World geography games keep kids learning while having fun at the same time. And this combination can’t be beat!
Here at Let’s Go Geography, we use games in our continent lessons and review lessons. And we are sharing some of our favorites here with you.
Of course, world geography games are best when all the kids are involved. Ideally, everyone gets a turn at something, even if they don’t necessarily “win.”
What are the best world geography games for kids? Here’s a few of our top picks:
Map Games For 2 or More
I Spy
One person starts by giving a clue, such as, “I spy a country on [this continent] that begins with the letter ‘S’.” The others shout out their responses until there is a winner. The winner chooses the next country and gives the next clue.
Typically you will play this game one continent at a time, since a world map may not have the country names big enough to read! Maps of just a single continent are much easier to manage, especially for continents like Europe or Africa that have a lot of countries, some of which are very small!
For the youngest students who may know their letters, but can’t read, they can just point to the countries they find, with an older student or adult reading country names for them.
If the same child wins more than once, instead of going again he or she can pick the next person to give clues. The person he or she chooses must not have already had a turn. This gives everyone a chance to play.
Treasure Hunt
This game helps kids find countries using the clues north, south, east, and west. And it is also easiest to play this game on a continent map rather than a world map just because of the size of things.
Players start the game with their fingers on a designated location. For instance, everyone puts their fingers on London, England.
The object of the game is to find the imaginary treasure at the secret location, which is a country. The person giving clues will direct players movements from one country to the next until they have arrived. Well, if they have followed the instructions accurately, that is. The winner must be the first to identify the secret country correctly.
For instance, the caller may tell everyone to go south from London and cross the English Channel. Then travel south through this country until you reach another country. Go west through this country until you reach another country. Where are you?
The answer would be Portugal. The first person to shout out the correct destination gets to give the next set of clues.
Of course, if the winner has already had a turn at clues, they get to choose who goes next, instead of doing this twice. Keep playing until all kids have had a chance to give clues.
World Geography Games to Make
When kids can make their own game, it takes on a whole new meaning! Kids love to play the games that they have created themselves.
Geography Memory Game
Let’s Go Geography offers a Print-&-Put Together Memory Game for kids to make themselves. Kids in K-1st Grades will want to color and cut out the 10 sets of matching cards for the continents & hemispheres, and kids in 2nd grade on up can add the additional 5 sets of cards for the world oceans.
The game of Memory is as simple as mixing up all the card pairs face down, and each person turns over 2 cards to see if they have a match. If yes, they keep them and go again, but if no, it’s the next person’s turn. When cards are all claimed, the person with the most wins.
It’s a simple, classic game, and this one has a geography twist so kids learn at the same time.
World Geography Board Games
It’s a great idea to have good world geography games laying around the house within easy access for everyone! And there are a few board games that top the charts.
The choices here are linked to Amazon so you can see pictures and read more. Please note these are affiliate links…meaning Let’s Go Geography will earn a small commission if you purchase.
Ten Days in…
The idea behind the 10 Days series of games is that you have 10 days in a particular location to make connections between places and the first person to do so wins.
You learn a lot of geography as you try to find all your locations, and adults love the game, too. This game is a little advanced for the younger child.
10 Days Board Games:
10 Days in the Americas
10 Days in Africa
10 Days In Europe
10 Days In The USA
Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride games are also based on the challenge of getting to a destination. And all this involves trains. You get to complete connections to reach a destination and learn locations of world cities along the way.
This is another game that is not for the youngest kids. And it does take some strategy. Just like the 10 Days game series, adults love the game, too!
Here’s the selection of the Ticket to Ride series. These are also linked to Amazon with an affiliate link, just like the 100 Days series above.
Ticket to Ride Board Games: Ticket To Ride
Ticket To Ride: Europe
Ticket to Ride: Asia
Ticket To Ride: Africa
Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails
World Geography Games to Play Alone
Sheppard Software
The internet is FULL of free quiz-style geography games, so it can be hard to choose between them all. A good one site is Sheppard Software. The world geography games here cover most of the globe and are fun for kids. Kids learn continents, countries, capitals, and landscapes, and they can choose whatever continent or part of the world they want.
World geography games are a great way for kids to learn. And the Let’s Go Geography curriculum uses these and other fun activities to keep kids’ excitement and interest level high. Discover more about the Let’s Go Geography curriculum for kids here!
