Navigating Amazing Maps

Spatial Thinking
Hands-On

Children use a map to help Gracie find the shortest route to the museum.

Children navigate the city streets of a maze — watch out for road blocks!

Print out multiple copies of Amazing Map #1 (PDF), enough for each child
Print out 1–2 copies of Amazing Map #2, #3, and #4. Laminate or cover each map with clear contact paper so that you can reuse them.

Give Amazing Map #1 to each child. Tell them that they are going to help Gracie get to the museum before it closes. Say: Gracie needs your help finding the shortest route on the map so she can get there fast.
Have children identify the roads and landmarks on the map as well as their starting point (Gracie) and ending point (the museum). Point to a road block and explain that this means the road is blocked and they will have to take a different route.
Ask children to trace a route to the museum with their fingers first. Then they can use a marker/crayon to draw their route along the streets.
- Have children compare their routes. Ask: Which route do you think is the shortest? Why do you think that?
Invite children to continue drawing routes to the museum using the laminated Amazing Maps #2, #3, and #4 maps and washable markers. Each map has more roadblocks that make it harder to find a way to the museum.

10–15 min.

Small Group (2–4 children)

Learning Centers

Use maps or diagrams to plan, describe, or follow paths or routes from one location to another
Use maps or diagrams to determine direction and distance between locations
Compare the distance of paths to identify shortest routes