it resembles play dough–if it’s too sticky, add a bit more flour
  • Knead the dough for a couple of minutes till it’s easy to work with
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Roll it out on a floured surface
  • Print and Cut out template of Mesopotamia and use it to shape salt dough, cutting away excess with plastic knife
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Use the back of the plastic knife to trace the rivers onto the salt dough
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Remove the template and deepen the river outlines in the salt dough with the back of the plastic knife; paint them blue
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Use extra salt dough to add Armenian Highlands at the north end, keeping the flow of the rivers going through them; paint tips white and bases brown
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Use finger tips to thin dough between rivers into a valley and paint valley green
  • Allow to dry several days or dry quickly in oven by covering loosely with foil and baking 20 minutes at 250F
Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map
  • Place your salt dough Mesopotamia on your map whenever you’re learning about the ancient civilization

Mesopotamia Geography

If you want your kids to get an even deeper experience of the geography of Mesopotamia, try these ideas:

  • Label the rivers on your salt dough map
  • Use black paint to make dots on your salt dough map that represent the cities of Mesopotamia (Babylon, Uruk, Ur, Eridu, Nineveh, and Susa)
  • Use white or another color to paint the borders of the 3 regions of Mesopotamia on your salt dough map (Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer)

Fun, useful, and memorable, this activity is sure to help your kids remember where Mesopotamia was and the topography that made it possible.

Hands-on Geography Mesopotamia: Fun Salt Dough Map. Studying Ancient Civilizations doesn’t have to be boring. Your kids will love this EASY hands-on geography.

And also we love hands-on history activities from Home School in the Woods. Be sure to look over their beautiful timeline materials.

Now, how to grab the freebie.  It’s a subscriber freebie.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE PRINTABLE MAP OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND MESOPOTAMIA TEMPLATE

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

You’ll love these other hands-on activities:

  • Hands-on History Activities for Learning about Ancient Civilizations
  • Marco Polo Unit Study – Salt Dough Map + Free Printable Map Flags 
  • South America Geography Salt Dough Map + Printable Pennants
  • Arctic Region Salt Dough Map + Free Map Flag Printable

Written by KT of Lit Mama Homeschool

1 CommentFiled Under: Ancient Civilizations, Geography, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based Tagged With: ancient civilizations, geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolgeography, mesopotamia, salt dough map

6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men – Explorers of the West

March 13, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing six mountain men unit study resources. Also, look at my page BEST Westward Ho Unit Study and Lapbook for more resources.

Whether you’re studying about the American Frontier, fur trade or living off the grid, you’ll bring history alive through studying the tough life of mountain men.

Today, I rounded up six unit study resources to grab for a unit study. Besides explorers and fur traders, they were some of America’s first trail blazers.

6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men - Explorers of the West

These rugged adventurers lived in the wilderness, exploring forests, rivers, and snowy mountain ranges. Their lives were full of adventure, danger, and discovery.

They were explorers and fur trappers who lived in the western parts of North America during the early 1800s. They traveled through places like the Rocky Mountains, where few settlers had gone before.

BOOKS ABOUT MOUNTAIN MEN FOR KIDS

Next, look at some fun books to read about their life.

5 Mountain Men Books

Whether you’re learning about mountain men for the day or want to create a unit study, add a book or two to your home library.

Image for Mountain Men: True Grit and Tall Tales

Mountain Men: True Grit and Tall Tales

In 1804, Lewis and Clark set out to find the fabled Northwest Passage to the Pacific, mounting the first expedition across the uncharted territory of President Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase. Though they never found the nonexistent Northwest Passage-or the lost tribes of Israel, rumored to be living in the Great American Desert-they did discover that the entire region west of the Mississippi was swarming with beaver. And so began the American fur trade, as the first tough trappers headed out to make their fortunes in beaver pelts.

