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.

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.

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:

• 50 States and Capitals Rap
• Tour the United States (with capitals)

• Animaniacs Wakko's 50 States and Capitals Song

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?

1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona
4. Arkansas
5. California
6. Colorado
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. Florida
10. Georgia
11. Hawaii
12. Idaho
13. Illinois
14. Indiana
15. Iowa
16. Kansas
17. Kentucky
18. Louisiana
19. Maine
20. Maryland
21. Massachusetts
22. Michigan
23. Minnesota
24. Mississippi
25. Missouri
26. Montana
27. Nebraska
28. Nevada
29. New Hampshire
30. New Jersey
31. New Mexico
32. New York
33. North Carolina
34. North Dakota
35. Ohio
36. Oklahoma
37. Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island
40. South Carolina
41. South Dakota
42. Tennessee
43. Texas
44. Utah
45. Vermont
46. Virginia
47. Washington
48. West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
50. Wyoming

What is the Capital of each 50 States?

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

What Are the Territories of The United States of America?

The U.S. has five permanently inhabited territories which include:

Puerto Rico

U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands in the North Pacific Ocean

American Samoa in the South Pacific Ocean.

Each territory is partially self-governing and exists under the authority of the U.S. government.

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.

I hope that helps!

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

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