This free printable world map bundle is packed with maps and activities to help kids explore the Earth right from their desks. Find multiple projections, cut-and-paste activities, a country treasure hunt, and more. To get your free printable world map and worksheet, simply fill out the form on this page.
printable world map and worksheet
Simple Mercator projection printable world map
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This simple, uncluttered version of the Mercator map is perfect for learning about large features like continents and oceans. Use the included worksheet to cut and paste the labels and color code the continents. A perfect starter world map for younger students.
Teacher Tip: If you don’t want to get out the scissors or glue sticks, use the labels as a word bank. Students can instead write their name in the appropriate location on the map.
Mercator projection with country outlines
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This version of the Mercator map includes blank country outlines. The accompanying worksheets teach children about the equator, prime meridian, and the location of the four hemispheres.
Teacher Tip: This map’s basic latitude/longitude grid is perfect for playing Map Battleship. Each player secretly selects a location on the map and takes turns asking questions such as “Is it in the Western Hemisphere?” or “Between the equator and 30 degrees south latitude?” The first player to narrow down and guess the opponent’s country is the winner.
Printable world map in Robinson projection (blank)
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Use this blank Robinson projection drawing the outline of a country alongside the included Color the Countries worksheet. Using an external resource such as an atlas or online map, students must locate each of the 15 countries listed and color them as shown. (Colored pencils are recommended.) There are also questions to answer about each country to help students dig deeper into the geographic relationships between countries.
Teacher Tip: Do you have a fast finisher in your class? Encourage them to identify and color more countries on the map, and create their own keys for the colors and patterns they use.
Robinson projection (political world map)
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This labeled political world map is a great reference tool for students. Printed on two pages, one for the eastern hemisphere and one for the western hemisphere, to maximize size. Each page has its own worksheet, like a treasure hunt. Students use maps to answer questions such as “What is the largest country in Asia?” “What country is between Costa Rica and Honduras?”
Teacher Tip: Need a complete map? Cut out the excess and tape the two maps together in the center where they join.
world map projection graphic organizer
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Round planets are very difficult to represent properly in 2D. Over the years, cartographers have proposed various views, known as “projections,” to translate a 3D globe onto paper. This graphic organizer highlights four different common projects that students can compare and contrast: Mercator, Robinson, Winkel Tripel, and Interrupted.
Tip for teachers: If you are teaching younger students or don’t want to delve too deeply into projection, use only the first page of this organizer. This includes the Mercator and Robinson projections that students will most often encounter.
Other ways to use printable world maps
plan a trip
Have students use world maps and travel websites to plan their trip. You can find out how much transport costs and see what your options are (should I take the train or plane? How many stopovers will there be?). Once you’re “there,” you can choose your accommodation, plan your activities, where to eat, and more.
Become a geography detective
One student selects an object on the map. It can be a city, country, state, river, or any other location of your choice. Other students take turns asking questions to find out where they are. Example: “Are you north of the equator?” Something like 20 Map Questions.
relate to current events
When reading or discussing news articles or other events, take the time to locate them on the map. You can also create a world map bulletin board where you can post printouts and clippings and connect them with text to locations on the map.
Plan your climate zone
Use reference sources to divide the map into climate zones and color each one with a different color. Next, find photos of the different wildlife species (plants and animals) that live in each zone, cut them out, and add them to your map.
Personalize the map
Have each student personalize their own map and how it connects to themselves and their families. They may change color depending on the country they visit or the country their relatives or ancestors are from. Students can also highlight countries and places that they really want to visit someday, or that they find particularly interesting.
Fill out the form on this page to get your free printable world map bundle today!
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