Image for My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain

Twelve-year-old Sam Gribley is terribly unhappy living in his family’s crowded New York City apartment. One day—armed with just a penknife, a ball of red cord, forty dollars, some flint and steel, and the clothes on his back—he decides to run away to his grandfather’s abandoned farm in the Catskill Mountains, to live in the woods all by
himself. There, Sam must rely on his own ingenuity and the resources of the great outdoors to survive, as he discovers a side of himself he never knew existed.

Image for Dan Frontier

Dan Frontier

The books follow Dan Frontier, a pioneer who protects settlers, rescues friends from dangers like wolves and wildcats, and interacts with Native Americans on the early American frontier

Image for Grizzly Killer: The Making of a Mountain Man

Grizzly Killer: The Making of a Mountain Man

When Zach Connors and his pa left their Kentucky homestead in the summer of 1824 to see the Rocky Mountains, he didn’t realize he would never see his childhood home again or that he would find love, friendship, fame, and a new home in this wild and harsh wilderness. After a grizzly kills his pa, Zach struggles to survive a cold and brutal winter alone. After killing a rouge grizzly and fighting hostile Indians on his own, he becomes known as Grizzly Killer and is respected throughout the West. Along with his dog, Jimbo, whom the Indians call the Great Medicine Dog, he finds Running Wolf, an injured Ute warrior, and together they fight off a hostile war party. They rescue two Shoshone sisters from the brutality of a French trapper and take them as wives. After Zach saves Running Wolf’s beautiful sister, Shining Star, he is expected to take her as a second wife, but his Christian beliefs conflict with the Indian traditions, and he struggles within himself to
accept the Indian ways

Image for The Mountain Men: The Dramatic History And Lore Of The First Frontiersmen

The Mountain Men: The Dramatic History And Lore Of The First Frontiersmen

To know how the West was really won, start with the exploits of these unsung mountain men who, like the legendary Jeremiah Johnson, were real buckskin survivalists. Preceded only by Lewis and Clark, beaver fur trappers roamed the river valleys and mountain ranges of the West, living on fish and game, fighting or trading with the Native Americans, and forever heading toward the untamed wilderness.

TRAILBLAZERS

This guide Trappers, Traders, and Trailblazers: Mountain Men in the Rocky Mountain West is a great start to dive into learning about mountain men.

Next, this super helpful free teacher’s guide about the beaver is chock full of information.

It has a unit on fur trade, mountain men lifestyle, and legends of the mountain men. Look below at the expansive unit for a unit on fur trade and lifestyle.

And even though it mentions items in a trunk, it’s really helpful in understanding artifacts and every day items used by mountain men.

Read about the items they used and a few them look like they could be easily made.

This next fun guide talks about the importance of being able to identify animal tracks along with the animal tracks labeled. Click here for Tracking” Down the Secret Code / North American Animal “Who am I”

It has a handwritten letter which is a primary source and a lesson about beavers.

Hands-on History and Geography

More units like the Language of a Trapper, Rendezvous, Mountain Man Tales, and Indian Wives of the Mountain Men are a few of the fun and interesting units in this expansive unit.

6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men - Explorers of the West

This is an interesting read for your middle or high school kid. While it doesn’t have pictures, it’s the diary of Jedediah Strong Smith, a mountain men. It describes the perils he faced each day.

Lastly, this link Mountain Man Artifact Kit has a lot of background information about the fur trade and the ways of the mountain men.

Download them and add to them a unit study about geography or use them for a mini unit study.

6 Unit Study Resources: Mountain Men - Explorers of the West

Also, you’ll like my posts:

  • 30 Fun Resources for Learning About Daniel Boone
  • Westward Ho! Lapbook {Time period we covered 1803 to 1890}
  • 100 Oregon Trail Homeschool History Resources

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Geography, Geography Based, Hands-On Activities, History Based, History Resources Tagged With: explorers, frontier, geography, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, history, history resources, homeschoolgeography, mountain men, unit studies, westward expansion, westwardho

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

February 18, 2026 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Let’s take a tour of the landmarks of USA to explore our country. I have a fun tutorial to recreate a mini Mount Rushmore art piece. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

When we think about the United States, it’s not just dates in history books or names of presidents that we remember- it’s the places that bring those stories to life.

