Resources to Teach Kids About Oceania
Published:
May 4, 2020
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Oceania is a geographic region with coined as the collective name for thousands of islands scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean. These resources to teach kids about Oceania will help your kids learn all about these amazing island groups – even one that is considered an Island Continent.
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If you aren’t familiar with Oceania, it’s OK because many people aren’t. They may have heard of some popular areas in the region like Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. However, people may not be aware that these larger countries are a part of the region making up Oceania.
What is Oceania exactly?
Oceania is the smallest continent of our planet as far as landmass goes. We often call Australia the continent, although it is actually just a part of the region. That is why Australia is called the Island Continent.
Unfortunately, the islands surrounding Australia, in Oceania, aren’t typically included in the 7-continent “traditional” model taught to our kids in primary school ages. Of course, Australia is the largest island in Oceania, but Oceania is made up of 14 different countries.
The 14 countries making up Oceania are Australia, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The Oceania region spreads 28 degrees North of the northern hemisphere and 55 degrees South in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, the climate in the countries is diverse and varies from 123 °F in the Australian Outback to −14 °F in the mountains of New Zealand.
Side note: I happen to live in the Kingdom of Tonga, and island group/archipelago in Oceania. We are actually the last Kingdom in the area, meaning we still have a king over a constitutional monarchy. It’s pretty cool.
Side, side note: We are also the home of the Tongan “shirtless” Olympian, Pita Taufatofua, who is super friendly, by the way. Even with his fame, you could find him helping his dad in the bushlands. Tonga is also the homeland of The Tongan Sisters from America’s Most Musical Family.
Back to Oceania.
Oceania is a cool area to study in your homeschool. They have so many interesting people and land/sea structures to keep your kids engaged and interested.
Oceania is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the home of Nemo and Dory of Finding Nemo.
It also has rich and vibrant cultures from the Maori native people of New Zealand to the Aboriginal Australians who still hold dear their ceremonies and practices.
Here are some resources for specific Oceania countries:
New Zealand
Resources for Learning About New Zealand
Australia
Resources for Learning About Australia
Learning About the Continents FREE Printables and Resources: Australia
FREE Resources for Studying Australia
FREE Animals of the Australian Bush Printables
Palau
FREE All About Palau Booklet | Learning with Mrs Fresh
Samoa
FREE Samoa Reading Comprehension Journal Activities – Pacific Islands | Top Teaching Tasks
Samoa Reading and Writing Activities – Pacific Islands | Top Teaching Tasks
Fiji
Fiji Reading and Writing Activities – Pacific Islands | Top Teaching Tasks
Niue
Niue Reading and Writing Activities – Pacific Islands | Top Teaching Tasks
Tuvalu
Tuvalu Reading and Writing Activities – Pacific Islands | Top Teaching Tasks
Cook Islands
Cook Islands Reading and Writing Activities | Top Teaching Tasks
Grab these amazing resources to teach kids about Oceania in your homeschool:
Oceania Interactive Notebook | Having A Fields Day
Montessori Inspired Animals of the Continents Bingo Printable | Montessori Nature
20 Animals of Australia / Oceania 3 – Part Montessori Cards + Information Cards | Montessori Nature
Oceania Australia Animals Math Packet | Pinay Homeschooler
Oceania Research Cards | Elementary Observations
Australia and Pacific Islands for Kids: Streaming Resources for Oceania Continent Study | The Homeschool Resource Room
Australia / Oceania Resource Pack | Montessori Nature
Montessori-Inspired Oceania Research
Come explore…Oceania | Lonely Planet Kids
Flag Bingo Oceania | Donald’s English Classroom
Oceania Research Flip Books | Simple Living, Creative Learning
Australia and Oceania Preschool Pack | Trillium Montessori
Montessori-Inspired Australia/Oceania Printable Pack Bundle | Every Star is Different
Social Studies Australia & Oceania Countries Flags, Capitals, & Map Location | Educating Abroad
Oceania 14 Countries Study – worksheets with maps and flags for each country | Play and Learn
Countries in Oceania | Treetop Resources
Montessori Inspired Landmarks of Australia/Oceania 3 Part Cards and Fact Cards | Pinay Homeschooler
Australia and Oceania Map FREE coloring page | Super Coloring
Map of Australia and Oceania FREE Worksheet | Campaign Classroom
Australia and Oceania Labeling Map | Sincerely Sally
Australia and Oceania Geography FREE Flip Book | Penelope Winter
Continents: (Australia) Oceania Listening Guide | Travel Teach Love
Oceania Geography Printable Word Search Puzzle | Loquacious Learning
FREE Flags of Oceania | Free Printable Flags
Oceania: Countries and Territories Printables – FREE Map Quiz Game | Seterra
Geography of Oceania and Australia | Ducksters
Oceania Films and Facts | Oddizzi
Oceania and the Pacific Islands | All Around this World
Your kids will enjoy learning all about these nations that make up Oceania and the history of the amazing seafarers that came from the island groups. Go on a journey through the lands of Moana (which means ocean), koala bears, kangaroos, Kingfisher birds, and beautiful whales.
