• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Learn / Kids, Geography and the Olympics

     

    Kids, Geography and the Olympics

    764 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Watching the Olympics has been a great way to learn geography with the kids. You don't need any fancy activities, printables or special games. All you need is a map or a globe.

    Kids learn geography simply by having maps in the home.

    Don't you love it when learning with the kids is completely uncomplicated? Tacking a map up on the wall takes no effort at all, but has lots of benefits.

    We don't have a television, but thanks to the in-laws, my kids and I have watched several Olympic events though live streaming. My older son was immediately intrigued by the little country and flag labels by the participants' names. He wanted to know what country each three letter abbreviation stood for.

    He already has a solid grasp on where most countries are located. After all, he has been studying his atlas for years, even going through a flag coloring stage, but even he needs to look up countries like Moldovia and Tonga. (Yup, there was a luge participant from Tonga!)

    I got out a large wall map (btw, that's an affiliate link) that I had purchased for another activity idea I had. (It's a more complicated activity, which is exactly why I haven't done it yet with the boys! I tend to avoid complicated projects!) We taped it on the wall above our dining table. That's where all the action in our home happens. Every time an athlete comes on we note his or her home country on the map. This is especially fun when there is a head to head race, like in speed skating. We take note of how far away the competitors live from each other and how far they had to travel to get to the Olympic Games.

    The boys have a world map in their bedroom, too, as well as large atlases. Displaying maps where kids can see them is such a simple way to get them interested in geography and raise children knowledgable about the world.

    More to explore: 

    Katy and the Big Snow Activity: Sensory Play

    35+ Make Your Own Puzzles for Kids: Ideas for all Ages

    Map Science with a Homemade Compass

    If you want to do more than just put a map on a wall, check out the following ideas:

    • Olympic Bingo with free printable
    • Olympic ring art project using paper roll printing
    • Small world Olympic ring
    • Mini Olympic ice rink
    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « 1960s Children's Picture Books
    Easy Kid-Made Valentines Perfect for the Last Minute »
    764 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Echo says

      February 11, 2014 at 11:47 pm

      Great info and link up!
      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. jeannine: waddleeahchaa says

      February 12, 2014 at 8:52 am

      We are in the middle of a year long Geography for Kids study. The Olympics are definitely a fun way to use maps and globes. We've also had discussions on why countries in the more frigid zones do a bit better at the Winter Olympics. It helps when you grow up with snow and ice!

      Reply
    3. Jacquie says

      February 12, 2014 at 10:21 am

      We love using globes & maps when we read books (fiction or non-fiction) to located the setting or places mentioned in the story. And they are a must for any travel prep we do too. Love the Olympic tie-in!

      Reply
    4. Natalie AfterschoolForSmartyPants says

      February 15, 2014 at 2:56 pm

      Sadly, we have no space for a big map of the world, but we also use Olympics as an excuse to talk more about participating countries. Daughter, of course, is mostly interested in US, Russia and Germany ("her" countries), but wanted to know why Norway and the Netherlands are doing so well in medal count.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.