There’s nothing more important than encouraging a love of learning from an early age. Globes are a great way to introduce your little one to the wonders of the world, especially since many are sold with resources that promote educational exploration. With that in mind, here are the seven best globes for kids.
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The Best Globes for Kids
1. Juvale World Globe for Kids
(Best value — $)
Why it’s great: This rotating world globe is a similar model to what’s found in most classrooms. Measuring eight inches in diameter, this globe features a removable base and frame and is made from sturdy, high-quality materials. Customers praise this globe for being vibrant and accurate.
Keep in mind: Some customers report that the text on this globe is hard to read in some areas.
Good for: Parents looking for a basic globe to have on hand for homeschooling or homework help.
Why it’s great: This talking globe includes an interactive smartpen that offers facts and figures about the world via voice recordings played in real-time. This globe has a nine-inch diameter and comes with 300 engaging trivia questions designed to help kids learn about countries, capitals, geography, national anthems, languages, populations, currencies, and climates. Recommended for kids ages 6 and older, this globe is easy to handle, turn, and spin.
Keep in mind: This globe requires two AAA batteries, which are not included with purchase.
Good for: Older kids as the interactive features require more advanced cognitive skills.
Why it’s great: This illuminated globe is popular with customers for its bright LED lighting and easy-to-read features. This globe has two settings, including a worldview setting and a constellation setting, allowing kiddos to learn about the world and outer space on one globe. The world setting teaches kids about geography, latitude and longitude, and major rivers, deserts, and oceans. Meanwhile, the constellation setting promotes lessons about astronomy, zodiac signs, the elliptical path, planetary locations, and features 88 recognized constellations. This globe can be paired with an interactive app and also comes with an illustrated constellation booklet. Featuring a sturdy tip-resistant stand, this globe spins 360 degrees and has a nine-inch diameter.
Keep in mind: Some customers say this globe is smaller than they expected.
Good for: Kids who want to learn about astronomy as well as world geography.
Why it’s great: This puzzle globe is a great option for younger kids and will teach early learners about continents, oceans, and major landmarks. Measuring eight inches in diameter, this globe is perfect for little hands to hold on their own. Additionally, this globe’s big and chunky puzzle pieces are designed to improve motor skills. Printed nameplates help kids learn the names of different continents while engaging illustrations showcase local animals and landmarks.
Keep in mind: Some customers say the pieces of this puzzle sometimes come apart on their own.
Good for: Kids ages 3+ as this puzzle globe is a great way to teach beginning concepts about geography and shapes.
5. Orboot Earth by PlayShifu Interactive App-Based Globe for Kids
(Best for tech gurus — $$)
Why it’s great: This interactive globe is designed to be used with a companion app downloaded to your smart device. Different modes within the app allow countless ways to explore the world, including visual storytelling, music, voice interaction, quizzes, puzzles, and games. Designed for kids ages 4-10, this globe offers 1000+ world facts across six categories, such as animals, cultures, monuments, inventions, maps, and cuisines.
Keep in mind: This smart globe requires the Orboot app, which can be downloaded to smart devices, including iPads (5th generation and above), iPad Airs (all models), iPad Pros (all models), iPad Minis (2nd generation and above), iPhones (6 and above), and Androids (3GB RAM and above). Amazon Fire devices are not currently supported.
Good for: Kids who love learning on their tablets as this globe’s interactive app will provide hours of educational fun and games.
On An Important Side Note… Asher and I (pictured) feel it’s necessary to highlight the value of life insurance for parents with young kids. After extensive research, we discovered that parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. We use Ladder Life who offers coverage up to $3M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions) and you can apply 100% online.
Why it’s great: This interactive globe offers a myriad of educational features, all accessible through touch technology that’s activated through an attached stylus. An LCD screen embedded in this globe’s base displays videos and animations that teach kids about countries, capitals, animals, landmarks, oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, forests, currency, population statistics, languages, and flags. This globe also comes with more than 600 custom BBC videos and three interactive games, all of which touch on themes related to world geography and culture.
