I would love to travel with my children! Dreams of a cross-country road trip (with someone else driving, of course) and stops along the way to check out the strange but true sites of our great country have flitted through my mind for years. I’d also love to tour the world. At the moment travel isn’t possible. There are far too many responsibilities here on our farm.
But that doesn’t mean that my children can’t experience other countries, cultures, and customs. We just have to think outside the proverbial box. Geography through stories is a perfect solution! “Around the World Stories” is a delightful and lovely way to give your children a globally minded education from the comforts of your own home.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information. I received access to Around the World Stories in exchange for a review. I actually approached Around the World Stories because I thought the audio stories would fit perfectly with our family. A positive review was not required. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only choose to share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other families will enjoy.
Geography Through Stories: What is Around the World Stories
Imagine selling most everything you own and trading it all for five backpacks so that you could travel to 13 countries in Europe with your family! That’s exactly what Matt, Tania, their three daughters, and their loyal labradoodle have done. From these adventures comes the inspiration for their authentic audio stories.
Around the World Stories is a monthly subscription service for audio stories filled with compassion and kindness. They are a wonderful addition to our day and are perfect for ages 5-12…although our 4-year-old adores them as well. These stories are a fun way for children to learn about the world because…
- Each of the 52 stories tells about a child in one of 13 countries in Europe.
- Every story has basics from each country’s culture with the use of its language, and atmosphere.
- All stories are accompanied by a parent guide including discussion points, background information, and activities including recipes to make each story and country truly memorable.
- Practice map skills with a favorite map or globe. This will help children to learn where on Earth these countries and landmarks are.
- The stories are only 30 minutes long!
You can access your personal audio library on your desktop, smartphone or tablet.
Families can enjoy these stories from the comfort of their own living room, and in the car while running errands.
How Does Geography Through Stories Work?
My children love stories both as read alouds and audio books. I was pretty certain that they’d enjoy Around the World Stories too. The first time we listened together we heard the story of a little girl in Germany and her family’s trip up a mountain. It was interesting to hear how she was able to stand in one spot and turn to see three different countries. The kids immediately wanted to know where she had to be to see these three countries. We pulled out our map of Europe and quickly pinpointed her location!
Geography through Stories = Hands on Geography
Did you know that geography through stories could be hands on? With Around the World Stories parent guide, hands-on geography is totally possible. After listening to the audio story we proceeded to make an apple strudel (gluten-free of course) just like the little girl and her family enjoyed!
In another story, we learned about The Black Forest and how the Brothers Grimm wrote many fairy tales from that region including Snow White, and Rapunzel. Afterward, the children made their very own Black Forest Cake! It was a cake of EPIC proportions. Also, I realized there is no such thing as too much whipped cream… The whole time they were adding ingredients we talked about the audio story, the Black Forest, the Alps, the surrounding countries… It was amazing!
This was a geography lesson the children will never forget! It was memorable and delicious in a way that geography has never been before.
Follow Around the World Stories
These audio stories are truly lovely and perfect for adding a bit of geography to your day. They are wonderful for morning time, afternoon quiet time, or “Momma needs a minute” time. My kids adore them and the corresponding baking or cooking that will inevitably follow!
A subscription for Around the World Stories can be purchased monthly for $9.99 per month and you’ll get one story per week along with the parent guide to deepen the experience with a new country featured every 4 weeks. Or you can make a one-time payment of $99 and receive all 52 Europe stories immediately.
NEW: There is now an option to purchase a story set about Artists Around the World!
You can follow Around the World Stories on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can also follow their family’s adventure across Europe on their blog.
Tell me, how will you incorporate geography and raise globally minded children?
You may also enjoy these other Geography posts:
That sounds like a wonderful series! What a fun way to “travel”