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**Updated 5/14/19.

Our country has 50 states to study. I wish we could travel across the United States and see each one. Unfortunately, we can’t. So I did some research and found fun ways to learn about the 50 states.

My hopes were my kids would learn more than simple facts about each state. I also wanted them to be able to find them on a map.

Here are some resources we have been using and some I am looking into adding to our homeschool.

Resources to Teach the 50 States

1. Ben and Me

Ben and Me is a blog run by a homeschool mom. She put together a FREE unit study for each of the 50 states. When I need ideas, I go to this site. Here you can find general information and facts. Kids can do notebook pages for each of the categories. You can also find suggestions for art and craft projects, cooking ideas, books and other ways to extend learning.

If you want an easier alternative to creating your own notebook pages, take a look at #2.

2. Productive Homeschooling Formerly NotebookingPages.com

On the site Ben and Me, one of her recommended resources is NotebookingPages.com which is now Productive Homeschooling . It is now a subscription program. As of May 14, 2019, I went to the link provided on Ben and Me’s website which offered a discount on the USA State Unit Study. I clicked the link and it was still working. Click here and scroll down towards the bottom of the page for the offer.

The notebook pages are useful. For each state, there are pages to fill in information such as the state bird, flag, inventors, history, tourism etc. It is a great resource. Best of all my kids enjoy it, and it saves me time. Everything is put together for me.

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3. Books on the 50 States

The library is our best friend and one of our most used homeschool resources. I found books on each of the 50 States for my kids. There are two series that we use the most.

1. Exploring the States (Blastoff! Readers) series: The books are simple to read and engaging for kids. They are appropriate for elementary students. They aren’t filled with a lot of overwhelming information. The books are easy and short enough for kids to read to themselves or to use as a read aloud.
2. America the Beautiful series: These books are a good reference tool. The information is in-depth. My kids use these books to find more details about state government, inventors, and famous people from each state.

4. 50 States Websites and Apps

While planning our state study unit, I found several helpful websites and apps. The sites contain information and/or maps.

• Ducksters: Here you can find information and maps on the 50 States. The maps show major rivers, regions, state capitals, deserts, and mountain ranges. It also includes a list of online US geography games.
• National Geographic Kids: I love National Geographic Kids. It provides kid-friendly information on each of the 50 states. It also has a “50 Birds, 50 States” section. Here the state bird from a particular state raps fun facts while Barry the Bald Eagle joins in. It is pretty cute.
• Owl and Mouse: On this site, kids can practice placing the states in the correct position on the map. There are two levels of difficulty. The first level provides the borders for each state. The hard map is blank.
• Learning Games for Kids: This is another game site. Here you can choose the United States or individual states. Each state has links to various sites with games about that particular state. It may be a word scramble, a video, memory game plus many more options.
• PurposeGames: This is a quiz game. You are timed to see how quickly you can place the states on the map.
• Stack the States and Stack the States 2: Both are apps. When I purchased Stack the States 2, it was only $2.99. There are four games in Stack the States 2. You must complete so much of one game before another is unlocked. The game includes trivia questions, connecting the states, state capitals, and map placement. My kids love this app!

5. 50 States Games and Puzzles

Hands-on games and puzzles are another great way to learn the 50 states. Not to mention it is a great way to make learning fun.

6. Maps

• Wall Maps: A large wall map is good to have when studying the 50 States. You can get a traditional map like you would find hanging in a classroom.

• Atlas for kids: An atlas is another nice resource.
• Google Earth: I love using Google Earth. You can explore landmarks and cities across the US. Type in a location or historic site for a state and Google Earth will bring you there. How cool is that?!

If you are looking for some other ideas on how to make learning fun, check out 8 Great Ways to Make History Exciting. It includes tips that you might be able to apply to your state study, too.

When finding resources for our 50 States study, I tried to find things that would meet a variety of learning styles, ages, and interests. Most of all, I wanted to find ways to make learning fun.

What resources do you use? Leave a comment below.