Around the World Stories
As my children and I study world geography this year, I am looking for creative ways to introduce them to different cultures and countries around the world.
I wish I could say that my plan involved tossing my kids in a plane and traveling to every continent so we could experience places and cultures first-hand, but that isn’t in the cards right now.
We will have to stick with experiencing the world in our own home using books, stories, and resources.
{Disclosure: I received access to Around the World Stories in exchange for a review. In all honesty, I approached Around the World Stories because I was excited to try out this program. I am thrilled to share it with you.}
I realize that most of us can’t (or won’t) sell everything and take off around the world with our kids.
Fortunately for us, there is one family who has done just that and now they are sharing their original, creative stories with everyone.
Around the World Stories: The Basics
Around the World Stories offers subscriptions to stories based in settings around the World that both educate and entertain the listener. Â From the website:
Our audio stories draw young listeners, ages 5-12, into the fun adventures of children from other cultures and countries, bringing to life how they live, play, eat, think and learn.
Each audio tale is approximately 25-35 minutes long. The stories have engaging plots as well as cultural basics, such as language, while capturing the atmosphere of the country.
I wholeheartedly agree with the age recommendation. My 8 and 10-year-old boys are the exact age to enjoy the story and engage with the activities. My “very soon to be” 13-year-old daughter listened and enjoyed the story, but overall I do feel like it was a little young for her. My 14-year-old daughter wasn’t home with us, but I don’t think she will listen this year.
Currently, there are 52 stories available that take place in various European countries. Customers can purchase the full story set or sign up for a monthly subscription to receive one story each week. Some families prefer the excitement of receiving one story at a time while others (like myself) enjoy the whole pack so they can jump around countries at will.
It is recommended that if you buy the story pack, you don’t have to listen to the stories in order. You can begin with any country that you like, but you should listen to the stories from that individual country in the order that they were released.
NEW: Brand new on the Around the World Story site is the option to purchase a 6 pack story set about artists around the world.
Around the World Stories: Educate and Entertain
The stories are created with entertainment and education in mind.
Our family has listened to two stories set in Italy so far. The plots are entertaining and engaging enough that my kids respond to them during and after the story.
When the story, Surprise Gelato, ended, my boys were excited to discuss their plans to start their own Gelato shop in our garage. I am pretty sure their plan isn’t going to work out, but it was fun to discuss it with them. We talked about what their shop would look like and what flavors they would serve before they ran off to other tasks.
During the stories, I made an impressive list of everything that my kids were learning without even realizing it. Both stories included Italian words, Italian foods, Italian landmarks and historic buildings, as well as descriptions of the culture and atmosphere. All of these learning opportunities were carefully crafted into the plot of the story so that learning occurred naturally.
Having been to Italy over a decade ago, I was impressed with how well the story captured the feeling of wandering the streets and piazzas in Italy.
Around the World Stories: Extension Activities
Included with each story is a parent’s guide so you can take the experience a bit further if you like. There are five categories of extension topics and activities.
Not all five are always included, but there are typically at least four of them:
- Discussion Points – questions to discuss with your children about the story and relating it to their own knowledge and experience
- Did you Know? – fun facts and trivia related to the story
- Language – revisit the foreign words and references used in the story and their meanings
- Activities – this section includes recipes, printables, and other ideas
- More to Explore – watch two videos related to the story you just heard
When we listened to, “Surprise Gelato”, we ate gelato, of course. There was a recipe included in the activities section but I cheated and bought some.
The “More to Explore” section included a short video about the making of gelato. It was perfect.
Around the World Stories: Video Overview
If you would like to hear my initial impression after our first story, you can check out this Facebook Live video I recorded:
I am excited to continue our travels with this family as they explore other continents. They will continue to offer subscriptions and story packs along the way.
In the meantime, you can check out the Around the World Stories current options for Europe and artists.
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She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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This sounds like such fun! And like something I could do during our “morning basket” time. I’m definitely filing this away for when we hit world geography / history.
I’m trying to find the code for $20 off that you mentioned in your video. I would like to purchase the whole audio set. Would you mind sharing that info?
Thank you.
Heather