10 Games & Toys That Make Learning U.S. Geography a Ton of Fun

​I get so excited hearing about expat kids really getting into learning their U.S. history. It was one of my favorite subjects growing up, and I think there are so many more resources available today to help kids learn in a fun way.
 
Of course, one prominent subject in U.S. history is geography. We touch on it in American History Course B, which is available to students in K-2nd grade, but if students aren’t regularly practicing their geography skills they can literally get lost during other U.S. history lessons.
 
With 50 states, it’s easy to forget where each one is located, let alone facts about the state or each state’s capital. Think about it. Could you point out New Hampshire on a map?
 
Because U.S. geography is so important, I wanted to round up a bunch of apps, activities, and toys that would make it fun for your student to learn. Here are 10 (almost all of which you can find on Amazon) that’ll make learning geography less of a lesson, and more of a game.

​1. GeoBingo USA 
GeoBingo USA is a family-friendly game that combines U.S. geography with a little friendly competition. To play, you simply flip a card from the deck and see if you have a spot that matches on your board—just like regular bingo. The first player to fill up five squares in a row is the winner! GeoBingo cards include the land area, population, and nickname for each state, so your family will get a dose of geography facts with each flip.

2. Learn & Climb Electronic Kids Map of the United States
Your child can explore the country with the Learn & Climb Electronic Kids Map. It’s designed with bright illustrations that make learning geography interactive and fun. When children press on a state, the map’s push-to-talk system shares one of more than 500 interesting facts. This toy gives them the opportunity to learn about all 50 U.S. states, capital cities, climates, fun facts, and quizzes.
 
3. Map of The United States Geography Puzzle
This U.S. geography puzzle can help your child learn the nation’s 50 states by name, capital city, shape, location, and even nickname. The puzzle includes 70 double-sided pieces that are shaped like each state and have each one’s nickname printed on the back. With fun illustrations, this puzzle is an engaging and unique way to start learn U.S. geography!

4. Scholastic Race Across the USA Game 
In the Scholastic Race Across the USA board game, kids must answer geography questions to visit six states, get back to their home state, and win. Questions are geared to each player’s grade level, so kids of all ages can play against each other on an even field. Not only do kids get to learn facts about each state, but they get to see where the states are in relation to one another. It’s a fun (and competitive) way for them to learn about the country.

5. GeoCards USA
If your child learns well with flashcards, then get them GeoCards USA. The set comes with 50 jumbo-sized cards and instructions for five different card games. Each card has the state on one side and the capital on the other; they also include information on the state’s population and land area.

6. U.S. Geography by Mindsnacks
Fair warning: your kids might find this geography app a little addictive. It seems to cover just about every geography fact you could want to know about the United States, including landforms, state capitals, mottos, famous citizens, and state histories. With eight games, the app is perfect for geography learners of any level. Students will gain a full understanding of the country—geographically and beyond—as well as their place in it.

7. Mapology USA with Capitals
Mapology’s geography map is perfect for younger children (since it’s made from foam). The puzzle pieces fit snugly together to form the U.S. and its frame notes the oceans, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Leaks. Once your child masters the location of the states, they can move on to capitals and fun facts. The puzzle set comes with a sticker sheet that has the capitals and a fun fact for each state as well as plastic flags to mark out the location of each capital. 

8. States and Capitals Flash Cards with Workbooks and Worksheets
This learning set will prepare your child for every U.S. geography quiz they’ll ever face. It comes with two sets of 50 flash cards; one set includes the 50 states and capitals, the other has more advanced facts. On top of that, your child can complete workbook exercises, maps, and quizzes to test their knowledge.
 
9. Educational Trivia Card Game - Professor Noggin's Card Games
The Professor Noggins card series encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects—like U.S. geography! The game cards combine trivia, true or false statements, and multiple-choice questions. Players collect cards by answering questions; the one with the most cards at the end of the game is the winner. (The series also includes History of the United States and Presidents of the United States card games.)

10. Learn the States with Flat Stanley
This geography app is based on a book character named Flat Stanley, and is best for younger children. Kids launch Flat Stanley onto the state that’s being requested (no names are listed on the map); if they’re correct, they’ll be asked to spell the state’s name, and can then explore the state to learn more. It’s a fun and exciting way for kids to practice identifying states' locations and learn geographical fun facts. 

Let me know in the comments below if you have any tools you’ve found helpful for teaching geography!

---

If you haven’t subscribed to my newsletter yet, do it now! Email subscribers got a whole new list with completely different games—plus tools, songs, and activities to teach geography. (As a subscriber you’ll get extra bonuses and exclusive news or promos that I won’t be posting here, so don’t miss out!)

Join the Waitlist