17 TOOLS

Elementary Geography Apps and Websites

Geography helps elementary students open their minds and start to recognize the relationships that shape our cultures and globe. From learning about different states, countries, and capitals to studying continents and cultures, students are bound to find geography eye-opening. They'll better understand how places are situated both physically and culturally, the relationships between these places and the people in them, and the brilliant differences that unite us all. In turn, students develop crucial systems-thinking skills, gain essential content knowledge about people, places, and processes, and nurture truly global perspectives that offer  important, humbling context. These great geography apps and websites help foster these skills, leaning on interactivity and engagement to grab kids' attention and let them explore and to nurture the next generation of global citizens. 

Intro to United States, by Montessorium

Sweet geography app lets kids place, trace, and learn about states

Bottom Line: Carefully paced learning activities provide a solid introduction to U.S. geography and state animals.

Grades: Pre-K–K
Price:
Paid

National Geographic Kids

Kid-friendly science and social studies info via videos, games, and more

Bottom Line: Large collection of approachable, fun multimedia resources about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures.

Grades: Pre-K–8
Price:
Free

National Geographic Education

Top geography resource site provides global exploration opportunities

Bottom Line: This is a must-bookmark site for classrooms across the curriculum hunting for inspiring place-based resources.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free

Homes by Tinybop

Explore homes -- and cultures -- around the world in exquisite detail

Bottom Line: Offers a delightful and accessible way for kids to learn about the world's cultures.

Grades: K–3
Price:
Paid

One Globe Kids - Friends Around the World

Beautiful photos and stories build cultural knowledge, self-awareness

Bottom Line: Beautiful photos and high-quality audio add to this amazing cultural and social learning experience.

Grades: K–4
Price:
Free to try

Google Earth

Dazzling globe-trotting tool has endless classroom applications

Bottom Line: This tool defines engagement and offers a completely open-ended experience perfect for use across the educational spectrum.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

Google Lit Trips

Google Earth-powered tours explore how stories and geography connect

Bottom Line: With some initial fiddling, this can be a good option to increase student interest in -- and add depth to -- literary study.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

Barefoot World Atlas

Visually stunning 3-D globe piques students' interest in world facts

Bottom Line: Dive right in to world geography with a beautiful, interactive globe full of narratives and photos of different cultures and traditions.

Grades: 1–5
Price:
Paid

Stack the Countries

A whole world of facts, maps, and fun waiting to be stacked

Bottom Line: Kids learn about the world through easy-to-use flashcards and exciting stacking games.

Grades: 2–6
Price:
Paid

Stack the States 2

Geography trivia game balances facts and fun

Bottom Line: This is a clear go-to if you're looking to help students memorize state locations, shapes, capitals, history, and more.

Grades: 2–8
Price:
Paid

Geography Drive USA

Engaging game uncovers many fun facts, but not much in-depth learning

Bottom Line: This is a fun way to explore the history and geography of the United States, but look elsewhere for deep learning.

Grades: 3–7
Price:
Paid

GeoBee Challenge

Geography buffs can hone their knowledge of places, landmarks

Bottom Line: For kids who already know their geography, this is a good way to practice for geography bees, but for kids trying to learn, it can be daunting.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free

Montessorium: Intro to Geo

Map memorization drills offer comprehensive but monotonous coverage

Bottom Line: This is a great database of basic information about the world's countries; the repetitive drills will work for some kids and circumstances, but not others.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Paid

Oddizzi

Kids travel the world, cultivate global curiosity and responsibility

Bottom Line: Kids get a sense of culture and global responsibility via kid-friendly articles and great multimedia.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free to try, Paid

ePals

Kids learn together in well-rounded, collaborative global classroom

Bottom Line: A safe communication system and excellent learning materials help create a global youth community.

Grades: 4–7
Price:
Free

BrainPOP

Clever animated hosts Tim and Moby masterfully tackle complex topics

Bottom Line: This extensive collection's videos and games break down ideas in a straightforward and thoughtful way.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free to try

Seterra Geography

Drill geography facts with oddly compelling, no-frills app

Bottom Line: A basic but useful way to drill and memorize geography basics.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free, Free to try, Paid

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