Fall has always been my favorite time of year. Growing up the changing season meant my mother would be in the kitchen canning the fruits and vegetables we had collected at the U-pick farms. My brothers and I would also eagerly await the annual “Back-to-School” shopping spree.

Now that I am mother myself, I look forward to fall for a different reason. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know how much we love to travel. Frequently, our trips abroad happen in autumn when we can take advantage of reduced fees and less crowds.

Thus far, we’ve visited China, five countries in Europe, and Ecuador & Peru. This year, we are excited to add stamps from the British Isles into our passport.

To celebrate our love of travel and the “Back-to-School” season, I have put together a gift basket full of great resources to explore world geography with your kids.

This post contains affiliate links. Contents included in the giveaway are detailed below.

World Geography Gift Basket

The Passport Club

When the kids were younger, we were involved in a wonderful world geography co-op that explored the diverse cultures of our world, one region at a time. We utilized a program called The Passport Club and it was our most anticipated activity of the month.

the passport club Through this program, students learn all of the world’s countries plus forty capital cities, the continents, oceans, seas, deserts, and mountain ranges (if they choose Level Five). Each student is given a passport and a study map. At the end of each month, students receive “stamps” in their passports from the countries they have learned.

Designed as an enrichment program, it is easily adapted to a homeschool setting. Included in the basket are two passports, the stamp images, and study maps to get you started learning about the the world in your homeschool.

When students participate in The Passport Club, teachers are able to make geographic connections to authors, folktales, legends, myths, stories from around the world, biographies, books about history, and the arts. Students benefit from a global perspective, which helps them more fully understand and appreciate both informational and literary reading.

Children’s World Atlas

Included in the basket is hardbound edition of The Children’s World Atlas by Colin Arrowsmith. With more than 100 easy-to-read maps of all the countries and oceans as well as thousands of illustrations and photographs, this is the perfect atlas for children. It is an incomparable tool for reference and browsing.

Detailed thematic pages give the reader a complete overview of our place in space, Earth’s habitats, and the human story. Each country is featured on a page which provides an encyclopedic survey of each region including information on resources, land use, places and people, natural features, traditions and culture, and history.

Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder. ~ John F. Kennedy

Cuckoo Clock Secrets

Cuckoo Clock Secrets in Switzerland, a paperback edition is included in the basket, centers around a homeschool family that travels regularly just as we do. It’s a fun adventure quest guaranteed to immerse the reader in the culture of Switzerland. Your children will delight in this first book of the Case of Adventure travel series.

For fun activities to accompany the book, you may wish to visit Case of Adventure to purchase the Destination Switzerland Unit Study as well as download the FREE Maps Pack and Money Pack to use for your geography studies. Here, you will also find the Mega Travel Activity Pack that goes along with any novel in their series. Filled with spy gear and codes – this activity pack will bring the mystery to life, especially for younger kids.

For a more in-depth review of the book, read my earlier post, Have you ever wanted to visit Switzerland?

Peoples of the Ancient World – 8 Books!

When we travel, we spend a great amount of our time exploring the ancient sites and learning about the peoples of the ancient world. In preparation for our travels, my kids devoured the Peoples of the Ancient World series published by Crabtree Publishing.

Exploring each culture in advance of our trip helps to bring the peoples of these ancient worlds to life. It also helps us better understand the modern culture. I’m thereby including the following eight gently used titles from the series (they are not pictured in the basket):

While it is not included in the basket, North Star Geography from Bright Ideas Press is a fabulous geography program. Purchase of the hardback text includes a free Companion Guide that includes reproducible outline and reference maps as well as many note-taking pages and graphic organizers. Planning calendars and lesson plans are carefully outlined for easy use.

I’ve used North Star Geography extensively in our homeschool. It is a fabulous program that is easy to use and quick to implement. One of our favorite components of the textbook are the North Star Geography Sidebars – little rabbit trails that we’d explore in more depth.

Enter the World Geography Giveaway

To enter the World Geography Basket giveaway, follow the prompts here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

But wait! That’s not all.

