Inexpensive Teaching Aids for Homeschool Lessons About Nature
March 4, 2025
A family drive isn’t just a chance to enjoy scenic views—it’s also a great way to learn about geography in a fun, hands-on way! Whether you’re traveling through mountains, coastlines, or farmland, every road trip offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and human-made features that shape our world.
Start by planning your route with a map or GPS. Discuss major landforms you’ll encounter, such as rivers, hills, valleys, or plains. As you drive, encourage kids to observe and describe the landscape. Are there signs of erosion on hillsides? What types of trees grow in different areas? How does the terrain change as you travel?
Make the journey interactive by playing geography games. Challenge your family to identify different landforms, guess the elevation, or spot road signs that reference geographical features like lakes, forests, or mountains. You can also use a compass or a navigation app to teach kids about cardinal directions and map reading.
Historical markers and town signs provide insight into human geography. Discuss why certain towns developed in specific locations—perhaps near a river for trade or in valleys for farming. If you pass through different climate zones, talk about how weather and temperature impact local geography.
For a creative twist, have kids keep a travel journal, drawing maps or writing about what they see. Take photos of interesting rock formations, waterways, or landmarks and research them together when you return home.
By turning a simple drive into a geography lesson, you make learning an adventure. The world is your classroom—so buckle up, hit the road, and explore!
Sequoia’s Treehouse
