When I ask the girls what history or geography topics they would like to learn more about, “other countries!” is always at the top of the list.

We explore one country at a time, focusing on the basics to give them a general “feel” for the country. Keeping my girls ages (seven and nine) and interests in mind, we usually end up focusing a lot on animals, food, and cultural celebrations.

Here is our basic approach to country-study, along with some of our favorite resources. I hope you’ll share your fave resources in the comments, too!

We look at maps.

We have the National Geographic Beginners World Atlas, which is geared toward ages 5-7 and has been a wonderful beginner resource for us. We’ll probably upgrade to the National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers soon, since the girls seem ready for more detailed information.

For printable maps, we often use National Geographic Xpeditions Atlas.

We learn basic facts.

How many people live there? What language(s) do they speak? What are the names of important cities or landmarks? In addition to our atlas, we use these sites for gathering interesting facts about our country:

• Time for Kids – Around the World
• National Geographic Kids (People & Places)

We read books.

The library is our first stop for gathering-up some great reads about our chosen country. Not only do we look in the geography section of the kids’ nonfiction area, but we also check the computer for picture books and folktales that tie in. The girls love learning about animals, so we usually add some books about native animals or habitats to our pile.

At home, we have some general reference books as well (in addition to our atlas):

• Children Just Like Me - I have had this classic book for ages and the girls are always fascinated by the daily life of children around the world. (Children Just Like Me: Celebrations! is excellent, as well.)
• Children from Australia to Zimbabwe: A Photographic Journey around the World
  
• Houses and Homes
• Around the World in 80 Tales – We have checked this out from the library a few times and it is on our wish list for purchasing.

We watch videos.

• National Geographic Kids (People & Places) – short videos plus photos & facts that are just right for young kids
• Tourism websites – check out Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory for links
• Discovery Atlas – the website has some video and other features; the shows are ‘instant play’ on Netflix as well
• Global Wonders: Around The World DVD
  

We listen to music and language.

• Pandora – We’ve been listening to Mariachi, Samba, Celtic, and many others. Try checking out the stations under the ‘World’ genre or using the search feature.
• CDs from library (We always enjoy the Putumayo ones)
• Say Hello to the World {Internet Public Library}

We cook and eat.

My girls are not super-adventurous eaters, so we keep it pretty simple with our country-inspired foods. Sometimes we just eat foods that are important crops of the country we are studying. Here are some sites I browse through if we want to cook and taste something new:

• World recipes at Recipe Goldmine
• International recipes at Family Fun
• World cuisine at All Recipes

We do a project.

We usually do at least one project for our chosen country. It could be playing traditional games or sports, doing an art project, cooking a meal, etc. I try to limit myself to 30-minutes of internet surfing, then choose something that looks doable. There is SO much out there, I could browse and plan for hours – but that would defeat the purpose of keeping these country studies simple and low-key!

I sometimes browse through books at the library, too. I have found fun ideas in Global Art, The Kids Multicultural Art Book, and Math Games & Activities from Around the World.

How about you? Do your kids enjoy learning about other countries? What are your favorite activities or resources?

I’m back with Part 2 of my hobby starter gift ideas. This time, I’ve gathered ideas for little gardeners, illustrators, and rock hounds. Enjoy!

Gardening

DIY Tutorials:

Chalkboard Plant Markers :: Home Stories A to Z

Flower Planting Kit :: Let’s Explore

Plant Care Apron :: Sew Liberated

Shredded Paper Seed Starters :: MADE

Books:

Good Growing: A Kid’s Guide to Gardening (Klutz Books)

Green Thumbs: A Kid’s Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening by Laurie Carlson

Grow It, Cook It (DK Publishing)

Roots, Shoots, Buckets, and Boots by Sharon Lovejoy

The Family Kitchen Garden by Karen Liebreich, Jutta Wagner, & Annette Wendland

Supplies & Kits:

Kid’s Big Tool Set (garden rake, spade, hoe, leaf rake) – Toysmith

Kid’s Mudd Gloves – Gardening With Kids

Kid’s Wheelbarrow – Radio Flyer

Rubber Boots

Seed Packets

Watering Can

Wrap it up in a colorful Tubtrug, plastic watering can, kid-size wheelbarrow, or plastic planting pot.

Drawing & Cartooning

DIY Tutorials:

Fabric Journals :: A Beautiful Mess

No-Sew Colored Pencil Roll :: small + friendly

Rustic Pencil Holder :: Strawberry Chic

Books:

Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, & Alexis Frederick-Frost

Art for Kids: Cartooning by Art Roche

How to Draw a Happy Witch by Joy Sikorski

How to Draw Animals (Usborne)

How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids (Usborne)

Make a World by Ed Emberley

Supplies & Kits:

Blank Comic Books - Bare Books

eeBoo Sketchbooks

Faber-Castell GRIP Colored Eco-Pencils

Paper Mate Flair Colored Pens

Wrap it up with a big piece of easel paper, ready for doodling!

