Best Globe for Kids

Last Updated: Oct 19, 2021 @ 1:44 pm.

Best Light-Up Kids Globe: Replogle Illuminated Blue Ocean Globe 4 Kids

When it comes to the best globes for kids, you have two basic choices: a no-frills globe which lets kids learn from exploration . . . or a fancier globe that has interactive elements (an app, supplemental videos, etc). 

A light up globe is also nice since it can also be used as a night light . . . and it just looks super cool.

After having some actual kiddos play with several popular globe brands, we decided to pick Replogle’s Illuminated Blue Ocean Globe for Kids as the best light-up globe. 

This globe has two modes: when the light is off, you see the political map. Turn the light on in a dark room and you can see hidden geographic features (tectonic plates, for example). The kids loved that! 

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Focus is on countries—great for teaching geography basics.

• Free companion app adds artificial reality features—click on panda bear and read more about their habitat.

• Made in the USA.

• 125 illustrations (animals, landmarks, etc).

What Needs Work

• Doesn’t show US state boundaries.

• Base could be more sturdy.

Best No-Frills Kids Globe: Advantus 12 Inch Desktop World Globe

When we say no frills, we mean this globe is just that . . . it doesn’t light up, have a companion app, etc. But sometimes simpler is better! At 12″, it is much easier to use than smaller models. 

We liked the detail (mountains, deserts, forests are all called out) as well as ocean topography. And it spins nicely!

What We Liked

• Great for classrooms or home school.

• Large size = easy to read.

• Good detail.

• Spins both horizontally and vertically!

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

Best Interactive Kids Globe: LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe

There are several interactive globes for kids out there—after trying them out, we think LeapFrog’s Magic Adventures Globe is the best of the bunch.

Why?

In a nutshell, kids told us it was fun—it includes five hours of BBC videos (shown on a 2.7″ LCD screen below the globe) plus three interactive games. This made learning geography fun, said the kiddos, and we’d agree—it is well designed.

Here’s more:

What We Liked

• Touch the stylus to the globe and up pops a video with more info on that geographic feature.

• Best for ages 5-7.

• Includes detailed info on capitals, landmarks, flags and more.

• Fun!

What Needs Work

• A headphone jack would be nice. That way kids could listen to the videos quietly. But alas, no headphone jacks.

• Pricey.

Best Globe + Constellations: USA Toyz LED Illuminated Globe of the World

And now for something different: a globe that also teaches astronomy. How? This globe has two modes: during  the day, it is your standard political globe. At night, flip the light switch and you get constellations and planet locations. Very unique . . . and a good combination of geography plus astronomy.

What We Liked

• Good detail with deserts, reefs and other geographic features.

• Lights up at night with 88 constellations.

• Good size for desk.

• Great as a gift.

What Needs Work

• Pricey.

• Switch is under the base of the globe . . . which is hard to locate at first!

Why Trust Us

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