Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Kansas is a leading producer of beef cattle in the USA? Kansas is also first in the country in producing wheat. Other crops include corn, sugar beets, oats, and apples.

Use some high-quality beef to make these delicious gourmet hamburgers! Children especially love to form the hamburger patties – it’s sort of like playing with playdough!

KANSAS Grilled Swiss Cheeseburgers

What You Will Need:

• 1 pound Lean Ground Beef


• 2 tablespoons Ketchup


• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (have your kids say that three times fast!)


• 1/2 teaspoon Salt


• Dash Pepper


• 2 tablespoons Margarine


• 1 cup Fresh Mushrooms, washed and sliced


• 4 Hamburger Buns, split


• 3/4 cup Shredded Swiss Cheese


• Large Mixing Bowl


• Saucepan

What You Do:

• Stir the beef, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Mix well with your hands (kids LOVE this)!


• Shape the meat mixture into four 1″ thick burger patties and put them on a broiling pan.


• Preheat the broiler. Place the broiling pan about 4″ to 5″ from the heat element or flame. Broil about 8 minutes on each side until no pink meat remains. If you prefer, use your grill for this step.


• Using oven mitts, remove the pan from the oven. Allow the burgers to rest for about 10 minutes. Turn the broiler off.


• Meanwhile, preheat the frying pan on medium heat. Put the margarine in the pan and saute the mushrooms for about 3 to 4 minutes or until cooked through.


• Turn the broiler on again. Assemble the cooked burgers on another broiling pan by placing the burger on the bottom half of each bun. Top each burger with shredded cheese and mushrooms. Lay the top halves of the buns upside down on the broiling pan.


• Broil the assembled burgers and top halves of the buns just until the cheese melts and the rolls are lightly toasted.


• Serve and enjoy!

Kansas State Information – Click this link to learn more about Kansas attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Kansas Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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