There are 27 other homeschool bloggers have joined together to provide one massive back-to-homeschool gift basket giveaway! Take a peek around these 27 other sites and enter to win as many baskets as you like. Each blogger is conducting her own giveaway, so you never know – you may end up winning more than one! All giveaways will be live on Monday, August 7.

iHN Gift Baskets August 2017

Here are just a few that caught my eye:

Middle and High School Living Book Loverís Delight! from Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus

American History & Government Back to School Packfrom Blog, She Wrote

Back to High School Giveaway Basket from BJ’s Homeschool

Ocean Learning Gift Basketfrom See Jamie Blog

Life of Fred Math Books Gift Basket from Look! We’re Learning!

106 comments

Dianna
August 7, 2017 at 6:05 am

I would most like to visit England.
- Eva Varga
  August 7, 2017 at 7:08 am
  
  England is top on our list right now, too!
  - Rhonda
    August 8, 2017 at 6:46 am
    
    I’ve been fortunate to visit the United Kingdom, but I would love to share it with my family. There are so many great places to see.
- Tish Perry
  August 7, 2017 at 7:10 am
  
  I would love to visit Italy
Amy H.
August 7, 2017 at 7:04 am

We’re about to visit Italy for the next three years–so excited!
- Eva Varga
  August 7, 2017 at 7:07 am
  
  Oh, how wonderful! We’ve not spent more than a few weeks in one country.
Sarah M.
August 7, 2017 at 8:13 am

I’d like to visit Australia!
- Tammy Pickens
  August 7, 2017 at 8:37 am
  
  How do you pick just 1??? I would really love to visit Spain, Australia, Ireland just to name a few!!
  - Eva Varga
    August 7, 2017 at 10:46 am
    
    I can’t pick just one, either! It is often why we take in a couple at at time when we travel.
- cosgrovejulia
  August 7, 2017 at 10:07 am
  
  I would love to visit Egypt!
  - Eva Varga
    August 7, 2017 at 10:45 am
    
    Me too! Someday, I hope.
Christel
August 7, 2017 at 8:31 am

Any! I would love to visit Germany someday! My daughter would love to visit China and Egypt.
- Eva Varga
  August 7, 2017 at 10:47 am
  
  While we haven’t yet visited Germany or Egypt, China is amazing!
Leanne
August 7, 2017 at 8:52 am

I would love to visit Ireland.
- Eva Varga
  August 7, 2017 at 10:46 am
  
  The British Isles are on the top of our list right now, too!
Tracy C
August 7, 2017 at 10:21 am

I would love to visit Italy.
Charlene
August 7, 2017 at 1:17 pm

I would love to visit Norway & see the family farm 🙂
Julie Rudd
August 7, 2017 at 2:49 pm

Geography is my favorite subject! And one I never really learned when I was in school, so it’s so fun to teach it to my own kids. So excited for some new teaching tools!
- Julie Rudd
  August 7, 2017 at 2:52 pm
  
  Oh, I didn’t realize we were suppused to comment where we wanted to visit. Personally, I want to visit Spain, France, Italy, & Greece. We’ve learned about so much history in those places!
Jessica Medina
August 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm

I would like to visit Israel.
- Anna
  August 7, 2017 at 11:07 pm
  
  Would love to visit Australia or New Zealand
Karli King
August 7, 2017 at 3:55 pm

I would love to visit Ireland!
Nancy
August 7, 2017 at 4:34 pm

New Zealand
Shannon Alexander
August 7, 2017 at 4:45 pm

Not a specific country…but Anywhere in Africa
Anna Shadley
August 7, 2017 at 4:52 pm

How can I pick just one?!? I suppose Scotland.
- Eva Varga
  August 8, 2017 at 4:56 pm
  
  It’s so hard, I know!
Lisa S.
August 7, 2017 at 6:35 pm

We would love to visit Italy.
Jennifer Wilson
August 7, 2017 at 6:58 pm

I’ve been to thirteen countries but one I would like to visit that I haven’t yet seen is New Zealand 🙂
Jennifer
August 7, 2017 at 9:48 pm

I would most like to visit Switzerland!!!
Dandi D
August 8, 2017 at 4:01 am

My husband and I would really like to go to Italy together.
April
August 8, 2017 at 4:37 am

We’ve never been out of the US, but we would love to visit Israel see where Jesus lived and where Biblical events happened. France & England have come up in conversation, too. 🙂
- Lynda
  August 8, 2017 at 5:32 am
  
