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.
Social studies worksheet · U.S. states and capitals
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.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- U.S. states and capitals, Regions, Map reading
What kids do
“Find the 12 state capitals. They go across, down and on a slant. Then write each capital’s state.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Whose capital is it?
- 1. Austin is the capital of
- 2. Boston is the capital of
- 3. Juneau is the capital of
- 4. Denver is the capital of
Words on this sheet
austinbostondenveratlantaphoenixsalemdoverjuneauhelenalincolntopekaboise
Teacher tip
Ask kids to name the state for each capital.
How to use it
- Find your own state on a U.S. map before the sheet.
- Learn a few states at a time instead of all fifty.
- Use finished sheets for a quick gallery walk or a partner share.
Watch for
Kids who mix up capitals and big cities. Point out tricky ones like New York and Albany.
Talk about it
- Which states border ours?
- What did you learn that surprised you?
Take it further
Play a state guessing game with shape cards.
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
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.
Grades 3–5
States and Capitals: Alabama to Missouri
The first 25 states in ABC order, Alabama to Missouri: write each state capital from the word bank.
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