Make Your Own Map

Spatial Thinking
Hands-On

Children create a map of a city, a farm, or a carnival.

Children make a map on the floor using cutouts of different landmarks.

Print out multiple copies of the Landmark Cards (PDF), cut out the pieces, and laminate, if possible
With masking tape, create one or more large rectangular outlines on the floor (2 X 3 feet). This is the outline of the map. You may want to have more than one outline, depending on how many children are in the group.
Supply construction paper and scissors so children can create additional cutouts (roads or pathways, extra buildings, etc.), if they want.

Tell children they will work together to create a map of a farm, city, or carnival. Ask them to choose one of the three map themes. (If children want to combine two of the themes, e.g., city and carnival, that’s also an option.)
Before handing out the cutouts, ask them to name some landmarks that they might find on their map.
Show them the outline of their map on the floor and hand out the cutouts.
If there are other landmarks they’d like to add to their map, they can draw them on the paper and cut them out. (You might suggest adding roads or a path by cutting out strips of paper.)
When finished, have children describe where they put the landmarks on their maps, using spatial language.
Take a photo of their map when finished so they can view it later. Have them put away the landmarks for the next group.

15–20 min.

Small Group (2–4 children)

Learning Centers

Develop an initial idea that maps, diagrams, and models can be representations of real-world spaces
Use maps or diagrams to plan, describe, or follow paths or routes from one location to another
Use spatial language to describe the location of an object, person, or place