  I would like to visit Australia.
Lynn
August 8, 2017 at 5:48 am

I’ve always been curious about Australia?.
bsnwright
August 8, 2017 at 6:22 am

I’ve been blessed with a heritage of world travel; I’d love for my kids to see the world.
- bsnwright
  August 8, 2017 at 6:23 am
  
  Forgot to mention a specific location. First stop would be England!
3gigglygirlsathome
August 8, 2017 at 6:28 am

Austria has always been a place I want to visit.
Brandy Baker
August 8, 2017 at 7:19 am

I’d have a hard time choosing between England and Italy….they’re both so full of history and beauty!!
Erica Lolley-Lanier
August 8, 2017 at 7:56 am

I would love to visit Scotland I want to see the old ruins of the castles and such.
Morgan E.
August 8, 2017 at 8:07 am

Greece! That’s where my dad’s family is from!
- Eva Varga
  August 8, 2017 at 4:55 pm
  
  Visiting one’s ancestral homeland is surreal experience – at least it was for me. 🙂
Jbegreen
August 8, 2017 at 8:08 am

Ireland
Adena F
August 8, 2017 at 8:26 am

I’ve always wanted to visit Israel and Rome but I have a friend that just moved to Thailand so that would be my first stop.
Kelly A
August 8, 2017 at 8:42 am

There are SO many places I would love to see, but one of the first places I have wanted to see since the 2nd grade was Brazil!
Christa H
August 8, 2017 at 9:17 am

Italy or Ireland!
nolanclan
August 8, 2017 at 9:18 am

I don’t know that I can pick just one… I would love to see all parts of the UK, but I would also like to see lots of countries with different cultures.
Jennifer Mathesz
August 8, 2017 at 10:12 am

Japan or New Zealand
Laura D.
August 8, 2017 at 10:14 am

Austria
Shikara C.
August 8, 2017 at 10:26 am

I would love to visit Ireland! So MANY others, but that’s probably top of my list.
Katie
August 8, 2017 at 11:08 am

Greeece
Nicole Lancaster
August 8, 2017 at 11:36 am

I would most like to visit Thailand.
Julie
August 8, 2017 at 11:59 am

I would love to visit Australia or Germany.
Lauren M
August 8, 2017 at 12:23 pm

I have always wanted to visit Italy… and maybe not come back!
- Eva Varga
  August 8, 2017 at 4:53 pm
  
  The coming back can be an adjustment. 🙂
Judith Martinez
August 8, 2017 at 12:40 pm

I want to visit Scotland.
Rubyann
August 8, 2017 at 12:42 pm

Israel or New Zealand
- Delores Sue Humphrey
  August 9, 2017 at 3:49 pm
  
  i would love to visit israel too
Kristi Gibbs
August 8, 2017 at 1:02 pm

My children and I would love to visit France! I would love to win this for my children and myself! ?
- Eva Varga
  August 8, 2017 at 4:53 pm
  
  Best of luck!
Sarah Phillips
August 8, 2017 at 1:11 pm

Our family lived in Okinawa, Japan for almost 8 years. I’d love to travel back and visit mainland Japan!
- Eva Varga
  August 8, 2017 at 4:53 pm
  
  Revisiting an area would be amazing – to see how things changed, to see past favorites, and discover areas you didn’t get a chance to in the past.
Lisa T
August 8, 2017 at 2:20 pm

Iceland! Thanks for the giveaway!
Marie Gates
August 8, 2017 at 2:40 pm

Next on our dream list is Scotland.
Emily Copeland
August 8, 2017 at 2:43 pm

If I could only pick one it would be Italy.
Bethany Pollard
August 8, 2017 at 6:10 pm

If I had to pick one,it would be Portugal
Hecanmovemountains
August 8, 2017 at 6:45 pm

I would love to visit New Zealand.
Patsy Foy
August 8, 2017 at 8:03 pm

Ireland & Australia has always been on the top of my bucket list
Donna E
August 8, 2017 at 8:13 pm

South Korea is the first place we would like to visit!
Virginia @thatbaldchick
August 8, 2017 at 8:30 pm

We’re doing a family mission trip to Honduras in the spring, so I’m excited about that. I would love to visit England, as well.
- Eva Varga
  August 11, 2017 at 10:56 am
  
