Enjoy learning about Christmas Around the World with this free printable map activity!
I love to find ways to integrate maps & geography activities for the kids throughout the year.
I worry that without exposure to actual maps & globes, the next geneneration isn't going to be very map-literate given the ease of websites like Google Maps and all the conveniences of having a GPS in their cars and phones.
Goodness knows if they ever get lost in the woods, they probably won't have very good wifi and may need to find their way home ;)
Christmas Around the World: Map Activity
And I feel the same way about the use of calculators taking the place of mental math -- technology is a great thing but being able to read a map or subtract in your head are valuable life skills!
So our next holiday-themed activity this year is a Christmas Geography Activity!
Yes, it's really for the kids but adults will enjoy this one too. Just print off the FREE worksheet, grab a map or globe & explore a little of the world this week!
This challenge & printable is also included in our 12 Days of Christmas Activities too.
Christmas Map Challenge
The goal of this holiday activity (well, it's really more of a game ;) is to offer kids a fun way to practice some of ther map-reading skills.
You can make it as easy or difficult as you would like depending on the age of your child.
For example, when we ask 'how far do you live from the North Pole?', allow younger kids to measure using their hand or fingers while older kids can use your map's key or even Google Maps to find the actual distance.
When you pull out a map or globe, be sure to introduce (or review) items like lines of latitude & longitude, the map's key, the equator and prime meridan -- it's always good to go over concepts that are found on all maps and globes.
If you don't have a map or globe, check out a few of our favorites for kids at these affiliate links:
Here are the Christmas Around the World challenges that are included in the game along with a few websites that will help you to find some of the answers:
• Locate the North Pole – how far away do you live?
• Find the cities of your out-of-town relatives on the map.
• Are you traveling for the holidays? If so, find where you will spend Christmas on the map. (If you're not traveling, locate your city on the map)
• Print a map of your neighborhood and highlight a route to view Christmas lights.
• Choose some of your favorite holiday books and find their settings/locations on your map or globe.
• Explore the route Mary & Joseph took on their trip to Bethlehem.
• Locate the countries where the following Christmas traditions began:
Nutcrackers – Germany
Poinsettia – Mexico
Christmas Cards – England
Yule Log – Norway
• Visit the NORAD website and follow Santa’s route for his Christmas Eve deliveries – what country does he begin in and how many hours does it take to get to your country?
This can also be used in the classroom as a fun geography activity during December too. Pair it with some of these books about Holidays Around the World as a great unit study in geography & culture too!
You can use either a flat map or a globe for most of the challenges.
A few of the questions encourage your kids to get online & print a map or use a website that highlights Christmas-themed geography activities which combines nicely with tech use in the classroom.
Subscribe to get your FREE copy of the Christmas Map Activity along with many of our other printables that inspire creative learning!
Be sure to try this Holiday Sink or Float Experiment with free printable worksheet too!
Enjoy & Happy Holidays!
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