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.
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
Echo says
Great info and link up!
Thanks for sharing!
jeannine: waddleeahchaa says
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!
Jacquie says
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!
Natalie AfterschoolForSmartyPants says
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.