Rock Collecting

DIY Tutorials:

Easy Drawstring Bag :: The Purl Bee

Geology Learning Kit :: Live Your Art

Nature Explorer Bag :: Chez Beeper Bebe

Books:

Geology Rocks! 50 Hands-On Activities to Explore the Earth by Cindy Blobaum

If Rocks Could Sing: A Discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk

If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian

Rocks and Minerals by DK

Rocks and Minerals – Peterson Field Guide

Supplies & Kits

Break Open Real Geodes Kit

Carson 5″ BigEye Magnifier

Collection Display Box – Home Science Tools

Mini Me Geology – all kinds of kits, supplies, etc.

Rock and Crystal Excavation Kit – Geo Central

Rocks and Minerals :: imaginechildhood.com

Rock Tumbler

Load the supplies in a plastic tote, basket, or small backpack.

Phew! That’s a long list of ideas for creating a custom hobby starter kit for your favorite kiddos. Here’s a link to Part 1 (sewing, cooking, and photography), in case you missed it!

Themed-gifts are my favorite, so I have been gathering ideas for creating hobby starter kits. I love joining in with my girls as they try new things and explore their interests. Who knows where a childhood hobby might lead them as adults?

Below you’ll find kid-friendly ideas for sewing, photography, and cooking.  I’ve included links to DIY tutorials, complementary books, and supplies or pre-made kits. I’ve also suggested ways to package your hobby kit, just for fun. I hope this gives you some great gift ideas!

Sewing

DIY Tutorials:

Child’s Sewing Kit Tutorial :: Chez Beeper Bebe

Felt Needle Book :: Little Birdie Secrets

Felt Teddy Bear Craft Kit :: Chica and Jo

Sewing and Embroidery for Kids :: Filth Wizardry

Toddler Friendly Sewing Basket :: Childhood 101

Books:

My First Hand Sewing Book by Alison McNicol

Sewing School by Amie Plumley & Andria Lisle

See and Sew: A Sewing Book for Children by Tina Davis

Supplies and Kits:

Embroidery hoops & colorful embroidery floss

Fabric

My First Sewing Kit – Alex Toys

Stitch-It Birdie Kit – The Little Experience

Kids’ Beginner’s Sewing Kit – Land of Nod

Wrap it up in a sewing basket, a plain canvas tote for embellishing, or a fun piece of fabric.

Photography

DIY Tutorials

Camera Cozy Tutorial :: Sew, Mama, Sew!

Easy Camera Pouch :: a pretty cool life

Patchwork Camera Strap Cover :: Fabric Family and Fun

Photobooth Props DIY :: Oh Happy Day

Books

Click! A Book About Cameras and Taking Pictures by Gail Gibbons

Photojojo! Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas by Amit Gupta and Kelly Jensen

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

The Kids’ Guide to Digital Photography by Jenni Bidner

Supplies

A camera! Natalie has her own camera, the Canon Powershot A495. It’s a great little camera – lightweight, large viewing screen, great pictures. (Read more about our experience with this particular camera here.)

Lowepro Ridge 10 Camera Case with Shoulder Strap

Pioneer Cloth Photo Albums

Umbra Snap Frames (they look like Polaroid photos!)

Gift card for photo printing (Winkflash, Snapfish, Shutterfly, etc.)

Wrap it up in a cardboard photo storage box or larger camera case.

Cooking

DIY Tutorials & Printables:

Child’s Apron Pattern :: Sew Liberated

Child’s Gathered Apron Tutorial :: Craftiness is not Optional

Printable Recipe Cards :: Wild Olive Etsy Shop

Books:

My A to Z Recipe Box by Hillary Karmilowicz

Kitchen for Kids: 100 Amazing Recipes Your Children Can Really Make by Jennifer Low

Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes by Mollie Katzen

Chop Chop Magazine subscription

Supplies & Kits:

Children’s handmade aprons on Etsy – try Sweet Apronz N Cupcakes, Annie’s Attic, or Beanstalk by Izzy

Food Preparation Tools & Kits at Montessori Services

Kuhn Rikon Cookie & Cupcake Decorating Kit

Playful Chef Deluxe Cooking Kit

Sil-Pin Junior Rolling Pin

Wrap it up in a colorful mixing bowl or stacked on top of a cutting board.

I’m planning to include gardening, drawing/cartooning, and rock collecting in Part 2. Are there any other kid-friendly hobbies you would like to see ideas for? Let me know!