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.
Social studies worksheet · U.S. states and capitals
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.
- 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
“Look closely at the names of all 50 states in the box. Count and hunt to answer the questions.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. How many states start with the letter M?
- 2. How many states start with the letter N?
- 3. How many state names start with
- 4. How many state names have two words?
- 5. Which 4 states start with W?
- 6. Name a state with only 4 letters.
- 7. Name a letter that no state starts with.
- 8. How many states start with the same letter as your name?
Words on this sheet
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiKansasMaineOhioIdahoOregonMontanaIndianaNew YorkIowaNevadaTexasVermontUtahWyoming
Teacher tip
Kids love counting the M states. Work in pairs.
How to use it
- Use a song or a chant for the states and capitals.
- Let kids check answers with a labeled map.
- Read the sheet aloud for early readers and let them answer with drawings.
Watch for
Kids who mix up capitals and big cities. Point out tricky ones like New York and Albany.
Talk about it
- Which state would you like to visit?
- What question would you ask an expert on this topic?
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
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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.
Grades 3–5
States and Capitals: Montana to Wyoming
The last 25 states in ABC order, Montana to Wyoming: write each state capital from the word bank.
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