Sometimes the best starting point for learning about geography is literally in your own backyard. To teach children about map concepts, try making a map of your own neighborhood. First, tour your neighborhood and discuss various landmarks, streets, parks and other points of interest. Then, at home, your child can use what she learned on her walk with you to create a map of the neighborhood. Afterward, take the map on another walk around the neighborhood to check its accuracy. For older children, you might choose to use a compass and discuss directionality as well.
Making jigsaw puzzles is an easy way to incorporate craft-making into a geography lesson. Additionally, through repeated play with the puzzles that are made, children can learn a lot about the places that are on the puzzle. In order to make the jigsaw puzzle, all that you need is card stock or thin cardboard and a pre-made map. By gluing the map onto the card stock, and then cutting it into various pieces, your child can quickly create a puzzle. Store it in a labeled plastic bag for future use.
A topographical map is a fun way to recreate the look of any given landmass. By making a topographical map, children can learn about valleys, mountains, plains and various geographical concepts. In order to make a topographical map, you can purchase clay or make your own dough at home with salt, flour and water. After determining what region to make a replica of, your child can make his map on any surface that is strong enough to hold it, such as a baking sheet, cardboard or piece of wood. When finished, he can paint it, too.
Paper mache is a great tool for creating a variety of crafts that help children learn. By making a paper mache globe, children can learn about various geographical concepts all while having fun and getting a little messy. Before starting, make sure to tear up lots of strips of newspaper to make sure you have plenty of paper to create the globe. Then, blow up a spherical balloon and tie it closed. Your child can then dip the strips in thin glue made from flour and water and affix the strips to the balloon. Once the balloon is covered and dry, your child can paint the sphere to look like the Earth. Depending on your child's age, you can focus on different features. Younger children might better handle general concepts like oceans and continents; with older children, you might discuss more specific countries and concepts.