4 Easy Ways to Memorize the 50 States and Capitals

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Knowing all 50 states and capitals can seem daunting, but it isn’t with these easy ways to memorize the 50 states and capitals. Perfect for all ages.

Memorize the 50 States and Capitals

Did you memorize all 50 states and capitals when you were in elementary school?

During my Senior year in high school, our Political Science teacher gave us a quiz every Friday. It was simply a blank map. We had to write in all 50 states. Sounds easy, right? 

I wish I had tried these tips back then. At least now I have them for my kids.

This is one way we are going to beat the Summer Slump this year. Using these tools, especially the 50 States and Capitals Flashcards, we are going to learn all fifty states, where they are located on the map, and what their capitals are.

Couple it with a few roadschooling trips with a summer schedule to avoid summer temper tantrums, and I will count the summer a success.

Wish me luck!

What Grade Do Kids Learn States and Capitals?

While it depends on the state rubric, typically kids learn states and capitals in the 4th Grade. It can be as early as 3rd grade or even 5th grade. In high school, my Political Science teacher would quiz us each week to make sure we knew where all of the states were located on the map.

It’s never too late to learn states and capitals!

What Is The Fastest Way to Memorize Capitals?

It’s going to depend on the person, but the fastest way I’ve found to memorize capitals and the states they are within is through song. There is a fun one down below!

It might also help to visualize the states with their neighbors.

States in Geographical Sections

New England States – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

Middle Atlantic States – Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

Southeastern States – Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia

South Central States – Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas

North Central States – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

Rocky Mountain States – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

Pacific States – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington

4 Ways to Memorize the 50 States and Capitals

Children learn in different ways. While one may thrive using flashcards, another may learn better writing out the map multiple times, while someone else learns better through song.

You know your child and their learning style best. Use these suggestions and build upon them.

1. How to Memorize the 50 States and Capitals with Flashcards

We are kicking it old school with these flashcards. They are great though. I printed them using the double-sided feature on our printer and they printed with the name and capital on one side and the state on the other. The first try! I was very excited.

Memorize all 50 states and their capitals printable optin graphic

State Flashcards Printable Free

While I know my Kindergartener can’t read the words, we can work on them together and by the end of the Summer, she should be able to read the state names and capitals, if not recognize them. I have no doubt my 2nd, 3rd, and 5th graders will be able to read them. I may have to help with pronunciation though.

2. Memorize the 50 States and Capitals Through Song

Do you ever feel like you live in a musical? Is that just our house? My kids love music. Anything that I can put to music, they pick up quickly. There are several different songs I found online to help with memorizing states and capitals through music, here are a couple:

3. Concentration

Printing out the map in the States and Capitals Flashcard PDF would be a great start.

One side is filled in and the other isn’t. Study one side and then practice on the other. We’re kicking it old school with that one.

The printable also includes a states and capitals map to help make learning easy.

4. Visualization Tricks to Learn States and Capitals

One of the ways to memorize anything is through visualization. 

Again, this won’t work with everyone, but you won’t know if you don’t try it. It’s best to come up with your own visualizations, it helps you remember better, but everyone has to start somewhere.

I love the pictures and visualizations on this lesson that boasts you can learn the states and capitals in an hour.

What Are the 50 States and Capitals?

  1. Alabama – Montgomery
  2. Alaska – Juneau
  3. Arizona – Phoenix
  4. Arkansas – Little Rock
  5. California – Sacramento
  6. Colorado – Denver
  7. Connecticut – Hartford
  8. Delaware – Dover
  9. Florida – Tallahassee
  10. Georgia – Atlanta
  11. Hawaii – Honolulu
  12. Idaho – Boise
  13. Illinois – Springfield
  14. Indiana – Indianapolis
  15. Iowa – Des Moines
  16. Kansas – Topeka
  17. Kentucky – Frankfort
  18. Louisiana – Baton Rouge
  19. Maine – Augusta
  20. Maryland – Annapolis
  21. Massachusetts – Boston
  22. Michigan – Lansing
  23. Minnesota – St. Paul
  24. Mississippi – Jackson
  25. Missouri – Jefferson City
  26. Montana – Helena
  27. Nebraska – Lincoln
  28. Nevada – Carson City
  29. New Hampshire – Concord
  30. New Jersey – Trenton
  31. New Mexico – Santa Fe
  32. New York – Albany
  33. North Carolina – Raleigh
  34. North Dakota – Bismarck
  35. Ohio – Columbus
  36. Oklahoma – Oklahoma City
  37. Oregon – Salem
  38. Pennsylvania – Harrisburg
  39. Rhode Island – Providence
  40. South Carolina – Columbia
  41. South Dakota – Pierre
  42. Tennessee – Nashville
  43. Texas – Austin
  44. Utah – Salt Lake City
  45. Vermont – Montpelier
  46. Virginia – Richmond
  47. Washington – Olympia
  48. West Virginia – Charleston
  49. Wisconsin – Madison
  50. Wyoming – Cheyenne

50 States and Capitals Resources

Printing FAQs

I’ve had a couple of individuals email asking why the format isn’t printing for them. I’ve tried replicating the issue and can’t seem to figure out the issue.

Here’s how I print them from our home laserjet printer:

The PDF is 20 pages. I print the first two pages individually and not double-sided.

For the remaining 18 pages, I select pages 3-20 to print.

Scale to fit (96%) and Print Entire Image.

See image below to see printer settings.

4 Easy Ways to Memorize the 50 States and Capitals 2

I hope that helps!

What method helped you learn the 50 U.S. States and Capitals?

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9 Comments

      1. Do you happen to see a yellow box? Once you put your email in the box, you should be sent the printable! Let me know if that works!!

    1. Hi! I’ve been trying to replicate what you mentioned but can’t seem to make that happen. I added a print FAQ section with a screenshot of my printer settings. I hope that helps!

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