From the towering Statue of Liberty greeting newcomers in New York Harbor, to the sweeping views of the Grand Canyon, to the shining steel of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, landmarks remind us of the struggles, dreams, and triumphs that shaped our nation.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

For homeschool families, studying landmarks is a wonderful way to make history hands-on. Landmarks connect geography, civics, art, and culture all in one lesson. Kids can point them out on a map, learn the events or people behind them, and then bring their knowledge to life with a creative project.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in the country is Mount Rushmore, carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Featuring the faces of four presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—this monument stands as a symbol of leadership and American history.

By learning about Mount Rushmore and recreating it with air-dry clay, students will not only discover the story of the presidents but also gain an appreciation for the artistry and engineering behind the landmark itself.

Remember, this project is less about developing your child’s professional sculpting skills and more about learning. We had more than a few laughs with our attempt at recreating the presidents.

BOOKS FOR KIDS ABOUT FAMOUS USA LANDMARKS

First, look at some books to use with your lesson todays.

10 Books About Famous U.S.A. Landmarks

Landmarks tell stories from the past. Kids learn about ancient civilizations, wars, inventions, and important people.

Image for Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty

Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty

On America's 100th birthday, the people of France built a giant gift! It was one of the largest statues the world had ever seen -- and she weighed as much as 40 elephants! And when she arrived on our shores in 250 pieces, she needed a pedestal to hold her up. Few of America's millionaires were willing to foot the bill.

Image for Pop's Bridge

Pop's Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge. The impossible bridge, some call it. They say it can't be built. But Robert's father is building it. He's a skywalker--a brave, high-climbing ironworker. Robert is convinced his pop has the most important job on the crew . . . until a frightening event makes him see that it takes an entire team to accomplish the impossible. When it was completed in 1937, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was hailed as an international marvel. Eve Bunting's riveting story salutes the ingenuity and courage of every person who helped raise this majestic American icon. Includes an author's note about the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Image for Grand Canyon: (Caldecott Honor Book)

Grand Canyon: (Caldecott Honor Book)

Rivers wind through earth, cutting down and eroding the soil for millions of years, creating a cavity in the ground 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep known as the Grand Canyon.Home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals that have lived and evolved within its walls for millennia, the Grand Canyon is much more than just a hole in the ground. Follow a father and daughter as they make their way through the cavernous wonder, discovering life both present and past. Weave in and out of time as perfectly placed die cuts show you that a fossil today was a creature much long ago, perhaps in a completely different environment. Complete with a spectacular double gatefold, an intricate map and extensive back matter.

Image for Brighty of the Grand Canyon (Marguerite Henry Horseshoe Library)

Brighty of the Grand Canyon (Marguerite Henry Horseshoe Library)

Long ago, a lone little burro roamed the high cliffs of the Grand Canyon and touched the hearts of all who knew him: a grizzled old miner, a big-game hunter, even President Teddy Roosevelt. Named Brighty by the prospector who befriended him, he remained a free spirit at heart. But when a ruthless claim-jumper murdered the prospector, loyal Brighty risked everything to bring the killer to justice. Brighty’s adventures have delighted generations of readers, and he has become the symbol of a joyous way of life. Some people say that you can even see his spirit roving the canyon on moonlit nights—forever wild, forever free.

Image for Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

Conceived and co-created by the National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance, this outstanding collection of essays, personal accounts, historical fiction, and poetry melds with an equally stunning array of original art to offer a look at America’s history through the prism of the White House. Starting with a 1792 call for designers and continuing through the present day, these highly engaging writings and illustrations, expressing varied viewpoints and interwoven with key historical events, are a vital resource for family and classroom sharing — and a stirring reminder that the story of the White House is the story of every American.Back matter includes source notes, notes on contributor, and an index.

