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Make a paper compass rose and add arrow points for north, south, east, and west. Learn directions, measurement, and labeling skills safely.

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Step-by-step guide to make a paper compass rose and add arrow points for north, south, east, and west

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What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials, eraser, paper, pencil, ruler, scissors

Step 1

Gather all the materials and sit at a clear table with room to work.

Step 2

Fold the paper in half lengthwise and press the crease flat.

Step 3

Fold the paper in half the other way and press the crease flat so the creases form a plus sign.

Step 4

Open the paper flat and put a small pencil dot where the two creases cross to mark the center.

Step 5

Use the ruler to draw a straight vertical line through the center dot following the crease.

Step 6

Use the ruler to draw a straight horizontal line through the center dot following the other crease.

Step 7

Measure 6 cm (about 2½ inches) from the center along each line and put a small dot at each measured point.

Step 8

At each dot draw an arrowhead pointing outward so the four arrows point away from the center.

Step 9

Draw a circle around the center where the lines meet to make the middle of the compass rose.

Step 10

Label the top arrow N the right arrow E the bottom arrow S and the left arrow W to show North East South and West.

Step 11

Colour and decorate your compass rose using your colouring materials to make it bright and easy to read.

Step 12

Take a photo and share your finished compass rose on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don’t have a ruler or colouring supplies?

If you don't have a ruler, use the straight edge of a book or a credit card to draw the vertical and horizontal lines through the center, and swap markers, crayons, or cut-out coloured paper for colouring materials when you decorate the compass rose.

My arrows aren’t evenly placed — how do we fix that?

Re-open the paper flat, reconfirm the small pencil center dot where the creases cross, then carefully re-measure 6 cm from the center along each drawn line with the ruler before marking the dots and drawing the arrowheads so the four arrows point outward evenly.

How can we change the activity for younger or older kids?

For younger children, have an adult fold the paper and mark the 6 cm dots so they can focus on drawing arrowheads and colouring, while older kids can use a protractor to add intermediate direction points (NE, SE, etc.) and label them before decorating.

What are good ways to extend or personalise the finished compass rose?

Punch a small hole through the circle at the center, attach a brad or paper fastener with a paperclip or cardboard needle so it can spin, laminate or sticker the coloured compass rose, and then take a photo to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make a paper compass rose and add arrow points for north, south, east, and west

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Facts about map skills and directions

✏️ Making and labeling a compass rose is a fun way for kids to practice measurement, symbols, and map-reading skills.

🧲 A magnetic compass needle lines up with Earth's magnetic field and points toward magnetic north, not always true north.

🌍 Magnetic declination (the difference between magnetic north and true north) changes depending on where you are on Earth.

🗺️ Medieval mapmakers often painted a fleur-de-lis or fancy symbol on the compass rose to mark north.

🧭 The traditional compass rose has 32 points — sailors used many more directions than just N, S, E, and W!

How do I make a paper compass rose and add arrow points for north, south, east, and west?

To make a paper compass rose, draw a circle on cardstock and mark the center. Use a ruler to draw a vertical line (north–south) and a horizontal line (east–west) crossing at the center. Add arrowheads at each end and label N, S, E, W. Optionally divide into more points with a protractor, color-code directions, then punch a small center hole and attach a paper fastener and a lightweight pointer so the rose can rotate.

What materials do I need to make a paper compass rose?

You'll need sturdy paper or cardstock, a pencil, eraser, ruler, and a circular template or compass to draw the circle. A protractor is optional for accurate angles. Also gather scissors, markers or crayons, and a paper fastener (brad) or split pin for a rotating pointer. Optional extras: colored paper, stickers, glue, a straw or cardboard strip for a movable arrow, and child-safe scissors. Supervise small parts like brads.

What ages is making a paper compass rose suitable for?

This activity suits children about 5 and up. Preschoolers (3–5) can join with large pre-cut shapes and adult help. Elementary kids (5–9) can practice measuring, drawing, and labeling with supervision for scissors and protractors. Older children (9–12+) can make precise, multi-point roses and rotating needles. Always supervise young children when using scissors, hole punches, or small fasteners.

What are the benefits and safety tips for making a paper compass rose?

Making a paper compass rose teaches spatial awareness, basic geometry, measurement, direction-finding, labeling skills, and fine motor control. It supports map-reading and outdoor navigation practice. Safety tips: use child-safe scissors, blunt-tipped brads, and supervise gluing and hole-punching. Keep small parts away from children under 3. Variations include a floor-sized compass, adding a magnetic needle, or turning it into a directional scavenger hunt.
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