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Map the past

Map the past
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Research local history, then draw and label a map showing how your neighborhood or town looked in the past using simple materials.

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Step-by-step guide to map the past

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What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials, eraser, old photos or printouts of maps (if available), paper, pencil, ruler, sticky notes

Step 1

Gather all your materials and put them on a clear workspace.

Step 2

Decide which one neighborhood block or small area you want to map.

Step 3

Choose a past year or era to show on your map.

Step 4

Ask an adult to help you find at least three sources about how the area looked in the past.

Step 5

Write five important features from your research on sticky notes, one feature per note.

Step 6

Use your pencil to draw a light outline of the streets or boundary of your chosen area.

Step 7

Place each sticky note on the outline where that feature belonged.

Step 8

Draw the buildings parks and roads in pencil where your sticky notes are placed.

Step 9

Remove the sticky notes so you can see your pencil drawings clearly.

Step 10

Label each building park or road with neat writing next to the drawing.

Step 11

Draw a small compass rose on one corner of the map.

Step 12

Draw a simple scale bar and write the scale (for example 1 cm = 50 m).

Step 13

Add a clear title at the top with the place name and the year or era.

Step 14

Color your map using your colouring materials and tidy any pencil lines with the eraser.

Step 15

Share your finished historical map 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 sticky notes or certain colouring materials?

Tear small squares from scrap paper and tape them lightly in place instead of sticky notes, and use crayons, markers, or cut colored paper if you don't have the exact colouring materials.

My pencil outline smudges when I remove the notes or color—how can I avoid ruining the map?

Draw the streets and boundaries very lightly with an HB pencil, take a photo of the sticky notes in place, then trace buildings and labels with a darker pencil or fine pen after removing the notes and clean stray lines with the eraser.

How can I adapt the activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids, choose one small block, use one adult source and write three big features on large sticky notes with crayons, while older children should find three or more primary sources, draw an accurate scale bar with a ruler, add a compass rose, and label five or more features neatly.

How can we extend or personalize our finished historical map?

Add a legend and a short timeline, glue printed historical photos or textured paper where the sticky notes were, make a tracing-paper overlay to show a different era, or write a one-paragraph description to share with your map on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to map the past

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Facts about local history and mapmaking

📸 Aerial photographs from the 1930s onward are a goldmine for seeing how towns and fields looked decades ago.

🧭 Early surveyors made maps using chains, compasses, and triangulation long before GPS existed.

🏠 Many street names (like Mill Lane or Orchard Street) preserve clues about what used to be in a neighborhood.

🗺️ Old maps sometimes included sea monsters, fanciful places, or decorative drawings to fill empty space.

🔎 Sanborn fire insurance maps often show building footprints, construction materials, and business types for past decades.

How do I make a Map the Past project (step-by-step)?

Start by choosing a small area—one street or block. Research using old photos, library archives, local history websites, and interviews with neighbors. Sketch a simple base map of streets and landmarks, then add historical details you found (old building names, parks, shops). Label dates and changes, include a legend and compass, and color or age the paper for an antique look. Finish by sharing findings with family or a class presentation.

What materials do I need to map how my neighborhood looked in the past?

You only need basic supplies: plain or poster paper, pencils, eraser, ruler, colored pencils or markers, glue or tape, and a notebook for notes. Optional: a camera or smartphone for current photos, printouts of historical photos or maps, sticky notes for interview reminders, and access to library or online archives. Most research can be done with a phone and free local resources with adult supervision.

What ages is the Map the Past activity suitable for?

This activity works for many ages: 6–8-year-olds can do simple drawing and record family stories with help; 9–12-year-olds can research old photos, label maps, and compare then-and-now; teens can dig into archives, create layered maps or timelines, and present findings. Adjust complexity, research depth, and supervision based on reading and interview skills.

What are the benefits of mapping a neighborhood's past and variations to try?

Mapping the past builds research, observation, and storytelling skills while fostering local history appreciation and community connection. It boosts map-reading and sequencing abilities and encourages interviews and critical thinking. Variations: make a digital map or slideshow, create a timeline poster, build a 3D model of past buildings, or record oral histories to pair with the map for a multimedia project.
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Map the past. Activities for Kids.