Grades 3–5
State Capitals Word Search
A 12 by 12 word search of 12 state capitals, from Austin and Boston to Juneau and Boise, then name the state for each one.
Social studies worksheet · U.S. states and capitals
Plan a Road Trip
Kids plan a road trip through 4 neighboring states: draw the route on a labeled U.S. map and list each state’s capital and something to see there.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- U.S. states and capitals, Regions, Map reading
What kids do
“Plan a trip through 4 states that touch each other. Draw your route on the map, then fill in the chart.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Which direction did you travel most: north, south, east or west?
Words on this sheet
WAMTORMENDIDMNSDWINVCAIANEUTAZCOILKSOKNMMOPAOHIN
Teacher tip
Let kids plan a trip they would really like to take.
How to use it
- Use a song or a chant for the states and capitals.
- Let kids check answers with a labeled map.
- Keep a classroom globe, a world map and a U.S. map in reach while kids work.
Watch for
Kids who mix up capitals and big cities. Point out tricky ones like New York and Albany.
Talk about it
- Why do you think capitals are not always the biggest city?
- How does this connect to where we live?
Take it further
Write to a pen pal class in another state.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More u.s. states and capitals worksheets
Grades 3–5
State Name Detective
Use the list of all 50 state names to count and hunt: how many start with M or N, how many have two words, and which letters start no state at all.
Grades 3–5
The 50 States and Capitals Map
A U.S. map with every state’s abbreviation and a star on every capital, plus map questions about your own state.
Grades 3–5
Label the States
A blank U.S. map with 15 numbered states to name from a word bank, from California to Pennsylvania.
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