Geotoys DIY GeoCamp: Paris Olympics

Heading into Summer Break, Winter Break or any extended time with kids is something a lot of us look forward to, but sometimes figuring out activities can be a challenge. It's a subject on the minds of most Homeschool families as well, who look for educational ideas year-round. Need some inspiration? This past summer Geotoys created four different weeks of "GeoCamp," all featuring easy-to-do activities based around a Geography theme. Would a GeoPuzzle be a nice addition to these activities? Of course! Will you need one? No, but access to maps of some kind (often Google Earth works just fine) will come in handy.

Our first is inspired by the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics! Check out our ideas for activities to keep your “campers” busy. We’ve also featured the Olympics in “Lock That Piece,” an Instagram feature we created that introduces countries around the world through their geography.

Here's what you'll need:

Supplies

Construction Paper
Pool noodles, bean bags, balls etc (for "Olympic Events")
Aluminum foil
Ribbon
Download "Google Earth"

Activity 1: Introduction to the Olympics

Explore the history of The Olympics!

Good places to start: Your local library or Olympics.com

Fun Fact!

Both Summer and Winter Olympic Games used to be held in the same year until 1992. After the 1992 Summer and Winter Olympics, a “bonus” Winter Olympics was held in 1994, ahead of the next Summer Olympics in 1996. So we now experience one of the two Olympics every two years. It will be another four years until the next Summer Olympics. The last winter Olympics was held in 2022, and the next will be in 2026.

Activity 2: Running of the Torch!

The Olympic Flame takes an incredible journey from Greece to its final destination - and the Paris Olympics' torch relay was no exception.

Learn more about the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay from the official Olympics website: https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/olympic-torch-relay/map

Design your own torch!

Grab a piece of construction paper and roll it into a tight cone and tape into place.
Pull pieces of yellow, orange and red construction paper and position them into the cone to represent the Olympic flame

Activity 3: Getting to know Paris

Take a virtual tour of Paris landmarks using online resources

We of course love GeoPuzzles to help get an idea of where France is located in the world! You’ll need to know this to get an idea of where to find it on great resources like Google Earth. Can you find the Eiffel Tower or The Arc de Triomphe?

Postcard Craft

Make postcards featuring famous Paris landmarks and write messages to family or friends.

Activity 4: Let the Games Begin!

Mini Olympics

Set up stations with different sports activities, like hurdles with pool noodles, shot put with bean bags, and relay races...leave the events up to your “campers.” They’ll get creative with a bit of space and access to common yard and pool toys,

Team Flags

Create team flags using fabric or construction paper and markers

Metals!

Make Olympic medals using cardboard, aluminum foil, and ribbon.