Welcome to our 12 DAYS OF HOMESCHOOL CHRISTMAS POSTS! If you are just joining us, here’s what you’ve missed so far:

• 1ST DAY: Printable ~CHRISTMAS COUPONS~ for a Festive & Focused Homeschool Holiday Season! (pdf included)
• 2ND DAY: 12 “Living Literature” Christmas Picture Books that go deeper than just Holly-Jolly, Ho-Ho-Ho-Hum, Sugar-Plum Dumb!

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For our 3rd Day of Homeschool Christmas . . .

I have come as a Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. -John 12:46

Atlas(t) . . . a gift-guide for kiddie cartophiles (I had to look that up) like ours! Here is a list of our personal favorite gift ideas for map-loving munchkins with hearts for exploration! And I can’t think of a more fitting time to celebrate geography than in the season for celebrating the birth of the Savior who was born to redeem us from our sins “and also for the sins of the whole world!” -1st John 2:2

PS. I thought it fitting for a globe-trotting gift guide that I include the locations around the world where each item is handcrafted or manufactured! This list is a true celebration of artistic and creative people from all around the world! All of the gifts on this list are made in the following countries:

• USA (hurray!)
• Germany
• Ukraine
• India
• Poland
• Kenya

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Give your Child the WORLD! ~Gift Guide for Little Explorers~

First . . . a GLOBE (duh)

Classic-looking globe, made proudly in the USA!

Antique-looking globe, made proudly in the USA!

Second . . . an ATLAS

Oh what a gem this atlas is! Our son has spent hours pouring through it . . . even long before he was able to read! This “child” atlas is truly ageless—as useful to the very young child as to any adult who wants to become better acquainted with the world. Every continent, country, and region is celebrated by geographical, historical, and slightly whimsical illustrations that help the explorer glean a lot more than merely shape, size, and location. At a glance your child will be able to see some of the animals, vegetation, culture, and history of a certain country or region. And there is even an activity book to go along with it (below). Happy Homeschooling right there. *Written, created, and printed in Poland!

*I was unable to determine whether this activity book is also manufactured in Poland

Next . . . Marco Polo PUZZLES

For the travel-minded toddler:

A hands-on approach to learning the continents of the world. This gorgeous and slightly whimsical world map is perfect for little hands and minds. *Beautifully handcrafted in Ukraine.

Same concept but a more traditional, crisp and clean version of the above puzzle map. *Handmade in Poland.

For slightly more experienced explorers:

A bold and beautiful way to learn your US geography, state names, and capitals! We have one that is similar, and our son had almost all his state names and locations memorized before he was five years old. *Handcrafted in the USA!

Another gem by the same artists as the USA version, Europe is just one of the continent puzzle maps available at this shop. All lovely, inspired ways to learn geography with our children. *Handcrafted in the USA!

Next . . . a COMMEMORATIVE COMPASS

Every young explorer needs a compass and the know-how to find true north. *This heritage-hailing beauty is handcrafted in India.

Next . . . GEOGRAPHY GAMES

Fun for the entire family and filled with state facts! This is the absolute best way to learn your states, capitals, and so much more! *Oh, and it’s made in the USA!

Such a fun game for kids at least 8 and up! This edition explores the Nordic Countries, however, there are so many versions of this amazing train game taking you all over the globe! Fanatics actually collect them all and play their way around the world! Well there’s a cool geography class! *Many versions of Ticket to Ride, like the one linked here, are manufactured in the USA as well as Germany.

Virtual travel trivia fun for the entire family! *Printed in India.

Next . . . ANIMALS OF THE WORLD PLAY

This is an especially fun and interactive way to study geography.

First, you will need a large map that can be spread on the floor. (Ours is the fabric one that we used in my homeschool room growing up, and I found a few of them on Etsy!)

Second, you need some animals from around the world. (Ours pictured are amazing hand-carved wooden animals that were given to me by some of our relatives from Tanzania. I have linked similar animals below. Another great option is Schleich plastic animals which are absolutely amazing, but are sadly no longer made in Germany).

Third, place the animals in a basket and help your child find where the animals live on the map . . . such as a kangaroo, giraffe, polar bear, etc.

And last but never least . . . BOOK IT AROUND THE WORLD

Explore every corner of the globe with your child through the pages of a book.

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human Soul –

~Emily Dickinson~

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BON VOYAGE, EXPLORERS!

May our families follow after God, seeking true north together, from generation to generation!

This post is dedicated to the most influential and true-north seeking adventurers in my life: my father and grandfather. Thank you for teaching me to ford a trail, appreciate an open road, never rush a sojourner’s story, love the smell of well-oiled binoculars, and follow a compass to find my way through the woods.

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Thanks for reading!

Love, ~Our Holistic Homeschool~