Globes can be used as a wonderful decoration or an accurate teaching tool. Any way you use them, they are worth having in your home. We have brought together both academic globes for you and your children to learn about the world and beautiful pieces of art for you to brighten your day with.
Shifu Orboot Augmented Reality Interactive Globe
Use your phone or tablet to enhance your experience
One of the first things I love about the globe is the lack of country borders. This interactive globe can be augmented with an iPhone, iPad, or and Android device and informs children of the Geography, History, and Environmental Science behind the area.
The globe does come with a set of stickers for you to add country flags if you want to, but I like the focus on the world as a whole, rather than how humans have divided it up.
USA Toyz LED Illuminated Globe
Check out the constellations as well as countries
This globe is a lot more like the globes I had when I was a child, but with the added upgrade of LEDs. When in the dark this globe shows you the constellations as they appear in the night sky over the countries on the globe. Well, as best they can with the room they have.
I really like the idea of a night light and globe all rolled into one.
Estefanlo Floating Globe
A beautiful desk sculpture
Not all Globes need to be educational, they can be made to look great too. This black globe uses magnets to create a floating sphere inside an LED lamp. It has a sleek, modern look to it that would look good on an office desk, and there is even a gold version if you want it to look even more decadent.
LeapFrog Magic Adventures Globe
Complete with BBC stories
Like the staff pick, this globe is a more futuristic taken on the traditional globe. Leapfrog has partnered with the BBC to produce over 600 short videos that can be accessed by pointing at the globe with the attached wand.
The globe also has a small 2.7-inch display built-in to watch the videos, making it an all-in-one learning tool.
Waypoint Geographic Floor Stand Normandy Globe
This would be the centerpiece of your living space
If you are looking to up your globe game to the highest level this large table globe maybe the thing for you. The globe is highly detailed and accurate to the current world map and sits in a 36-inch tall pedestal to really show it off.
This is not a cheap buy, but sometimes that's ok. If you are going to have this as a centerpiece, it'll be worth the cost.
TCP Global 12" Inflatable World Globes
A pack of 3 for all the fun
If you are a teacher looking to make Geography fun? This pack of three inflatable globes will add a lot of enjoyment to any classroom. Or, if you are just looking for beach balls, you can pick these up too. Either way you should definitely hold it like you are atlas holding up the world.
The whole world in your hands
While it may feel that having a physical globe isn't needed in this world of Google Maps and cellphones, having an object to hold in your hand can be a powerful thing. Being able to see the size of continents and countries as they exist in relation to each other can make a lot of difference in how you perceive the world.
I really like the interactive globe from Shifu Orboot for the way it embraces the latest technology in augmented reality to enhance the user's experience in a meaningful way. I know my app obsessed kids would love to use this globe more and to learn about the world around them.
If you are looking for something a little more traditional, but with some hidden surprises then the LED day/night globe is just the right mix for you. Seeing the constellations in the dark is always a thrill for me, someone who loves the stars.
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