What's Near Home?
Make a neighborhood map and do a scavenger survey, noting plants, landmarks, and sounds to learn what's near your home.
Step-by-step guide to map your neighborhood and complete a scavenger survey
Step 1
Ask an adult for permission to go outside and explore the area near your home.
Step 2
Gather your materials and put them on your clipboard so they are easy to use.
Step 3
Choose a safe starting spot to be the center of your map like your front door or a mailbox.
Step 4
Walk to your chosen starting spot and stand there to begin.
Step 5
Put your paper on the clipboard and mark the starting spot with a dot.
Step 6
Write "You are here" next to your dot so you know where the map begins.
Step 7
Walk slowly along one route for about 10 minutes while looking carefully around you.
Step 8
Stop and write or sketch each plant you see so you remember what grows nearby.
Step 9
Pause and listen quietly for one minute at different spots and write down any sounds you hear.
Step 10
Draw simple symbols on your paper for landmarks you find like trees benches or signs.
Step 11
Measure distances between important landmarks using a ruler or by counting your steps and label those distances on the map.
Step 12
Make a map key that explains each symbol and the colors you will use.
Step 13
Colour and decorate your map and put any small finds into your bag with a note saying where you found them.
Step 14
Share your finished map and scavenger survey on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of a clipboard, ruler, or colored pencils if we don't have them?
If you don't have a clipboard use a piece of sturdy cardboard or a closed book to hold your paper, count steps instead of a ruler to label distances, and use regular pencils, markers, or crayon pieces to colour the map.
What should we do if we can't identify plants or miss sounds while doing the sketching and one-minute listening steps?
If you can't identify a plant while sketching or miss a sound during the one-minute listening stops, take a photo or a short voice recording with a phone and mark that spot on your paper so you can identify it later.
How can I adapt the activity for different age groups during the 10-minute walk and mapping steps?
For younger kids shorten the walk to 5 minutes, use stickers or simple stamps for symbols and adult help with the 'You are here' dot, while older kids can measure distances with a ruler, add compass directions, and write detailed notes to post on DIY.org.
How can we enhance or personalize our finished map and scavenger finds before sharing on DIY.org?
To enhance your map make a clear map key, decorate with colors tied to plant types, press a labeled leaf or small find into your bag with a note of where it was collected, and photograph the route for a slideshow to share on DIY.org.
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Facts about local ecology and neighborhood mapping
🧪 Citizen science lets kids' neighborhood surveys (like bird counts or plant lists) help real researchers.
🗺️ Maps use symbols, scale, and a legend to show places—your neighborhood map can use the same tricks!
🧭 Orienteering started in 19th-century Sweden and is a fun way to learn navigation using maps and landmarks.
🔊 The mix of sounds in a place is called a 'soundscape'—you can spot birds, traffic, and fountains just by listening.
🌳 Urban streets and parks often host dozens of plant species, from big trees to tiny wildflowers.
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