Image for Rushmore

Rushmore

A compelling narrative and realistic paintings describe how Mount Rushmore, a patriotic shrine and tourist attraction, was conceived, designed, and created by the dedicated artist and son of immigrants, Gutzon Borglum.

Image for Who Carved the Mountain?: The Story of Mount Rushmore

Who Carved the Mountain?: The Story of Mount Rushmore

Using historical facts and rollicking rhythm, author Jean L.S. Patrick reveals how the mountain was carved and why George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt were chosen. Rich illustrations by Renée Graef make the unique history of Mount Rushmore come alive for children.

Image for Kennedy Space Center: Gateway to Space

Kennedy Space Center: Gateway to Space

NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center set the stage for the American adventure into space and went on to host a succession of rocket launches that have helped to form our understanding of the nature of the universe.

The Kennedy Space Center is a major tourist attraction in Florida, but most of its doors remain locked to the public. This abundantly illustrated book is an insider's history of the heart of America's space program, including detailed information on:

  • The earliest development of rockets in the United States and Germany
  • The development of rockets and their launch facilities
  • The missile race and the U.S.-Soviet rivalry to be first in space
  • The great Apollo program and the race to the moon
  • The shuttle program, the Space Station and the Hubble Telescope
  • The future of space exploration
Image for Famous Landmarks For Kids: Famous Buildings and Landmarks Then and Now - Geography Book for Kids

Famous Landmarks For Kids: Famous Buildings and Landmarks Then and Now - Geography Book for Kids

The book generates interest in historical buildings and develops observation skills. It also develops their aesthetic sensibilities and instills an appreciation of elements of architecture and our cultural heritage, in this book you will find the most famous monuments and know their stories.Learn all about famous landmarks in this book for kids from Taj Maha,The Great Wall Of China, Opera House and more

Image for Landmarks (Discovery Concepts)

Landmarks (Discovery Concepts)

Touch and learn.Applying the tactile features of Montessori teaching, this innovative board book uses enhanced spot UV treatments to teach little ones about famous monuments from around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Great Wall of China. One-of-a-kind colorful illustrations, sturdy board pages, and no moveable parts make this a unique addition to an early learning collection.About the Discovery Concepts series: Discovery Concepts books celebrate Montessori’s curious discovery approach to learning. Maria Montessori believed “the hand is the chief teacher of the brain,” encouraging students to learn by touch and created specially designed materials such as sandpaper letters to support this method. Inspired by her teachings, each book in the Discovery Concepts board book collection uses tactile enhancements to engage young children in discovering the topic at hand. Beyond the tactile elements each title is designed to capture a child’s imagination and curiosity as they learn.

Then, look at some facts for kids about landmarks.

FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF USA

STATUE OF LIBERTY (NEW YORK, NY)

  • A gift from France in 1886, the Statue of Liberty is a worldwide symbol of freedom and democracy.
  • The statue’s full name is “Liberty Enlightening the World,” and its torch represents hope and enlightenment.

LIBERTY BELL (PHILADELPHIA, PA)

  • The famous crack appeared sometime in the early 1800s, and though it can’t be rung anymore, it’s one of the most visited symbols of freedom in the U.S.
  • This cracked but powerful symbol of independence rang during the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

THE WHITE HOUSE (WASHINGTON, D.C.)

  • Home to every U.S. president since John Adams, it represents our government and leadership.
  • The White House has 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and its own movie theater and bowling alley.

Look at How to Build a Fun White House Sugar Cube George Washington Craft to create this and look at this The White House Cut & Assemble.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE (SAN FRANCISCO, CA) 

  • Once the longest suspension bridge in the world, this bright orange landmark connects San Francisco to Marin County.
  • The bridge’s unique “International Orange” paint was chosen because it stands out in San Francisco’s fog.

