The Geography Game
Have cards cut on the lines of the different states of the United States. You can use the ones made for the puzzle map above. On each state card place three spots in the location of the capital and two principal cities. Prepare a series of three cards about 2×3 inches for each of the states, and on each print the name of one of the three cities mentioned so that for each state there is a book of four cards, the plain outline card of the state, a card bearing the name of the capital, and a card for each of the two principal cities. Below the name of the city can be drawn an object, or a word which will indicate the approximate population of the city, by the Number Code. Make a similar set of four cards for each state, the state cards to be cut on the map outline, but not to have the name of the state on them; nothing but three spots in the location of the cities mentioned.
Some states can best be made in a group because of their comparative size. Vermont and New Hampshire can be on one card; Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island on another, and Maryland and Delaware another. Only three cities should be marked on the cards of these groups, always using the capitals of the states.
The state cards and the city cards should be shuffled separately, the state cards laid to one side as a draw pile, and the city cards divided among the players. The first player draws a state card and lays it on the table and has the first opportunity to play with it any city card he holds. The player to the left has the next turn, and so on, until someone has laid down the last of the three city cards belonging to this state card and takes the book. The one playing the last city card is entitled to the book and has the privilege of drawing the next state card. The one securing the largest number of books wins.
Any player playing a wrong city card on a state card must forfeit the card to the one who started with the state card.
This game requires that the players recognize the state by its outline and know the name of the capital and the two principal cities of the state, and of course, in which state each city card belongs.
The same game can be arranged for the countries of Europe, South America or any other continent. The card can bear the names of the capital, the principal river and mountain range, or the capital and two principal cities.