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Navigate with a chart

Navigate with a chart
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Create a simple map using a compass, landmarks, and a scale; practice following directions and navigating a short outdoor route with friends.

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Step-by-step guide to navigating with a chart

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Maps and Directions | Types of Maps | Cardinal Directions | Video for Kids

What you need
Adult supervision required, clipboard or hard surface, coloring materials, magnetic compass, measuring tape, paper, pencil, ruler, sticky notes or small flags

Step 1

Choose a safe outdoor area to map with an adult and get ready for a mini adventure.

Step 2

Place your paper on the clipboard so you have a flat surface to draw on.

Step 3

Put a dot near the bottom of the paper and label it Start.

Step 4

Walk 10 normal steps and measure that distance with the measuring tape to find your average step length.

Step 5

Make a scale on your paper using your step length for example write 1 cm = 2 steps.

Step 6

Stand at the Start spot and use your compass to point toward the first landmark.

Step 7

Write the compass heading you found next to the Start dot on your map.

Step 8

Count the steps from Start to the landmark and write that number on your map.

Step 9

Draw a simple symbol for the landmark at the correct direction and distance using your ruler and scale.

Step 10

Repeat finding a compass direction counting steps and drawing symbols for at least three more landmarks.

Step 11

Use your compass to draw a north arrow so your map matches real north.

Step 12

Color each landmark and write clear labels so friends can read your map.

Step 13

Lead a friend along the route by following the compass headings and counting steps to practice navigation.

Step 14

Fix any mistakes you find and update your map so it becomes even better.

Step 15

Share your finished map and a photo of your navigation adventure 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!?

I don’t have a clipboard, measuring tape, or a physical compass—what can I use instead?

Use a hardcover book as a flat clipboard, a length of string or ribbon marked every 10 steps to measure step length, and a compass app on a phone to find headings for the 'Stand at the Start spot' and landmark steps.

What should I do if my compass points seem wrong or my step counts don’t match the map?

Move at least a few meters from metal or electronics that can affect your compass, repeat 'Walk 10 normal steps and measure that distance with the measuring tape' to re-calculate your average step length, and mark counted steps on the ground before drawing with your ruler and scale.

How can I adapt this navigation activity for younger or older children?

For younger kids, shorten the route, use stickers for drawing symbols, and have an adult hold the clipboard, while older kids can add more than three landmarks, record exact compass headings, and convert step-based scale into centimeters for finer measurements.

How can we make the finished map more interesting or useful after coloring and labeling landmarks?

Enhance the map by adding a legend and scale bar, gluing small photos of each landmark, laminating the paper, and then 'Lead a friend along the route' to test and refine the map before sharing the photo on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to navigate with a chart

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST - Cardinal Directions for Kids | Learn Directions for Children the Easy Way

3 Videos

Facts about map reading and compass navigation for kids

📏 A map scale of 1:10,000 means 1 unit on the map equals 10,000 units in real life (so 1 cm on the map = 100 m in the real world).

🏞️ Natural landmarks like hills, rivers, and big trees have guided travelers for thousands of years and are great anchor points for simple maps.

🧭 The magnetic compass was used by Chinese sailors by the 11th century to help navigate open seas.

🗺️ The word "map" comes from the Latin word "mappa," meaning a cloth — early maps were often drawn on cloth or animal hide.

🏃‍♀️ Orienteering began in Scandinavia as training for the military and became a competitive sport where people race using a map and compass.

How do I set up a simple navigation map activity using a compass, landmarks, and a scale for kids?

Choose a safe outdoor area and mark a clear start and finish. Show kids how a compass points north and teach simple bearings (north, east, etc.). Walk together to pick 4–6 landmarks and sketch them on paper. Decide a scale (e.g., 1 cm = 2 m) and measure distances with a tape or steps. Draw a basic map with a compass rose, label landmarks, and create simple direction cards. Finish with groups following the map while an adult supervises and checks progress.

What materials do I need to make a kid-friendly map and navigation chart with a compass and landmarks?

Gather a basic compass (or compass app), plain paper or clipboards, pencils and colored markers, a ruler or tape measure, string for measuring steps, stickers or stamps for landmarks, cones or flags to mark points, and printed direction cards. Optional: laminated maps, a simple key legend, binoculars, and a small first-aid kit. Make sure compasses are child-safe and always supervise outdoor use.

What ages are suitable for a compass and landmark navigation activity for children?

This activity adapts well across ages: preschoolers (4–6) can do picture maps and follow simple pictorial directions with close adult supervision. Elementary kids (7–10) can learn basic compass points, scales, and short routes. Older children (11–14) can work with bearings, measured distances, and plan routes in small teams. Always match complexity to attention span and skill level and provide safety rules and adult oversight for younger participants.

What are the benefits of teaching kids navigation using a compass, landmarks, and a simple map?

Map and compass activities build spatial awareness, problem-solving, and basic math skills (scales and measuring). They encourage teamwork, communication, confidence, and outdoor play. Children learn to observe landmarks, follow directions, and make simple plans — useful for orientation and safety. The activity also fosters patience and decision-making; adapt difficulty to challenge kids while keeping it fun and supervised for safety.
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