How To Help Middle Schoolers Memorize Countries and Capitals Fast + 9 Fun Countries Worksheets

There are 195 countries in the world—can you name them all? How about their capital cities? And did you know that some of them have two capitals?

Clearly, learning the world’s countries and their capital cities is no easy feat.

Traditionally, kids have been expected to learn geography by rote. They’re taught how to memorize countries and capitals of the world by repeating their names until the knowledge sticks.

But, frankly, this is a boring way to learn—and it’s not that effective either.

Learning by rote might help kids to recall basic facts in the short term but it’s tough to maintain focus. Plus, this kind of repetition doesn’t encourage deep, long-lasting understanding of a subject. 

Discussing and exploring these countries and cities as real-life places with real-life citizens can help kids remember geographical content.

And—as anyone who has taught middle schoolers will tell you—the more fun and energy you can incorporate into your teaching, the better. Read on for a selection of engaging ideas!

How to help middle schoolers memorize countries and capitals fast

Do a jigsaw

Type “geography jigsaw” into Google and you’ll find a host of fun jigsaws to do with kids. As they fit pieces together, they’ll learn the names of countries and their capitals.

Alternatively, get your craft on and make your own! Creating a DIY jigsaw is easier than you think.

Take an old world map or find an online image of a continent and print it off, making sure the country and capital names are easy to read. Stick your image to a piece of card and mark out a puzzle grid on the back. Then use a craft knife to cut your pieces. Simple!

Play card games

Play your own geographical version of Snap! by printing homemade cards showing flags and the names of countries and capitals. When associated flags, country names, or capitals land on top of one another, whoever shouts “snap!” first gets to claim the pile of cards.

If you’d rather not give the home printer such a workout, get hold of a great geography card game like this one. Kids can learn about flags, capitals, and the locations of all world countries. And you can also use the cards as flashcards for a quick filler activity.

Play a board game

There are lots of board games that use world maps and countries as their basis. Ticket to Ride and Explore the World are both popular options, but middle schoolers will particularly benefit from Continent Race. In this game, kids speed around the world, matching countries to their continents, and learning how to memorize countries in the process.

Find great apps

For better or worse, kids are always engaged when tech is involved. Take advantage of that fact and try some of the following.

Planet Geo: This app has great graphics as well as excellent geography games that cover countries, capitals, and World Heritage sites. 

Crapoks: Geo Atlas: In three game modes and over 36 levels, kids will learn about 182 countries and capitals, plus their flags and famous monuments.

Barefoot World Atlas: Kids can zoom their way around an interactive globe, discovering geographical facts and stories belonging to countries and capitals around the world.

Stack the Countries: With interactive country maps and over 900 quiz questions, this app provides endless geography learning. And lots of fun too!

 

9 fun countries of the world worksheets

For fun and engaging lessons, you can also make use of the incredible selection of geography worksheets available at KidsKonnect. With lots of interesting countries and capital activities, you’re sure to broaden kids’ world knowledge and spark their interest too.

Countries worksheets

Whichever of the 195 countries of the world you want to focus on, KidsKonnect has you covered. Each country worksheet bundle provides activities that explore the history, culture, and geography of a nation.

By the time they’re through, kids will be able to point out the country on a map, tell you about its agriculture, discuss its regions, its claims to fame, and more!

Here are a few of our favorite countries of the world worksheets:

• Learn about Greek philosophers, mythology, and geography in these Greece worksheets.
• From the roots of samba to rainforest animals, there’s so much to discover about Brazil! Learn about the world’s fifth-largest country with these Brazil worksheets.
• Explore the unique culture of Japan. These Japan worksheets cover the cultural importance of cherry blossom and the way old and new collide in this distinctive nation.
• These India worksheets introduce kids to the Taj Mahal and Indian cuisine as well as Indian regional differences.
• The unique wildlife and culture of an African island nation await. Give these Madagascar worksheets a go!

Cities worksheets

KidsKonnect city worksheets encourage kids to imagine life in a different place. Students get to know the population size, currency, and language of a city. They’ll also get the chance to be creative, designing their own city tours and coming up with acrostics.

Here are a few of our favorite capital cities of the world worksheets:

• Find out why the French capital is known as the “City of Light” in these Paris worksheets.
• From souks to skyscrapers, these Dubai worksheets give kids a great introduction to the Middle Eastern city-state.
• Kids get to know Moscow’s history, landmarks, and most popular sports with these Moscow worksheets.
• Journey to the Argentine capital with these Buenos Aires worksheets. They’ll tell kids everything they need to know about the vibrant birthplace of tango.

Bon voyage!

Given a little geographical context, kids will find that memorizing countries and capitals isn’t so hard after all.

Playing games, using devices, and getting to know new places through fun worksheets, they’ll soon be able to recall country and capital names with ease.

Whether you’re teaching kids how to memorize countries and capitals of the world or supporting them with any other topic, visit the KidsKonnect worksheet library. Here you’ll find interesting and engaging worksheets that bring any subject to life.