Maps with a key and a compass

Ages 6 to 8 Read together, then try alone · about 25 minutes

Read together

A compass shows the four main directions: north, east, south and west.

A compass needle is a small magnet that points to magnetic north.

A map has a key that explains its symbols, and often a compass rose that shows direction.

Do it

1. Use a real compass or a phone compass with a grown-up. Find north. Then say where east, south and west are.
2. Draw a map of your garden, a park or a room. Add a compass rose and a key with at least five symbols.
3. Hide a treasure on the map and write directions: “walk five steps north, three steps east”.
4. Follow another person's directions to find their treasure.

Talk about it

• Which way is north from here?
• What symbols did you put in your key?

For the grown-up

A magnetic compass needle points to the Earth's magnetic north, which is close to, but not the same as, the geographic North Pole. Keep magnets and metal objects away from the compass when using it.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Environmental Information, on the Earth's magnetic field and magnetic north
• National Geographic Society, MapMaker and education resources on map skills

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.