How to teach kids map reading and compass, by The Map Reading Company on YouTube. 21 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 21 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Draw a simple map of one familiar room with your child. Mark the door, window and a few furniture items, and talk about what each colour and shape means.
Take the map into the room and ask your child to walk from one marked item to another using only the drawing. Praise them when they arrive.
Move outside and set up nine objects in a 3x3 grid, about a step apart. Label the four sides North, South, East and West.
Draw a simple map of the grid and mark where each object sits. Ask your child to follow a short route you draw on the map.
Make the routes longer and add turns. Let your child draw a route for you to follow so they practise reading and writing maps.
Show a real map of your local area and find landmarks you both know, such as a shop, park or your street. Point out the map key and scale.
Take the real map outside and follow a short, easy route together, checking the map at each corner.
Hand your child a compass. Show how the red needle points north, then turn the bezel to set a simple bearing and walk toward a chosen object.
Combine map and compass on a short walk: pick a target, set the bearing, then check the map to confirm the direction.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep sessions short and stop while your child is still enjoying it, since young kids learn best through play.
Start with places your child knows well so the map makes sense before you introduce new ground.
Let your child lead sometimes and draw their own routes to build confidence.
Check the compass away from metal fences, cars and phones, which can pull the needle off north.
Questions
What age can a child start learning map reading?
Most children can enjoy simple room maps and grid games from around five or six. Add a compass once they can follow a drawn route reliably, often around seven or eight.
Do I need a real compass to start?
No. The room map and nine-object grid game teach direction and map symbols without one. Add a baseplate compass when your child is ready for bearings.
How long should each session last?
Aim for 15 to 30 minutes. Short, frequent practice beats one long lesson, and you can repeat the same game with new routes.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
