11 of the Best Homeschool Geography Curriculum to Explore the World

Geography is more than maps & memorizing facts. But what homeschool geography curriculum is worth checking out? Check out this list.

In third grade, my teacher Mrs. Colvin offered up the best prize ever for a geography challenge. The top two scores on an upcoming mapping quiz — identifying the US states on a blank map — would get to eat lunch at McDonald’s with her.

In 1985, that was a pretty sweet prize.

I spent every evening practicing. And I won! Through the rest of my elementary years, we focused on memorizing countries, capitals, major rivers, and their locations. I developed a million pneumonic devices to help me remember them.

(You don’t put BRUSSEL sprouts on your BELGIUM waffles was one I thought pretty clever!)

But learning the whys? The food? How physical geography affects their populations? How religion affects architecture?

I had no idea how much more there was to geography beyond all those little facts.

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Elementary Homeschool Geography

During the elementary years, I’m a big fan of adding geography into your days naturally. Coloring maps while you read history, listening to folk tales from around the world, and lots of picture books (both fictional & non-fictional) featuring locations from around the world. Google Maps is a great way to explore a location (especially the street view) when we hear a story on the news or a location mentioned in a novel. And one of the most natural (and delicious!) ways of incorporating geography is by eating traditional foods from other countries.

The act of making geography tangible rather than a list of facts is my favorite way to learn anything. But when we want a more structured curriculum, whether to emphasize human geography or physical geography of countries, what is out there? What are the best homeschool geography curriculums?

(One of my favorite homeschool geography curriculum, sadly, was recently been discontinued. If you can find any levels of Maps, Charts & Graphs, though, they are a solid, get-it-done workbook for learning geographical skills.)

Daily geography (evan-moor)

Cost: $30

If a get-it-done workbook is what you want, though, check out Evan-Moor’s Daily Geography. Through their one-page-a-day approach, kids learn geography in small bits and through repetition. Each year builds upon the skills from the previous year.

Legends & Leagues

Cost: $45 & up/level

Our love of story-based math programs, Life of Fred & Beast Academy, is what led us to Legends & Leagues by Veritas Press. Each chapter of the course includes a chapter from the storybook & a chapter in the workbook. The storybook moves the story along but doesn’t teach much geography. The workbook includes mapping activities, projects, traditional worksheets, cooking ideas, and more.

Mapping the World with Art (Ellen McHenry)

Cost: $30+

Using a combination of short history readings & video art projects, students learn world geography through Mapping the World with Art. Whether your kiddo loves to draw or needs a push, this 30-lesson curriculum will be a strong supplement or a light geography course. (target ages 10-16)

Let’s go geography

Cost: $35 + additional resources for grades 3-8

Over three years, your kiddos will tour the world. Each week, you’ll learn about a new country through pictures, videos, music, famous landmarks, and more. Younger students can do the curriculum as is. There are discovery packs for grades 3-5 that include maps and journaling pages. Middle school students have an additional supplement to help them conduct their own internet research into the countries.

If you want to try out a lesson or two before committing to the year, individual countries are available to purchase for $3/each. I always appreciate it when I can give a curriculum a test run!

US Geography through Literature (beautiful feet)

Cost: $150

Aimed at grades 4-6, learn geography through novels like Redwoods & Buffalo Bird Girl. And with just one lesson a week, the gentle approach won’t overwhelm you, either.

Jr. Geography & Cultures (guest hollow)

Cost: $35 + books

Literature, nonfiction books, projects, and more. Take a trip around the world with your littles using this flexible curriculum.

HOT TIP: If you have older kiddos, Guest Hollow’s junior geography program matches up to their high school version.

Middle & High School Geography

Once your kiddo has reached high school, they probably have a decent working knowledge of some countries on each continent — rough locations, a few cities, maybe other random facts. Continuing to expand that knowledge is great.

But these years are also a great time to focus on human & cultural geography. Why have cities built up where they have? How has migration affected different countries? How does art & religion affect different cultures? Why do people eat what they eat? Kiddos at this age have the critical thinking skills to make these connections and analyze what they know.

Mapping the World with Art (Ellen McHenry)

Cost: $25 & Up

Using a combination of short history readings & video art lessons, students learn geography through Mapping the World with Art. Whether your kiddo loves to draw or needs a push, this 30-lesson curriculum will be a strong supplement or a light geography course. (target ages 10-16)

A Visit to…

Cost: $14 & Up + books

Using the spines of Hungry World & Material World, this series by Simply Charlotte Mason will take your kids all over the world using a critical eye to compare & contrast locations through their foods, possessions, and more. The workbook includes mapping skills, living book suggestions, and activities.

(This curriculum can be used by the whole family — grades 1-12. Unless you have little ones you’re “bringing along” with older students, there are more engaging choices for elementary-aged kiddos.)

(Here’s a review I did several years ago.)

Geography & Cultures (Guest Hollow)

Cost: $41 + books

Like their junior (elementary) program, your student will explore the world through food, novels, biographies, projects & more using Geography & Cultures from Guest Hollow.

Build your library (level 7)

Cost: $50 + books

This level from Build Your Library revolves around exploring the 7 continents. It’s not just a geography curriculum, but I think it’s worth exploring if you have kiddos in grades 6-8. This level includes novels & non-fiction books for human & physical geography, world religions, zoology, and literature.

(Each level of BYL is flexible up or down a grade.)

Journey through the USA/journey around the world

Cost: $30 + books

If your kiddo enjoys reading & projects, these human geography programs may be perfect for them. “Traveling” by region or continent, your kiddo will learn a little history, cook the region’s food, read fiction & non-fiction books, and complete a project.