GRAND CANYON (ARIZONA)

  • A natural wonder carved by the Colorado River, it’s one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.
  • The Grand Canyon is so large it actually creates its own weather. The temperature at the top (the rim) can be over 20 degrees cooler than at the bottom.

GATEWAY ARCH (ST. LOUIS, MO)

  • Known as the “Gateway to the West,” this shining steel arch celebrates America’s expansion.
  • At 630 feet tall, it’s the tallest man-made monument in the United States.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING (NEW YORK, NY) 

  • A symbol of American innovation and once the tallest building in the world.
  • It was built in just 410 days during the Great Depression, finishing ahead of schedule in 1931.

MOUNT RUSHMORE (SOUTH DAKOTA)

Mount Rushmore, our focus project, is located in South Dakota in the Black Hills. It is one of the most famous American monuments and features four past presidents:

Built between 1927 and 1941, it took hundreds of workers using dynamite, drills, and chisels to complete.

  • George Washington – First U.S. President and Revolutionary War leader.
  • Thomas Jefferson – Author of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Theodore Roosevelt – Known for conservation and building the Panama Canal.
  • Abraham Lincoln – President during the Civil War and the end of slavery.
How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Then, look at these additional activities for learning about landmarks.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY IDEAS FOR LANDMARKS OF USA

Find each landmark on a U.S. map as part of your geography. I love The 50 States Atlas for colorful fun maps of each state, fun facts, stats, and images.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Watch a documentary or virtual tour of a U.S. landmark.

Research why the landmark is important and what it represents to learn about our nation’s history.

Create a journal entry as if your child were visiting the landmark.

Use these US landmark toob figures to make a diorama for older kids or use them in a sensory bin to introduce them to preschoolers.

Recreate a landmark through a hands-on project like drawing, painting, or clay sculpting.

Make a landmark passport: each time you study one, stamp or sticker it in a notebook.

Write a short biography of each Mount Rushmore president.

Build another landmark at 7 National Landmarks USA | How To Make A Fun Statue Of Liberty Torch Craft.

Finally, look at how to make this mini Mount Rushmore.

MOUNT RUSHMORE IN AIR-DRY CLAY ART PROJECT

You will need:

  • Air-dry clay (white or gray works best)
  • Wood or cardboard base
  • Sculpting tools (toothpicks, butter knives, pencils work too)
  • acrylic paint
  • Paintbrush
How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Find an inspirational photo online to work from and print it off.

Paint your wood or cardboard base to look like the sky, the perfect backdrop and set it aside to dry.

I found this wooden plaque at Dollar Tree for an inexpensive but neat backdrop.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Roll four ovals and mold and sculpt each using your hands as well as clay tools.

I don’t really have a tutorial for this, but a few techniques to help you.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Use tools to gently mark eyes, noses, mouths, and simple hair or beards.

The edge of a tool or a popsicle stick makes great lines for Roosevelt’s beard and gives texture to the hair.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Roll thin pieces of clay and shape them into his glasses.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Personalize each of the faces with their identifying characteristics like- Roosevelt’s glasses, Lincoln’s beard, Jefferson’s curls, Washington’s strong profile.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Add a bit of water to your finger tip to smooth the air-dry clay and attach additional pieces together, like hair and beards.

Paint the bottom half of your wood sign white once its dry to create the backdrop of the mountain they are carved in to.

How To Make A Mini Mount Rushmore & Landmarks Of USA

Hot glue each of the heads in place.

Allow it to dry for several days until the clay has dried. It will not completely harden.

If you would rather have hardening clay, you can use an oven baked type and bake prior to gluing onto the wood plaque.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschool geography, homeschoolgeography, landmarks

Do All The Rivers Run Into The Sea | Free Famous Rivers Of The World Printable

January 28, 2026 | Leave a Comment
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Do all the rivers run into the sea is a question most kids or even adults wonder at one time or another. Also, look at my page Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips for more ideas.

