5 Family Games to Boost Geography Knowledge

Geography is an essential subject that helps children develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. However, studying maps and memorizing facts can sometimes feel tedious and boring for kids. To make learning geography fun and engaging for the whole family, here are five games that will boost your children’s geography knowledge while having a great time together.

1. GeoGuessr

GeoGuessr is an online game that uses Google Street View to challenge players to guess the location of a random place in the world. The game drops players in a random location, and they have to explore their surroundings to find clues and piece together where they are on the map. It’s a fantastic game to test your family’s knowledge of landmarks, street signs, and geography in general.

Tips for playing GeoGuessr:

• Look for unique landmarks or signs that can help identify the country or region.
• Pay attention to language and writing styles to narrow down the possible locations.
• Use the location’s climate, foliage, and vegetation as clues to determine the general region.
• Discuss your reasoning as a family to make it an interactive learning experience.

2. Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride is a popular board game that combines strategy and geography. Players compete to build train routes across various destinations in North America, Europe, or other parts of the world. The game not only teaches geography but also fosters critical thinking, planning, and decision-making skills.

Tips for playing Ticket to Ride:

• Discuss the geography of each destination before starting the game.
• Encourage players to strategize their route, considering distance and potential obstacles.
• Discuss the history and significance of the cities and landmarks featured in the game.
• Consider playing the different versions of Ticket to Ride to explore various regions of the world.

3. World GeoBee

World GeoBee is an educational game by the National Geographic Society. It challenges players with geography questions about countries, capitals, flags, landmarks, and more. The game offers different difficulty levels, making it suitable for children of various ages. Playing World GeoBee as a family can be an enjoyable way to test your geography knowledge and learn new facts together.

Tips for playing World GeoBee:

• Encourage each family member to research and learn about different countries before playing.
• Take turns asking questions and have a friendly competition to make it more engaging.
• Celebrate correct answers and use incorrect answers as opportunities to learn and discover more about a specific topic.

4. Scrambled States of America

Scrambled States of America is a card game where players race to find matches between states and their capitals. It’s a fun and fast-paced game that helps children learn the names and locations of all the states in the United States. Even if you’re not from the U.S., the game can still be a great way to introduce your family to American geography.

Tips for playing Scrambled States of America:

• Print out a map of the United States to have a visual reference during the game.
• Encourage players to say the state’s capital and location on the map when making a match.
• Discuss interesting facts about each state as you play the game.
• Consider expanding the game by including facts about each state’s history, culture, or landmarks.

5. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? is a classic computer game that combines geography, history, and detective work. Players take on the role of detectives chasing the international thief Carmen Sandiego through different countries and continents. The game requires players to use their geography knowledge to track her down and solve cases.

Tips for playing Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?:

• Discuss the countries and regions featured in the game and their unique characteristics.
• Research and learn about the history and culture of the countries visited in the game.
• Encourage critical thinking and deductive reasoning by discussing possible hiding places based on geography clues.
• Consider watching the popular animated TV series or reading books about Carmen Sandiego to extend the learning experience.

By incorporating these games into your family time, you can turn geography into an enjoyable and interactive learning experience. Not only will your children learn about different countries and landmarks, but they will also develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and cultural awareness.