  I would LOVE to visit Honduras.
Anne Jetton
August 8, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Thank you for the opportunity to win! We love Alberta, Canada! It’s quite a treat for us (Texans!)
Deanna Sallee
August 8, 2017 at 10:14 pm

Switzerland! It is where my family is originally from, with a town the same as my maiden name. thank you for the chance to win!!
- Alicia @ Sweeping Up Joy
  August 9, 2017 at 7:30 pm
  
  I’d love to visit Ireland!
Betsy Strauss
August 8, 2017 at 11:06 pm

New Zealand!
Terri Houchin
August 9, 2017 at 1:02 pm

I’m torn between wanting to visit Italy and New Zealand. Australia is high on the list as well!
Michelle Long
August 9, 2017 at 2:57 pm

I would love to visit all the major landmarks in the USA.
amybradsher
August 9, 2017 at 9:29 pm

Ireland!
Elizabeth
August 9, 2017 at 10:40 pm

France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and greenland
Tanya
August 9, 2017 at 11:09 pm

I would love to visit England.
Sue
August 10, 2017 at 5:36 am

I would love to take my kids to visit Greece and Egypt.
Rosanna
August 10, 2017 at 6:01 am

This is a hard one- I have wanted to go to Slovakia/Chez Republic as that is where my great grand parents immigrated from, to find out more about them and our history… but I think if I got to Europe it would be hard to not go to many of the other countries :)!
Sharon Dail Normark
August 10, 2017 at 6:51 am

Hard to choose just one! so my 3 most interested to visit… Israel, Scotland, and Norway.
Mom2
August 10, 2017 at 10:16 am

England or Ireland
Teri Knight (@TKnightM)
August 10, 2017 at 11:38 am

England and Germany
Minette Paltz
August 10, 2017 at 7:11 pm

how to choose just one! I would like to go back to Fatima, Portugal. I visited there as a teenager. I would also like to visit Rome, Italy and Paris, France as well as Germany.
Deborah
August 10, 2017 at 8:44 pm

I would love to visit Israel.
mommy2darlings
August 10, 2017 at 9:55 pm

Scotland
Wendy Caddy
August 11, 2017 at 6:57 am

First on my list would be England.
Rachel
August 11, 2017 at 10:41 am

I would love to visit any European countries!
- Deirdre
  August 12, 2017 at 11:24 am
  
  I would love to go to New Zealand and Italy someday!
C. Webb
August 11, 2017 at 7:36 pm

Switzerland
Nema
August 11, 2017 at 9:35 pm

Australia
Hope
August 12, 2017 at 2:29 pm

I would like to visit Italy!
Alya P.
August 13, 2017 at 5:38 am

I would love to go to Italy! Or, go back and visit Russia again. Thank you for the chance to win!
amanda
August 13, 2017 at 10:08 am

We would love to visit Australia. This year in school we are visiting other countries in our studies! We did the states last year, and moving on to the countries. So fun to learn all the different places and their traditions.
Danielle Garcia
August 13, 2017 at 12:40 pm

I would love to go to so many different places, but if I just had 1 pick, it would be England.
Deana
August 13, 2017 at 2:27 pm

Some day my husband and I will visit Italy.
jennifer cervantes
August 13, 2017 at 4:19 pm

I would love to visit Italy.
Soozoo
August 13, 2017 at 8:32 pm

Australia — wish the flights weren’t so long!
Brandi Parris
August 13, 2017 at 9:44 pm

I would like to visit Israel.
Michelle
August 13, 2017 at 10:30 pm

I would love to visit Ireland and New Zealand.
Cindy B
August 14, 2017 at 1:18 am

There are TONS of places I’d love to visit but New Zealand would amongst my tops. Thanks.
holly
August 14, 2017 at 4:32 am

I’d like to visit Italy.
genamayo
August 14, 2017 at 5:26 am

Italy
dee136
August 14, 2017 at 7:08 am

My husband is from England – we hope to go visit when the kids get a little older.
Terri Holbrook
August 14, 2017 at 4:00 pm

I would love to visit Ireland, as my family is from there!
Jennifer Nadia Vasquez
August 15, 2017 at 12:22 pm

It’s hard to pick just one. However, France has been a dream since elementary for me and my 8 year old has developed her own desire to visit France as well. So France will be my #1 pick.