Keep in mind: This globe requires 4 AA batteries. The batteries included with the purchase are for demo purposes only and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Good for: Kids ages 5-8 as this globe’s educational activities are designed for that age group’s learning level.
Why it’s great: This illuminated world globe comes with a set of educational flashcards to promote learning and discovery. A bright LED light and vibrant color scheme make this globe easy to navigate, even in the dark. Detailed labels name continents, countries, capitals, cities, deserts, and oceans, helping kids learn important details about the world they live in. Customers praise this globe for being lightweight, easy to use, and popular with kids.
Keep in mind: This globe requires 4 AA batteries, not included with purchase.
Good for: Gifting as this globe is great for all ages and can grow with kids as they get older.
The Juvale World Globe for Kids is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..
1. What should I consider when shopping for a globe for kids?
The first thing you’ll want to consider is what features you want your globe to come with. Some globes offer an illumination option, which means they can double as a night light. Other globes come with educational resources, like games, flashcards, or videos that teach important lessons about landmarks and cultures found around the world. Globes that are designed to be interactive often incorporate cool features like touch technology or app-based games and lesson plans. You’ll want to make sure the globe you purchase is age-appropriate as some globes are designed for younger kids while others include features that require more advanced cognitive skills. Budget is always an important factor, but fortunately, globes for kids are available at a variety of price points.
2. What age is best for a globe?
Globes are great for any age as it’s never too soon to start learning about the world. That being said, some globes have been designed for specific age groups. For younger kids, a globe that breaks down into a puzzle and is designed to function as a toy might be the best option. This type of globe will teach early learners about geography using simple, easy-to-understand concepts like matching and shapes. Meanwhile, globes that offer interactive educational lessons will be better suited for older kids whose learning skills are more advanced. If you’re not sure whether a globe is right for your child, check the product’s item description as most globes provide recommended age guidelines.
3. How important is it for a globe to be interactive?
This depends on how you plan to use your globe. Interactive globes are great for self-directed learning and provide endless opportunities and resources for your little one to explore on their own without help from a teacher or caregiver. However, a more basic globe can be a better option for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for those more advanced features. Basic globes are also more affordable and offer the chance for kids and caregivers to research and learn about the world together.
4. What are the benefits of my child having a globe at home?
Purchasing a globe for your home is a wonderful way to inspire a love of learning in your kiddo. A globe is not only a fun new toy for your little one to play with but a practical educational resource that will introduce important lessons about world geography and culture. Interactive globes often come with games and activities that promote learning, which will no doubt give your child a head start in school down the road.
5. What size globe is best for kids?
This depends on your and your child’s preferences. Smaller globes can be better for little hands to hold on their own. Smaller globes also take up less space on a desk or shelf. That being said, larger globes are sometimes easier to read. Larger globes typically have more features and are more likely to offer interactive games and activities. No matter what size you choose, a globe will provide plenty of opportunities for learning and exploration, all from the comfort of your own home.
Conclusion
Globes for kids are a great way to introduce your little one to the big, beautiful world we live in. Whether you’re looking for a simple, illuminated globe that can double as a nightlight or an interactive globe that comes with bonus educational resources, there’s no shortage of choices on the market today. Having a globe at home allows kiddos to learn about world culture and geography, which will provide an important foundation for academic lessons later on. Globes also offer a unique opportunity to bond with your little one, whether it’s practicing using the flashcards that came with your globe or inventing your own game as you research the wonders of the world together.
On An Important Side Note… Asher and I (pictured) feel it’s necessary to highlight the value of life insurance for parents with young kids. After extensive research, we discovered that parents can get insured for as little as $10 per month. We use Ladder Life who offers coverage up to $3M per parent (without a medical exam, just a few health questions) and you can apply 100% online.
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