A river is a natural stream of flowing water that usually moves downhill from higher land to lower land but not always.

First, the easy answer to do all the rivers run into the sea. No, they do not. Many rivers do but some rivers end long before they ever reach an ocean.

Do All The Rivers Run Into The Sea | Free Famous Rivers Of The World Printable

And most rivers do end in the ocean. For example, the Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea. The Amazon River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mississippi River empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

However, some rivers empty into a lake. For instance, the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea which is not a sea at all but a lake.

And in very dry places, rivers can disappear into the ground or evaporate completely.

BOOKS ABOUT RIVERS FOR KIDS

Next, look at this list of books about rivers.

I prefer living books when I can find them.

6 Fun Books About Rivers

Add some oft hese living books about rivers to your home library.

Image for Minn of the Mississippi

Minn of the Mississippi

The history of the Mississippi River Valley is told in text and pictures through the adventures of Minn, a snapping turtle, as she travels downstream.

Image for Journey to the River Sea

Journey to the River Sea

Accompanied by Miss Minton, a fierce-looking, no-nonsense governess, Maia, a young orphan, sets off for the wilderness of the Amazon, expecting curtains of orchids, brightly colored macaws, and a loving family. But what she finds is an evil-tempered aunt and uncle and their spoiled daughters. It is only when she is swept up in a mystery involving a young Indian boy, a homesick child actor, and a missing inheritance that Maia lands in the middle of the Amazon adventure she's dreamed of. Readers of every generation will treasure Ibbotson's lush historical adventure that harkens back to the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alcott.

Image for The Yangtze. Paul Harrison with Jen Green

The Yangtze. Paul Harrison with Jen Green

In these books, each river is divided into five sections and each section begins with a map showing the area that will be covered. Map references are highlighted within the text to show the reader where they are on their journey.

Image for One Well: The Story of Water on Earth (CitizenKid, 4)

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth (CitizenKid, 4)

Seen from space, our planet looks blue. This is because almost 70 percent of Earth’s surface is covered with water. Earth is the only planet with liquid water --- and therefore the only planet that can support life.

All water is connected. Every raindrop, lake, underground river and glacier is part of a single global well.

Water has the power to change everything --- a single splash can sprout a seed, quench a thirst, provide a habitat, generate energy and sustain life. How we treat the water in the well will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come. One Well shows how every one of us has the power to conserve and protect our global well.

Image for River Wild: An Activity Guide to North American Rivers

River Wild: An Activity Guide to North American Rivers

Kids will delight in learning about the formation of rivers, the water cycle, and the variety of habitats that exist along the length of a river in this introduction to the precious natural resource of rivers. All major rivers that run through the United States, Canada, and Mexico are discussed in regional chapters, including the Chattahoochee, Colorado, Columbia, Hudson, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Rio Grande, and St. Lawrence Rivers as well as many others. Kids will discover how rivers have shaped our history and learn of the issues that are currently facing these important waterways

Image for Rivers.

Rivers.

Rivers.

Next, look at activities about rivers.

DO ALL THE RIVERS RUN INTO THE SEA ACTIVITIES

  • Free 4-Week Kid’s Paddle To The Sea Unit Study
  • River Habitat Sensory Garden
  • Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study
  • Nile River Delta Activity
  • Lewis & Clark Free Mighty Mississippi Book and Easy Sediment Activity
  • Why Don’t Rivers Run Straight? A Hands On Demonstration

Then, look at the printable to do some research on each of these rivers below.

  • Nile River
  • Amazon River
  • Yangtze River
  • Mississippi River
  • Huang He River
  • Ganges River
  • Danube River
  • Congo River
  • Mekong River
  • Parana River

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Do All The Rivers Run Into The Sea | Free Famous Rivers Of The World Printable

HOW TO GET THE FREE FAMOUS RIVERS OF THE WORLD PRINTABLE

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