Hobbies And Interests
Country Scategories
This game will test a player's knowledge of the names of the countries around the world. Give each player a sheet of paper and pencil. Choose a letter and start a one- to two-minute timer. Instruct the players to list the names of countries that begin with the chosen letter. The goal is to write down as many countries as you can during the time limit. When the time is up, read each player's list of countries out loud. Each country that is correct earns the player one point. The player with the most points wins the game. This game can also be played by choosing a continent for each round instead of a letter.
Globe Game
This is a fun country game that is played similarly to the game 20 Questions. Divide a group of players into teams of three or four. Give each team a globe and instruct them to choose any country on its surface. Allow each team to take a turn answering questions about their country. The other teams can ask up to 20 questions to determine which country was chosen. At any point during the game, a team can make a guess. If they are correct they earn five points, and if they are incorrect they can no longer ask questions. Once the first team's country is identified, select another team to take a turn. The team with the most points after all countries have been identified wins the game.
Map Puzzles
The map puzzle game is a great classroom activity to teach children the location of countries. Before class, print out a template of a continent and cut apart the countries to make a puzzle. Free templates can be found on the Maps That Teach website. If desired, color and laminate the puzzle pieces. Mix up the countries on a table at the front of the classroom. Hang an outline of the continent on the board as a general guide for the children. Call on students one at a time to come to the front, choose a piece, identify it and hang it in the correct place. If the student is correct, she earns one point, and if she is incorrect, she must put the piece back on the table and return to her seat. Once the puzzle has been correctly assembled, tally up the students' points. The child with the most points wins the game.
Famous Landmarks
Teach players about the location of famous world landmarks by playing this fun game. Print out pictures of famous man-made and natural landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Grand Canyon, Great Wall of China and Big Ben. Hang a large map of the world up in the front of the room. Show the players a picture of the landmark and read a few facts about it. The player whose turn it is must pin the picture to its correct location on the map. If he gets it right, award him one point. If he is incorrect, allow the next player a chance to steal the point by trying. The player with the most points wins the game.