When you think of California, do you picture golden beaches, towering redwoods, or maybe the hustle of large cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco? While all of that may be part of California, there’s so much more to this state! Whether you’re homeschooling, doing a state project, or just looking for ways to make U.S. geography fun, this guide will help you teach your child about California in a memorable way.
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Discover Amazing Places in California
California is well known for its beaches, mountains, and iconic bridges. There’s a reason it’s often called "The Golden State"! Here are some other sights:
The Eureka Dunes in Death Valley consist of giant mountains of sand 680 feet (207 meters) high, as well as unusual Joshua trees that grow only in the Mojave Desert.
You can visit Yosemite National Park, an enormous park with spectacular sights such as the El Capitan and Half Dome rock formations.
And don’t forget about the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco—an iconic spot that draws visitors from around the world!
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Learn about California Flora and Fauna
California isn’t just about beaches and mountains. It’s also known for its diverse plants and animals. The state flower, the golden poppy, blooms in vibrant colors across the state. You’ll also find unique plants like the giant redwood trees, which can grow over 300 feet tall.
California is home to diverse wildlife, including the California condor, a giant bird once thought to be extinct, and the California sea otter, often seen along the coast.
Do some more digging into what types of flora and fauna inhabit California. These plant and animal facts can turn into mini-research projects or creative writing prompts for your student!
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Use Hands-On Methods to Reinforce Learning
Kids remember more when they do something with what they’ve learned. Here are some ideas for taking what they’ve learned about California and turning it into a hands-on activity:
- Make a diorama of the Golden Gate Bridge or a famous California landmark.
- Write a report or draw a poster about a California animal or plant.
- Use our FREE California Coloring Page to learn about the state flag, bird, flower, and tree. Coloring is another multisensory tool that can help take learning to the next level!
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Find California on the Map
Take a moment to point out California on a U.S. map. To make the state’s shape memorable, you can try following it up with a hands-on activity like one of these:
- Trace the state shape on paper.
- Build the borders of California with toothpicks or playdough.
- Color it in on our free coloring page.
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Learn Over Several Days
Instead of rushing through California in one sitting, try spreading your study over 3 to 4 days. Each day, explore a new California city or natural wonder. Try splitting the state up into its regions and then exploring each one on a different day. You'll soon discover that California has something special to offer no matter where you go!
This repetition helps students retain what they’ve learned and gives them more opportunities to connect with the material.
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Use a Ready-to-Teach State Study Unit
If teaching the US states seems a bit overwhelming, we have good news … we’ve already done the work for you!
Our California state unit from our Hit the Road Geography curriculum includes all of the above and so much more. With writing assignments, comprehension questions, hands-on activities, and humorous journal entries, we help make learning stick. After all, our goal is to turn US geography into a subject your child will love!
