Grades 2–5
Follow the Directions
Follow north, south, east and west steps on a letter grid to spell a secret map word.
Social studies worksheet · Maps and cardinal directions
Make a Map With a Key
Draw a bird’s-eye map of a real place, add a compass rose and build a map key (legend) with your own symbols.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–5
- Time
- About 25 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Map skills, Cardinal and intermediate directions, Grids and coordinates, Map keys and scale
What kids do
“Draw a map of your bedroom, classroom or playground from above. Make a symbol for each thing and put it in the key.”
Printed on the sheet:
- My map (draw it from above, like a bird would see it)
- What it stands for
Words on this sheet
NWNESWSEMap keySymbol
Teacher tip
Show a real map key first so kids see how simple symbols can be.
How to use it
- Label north, south, east and west on the classroom walls before the sheet.
- Play a quick direction game: “Take two steps north.”
- Use finished sheets for a quick gallery walk or a partner share.
Watch for
Kids who think north means “up” on any page. Turn the map and talk about it.
Talk about it
- How would you give a friend directions to your house?
- How does this connect to where we live?
Take it further
Hide a treasure in the classroom and give directions to find it.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More maps and cardinal directions worksheets
Grades 1–3
Map Symbols: What Do They Mean?
Match 8 common map symbols (tent, H, airplane, picnic table, mountains, star, tree and railroad) to what they mean on a map key.
Grades 3–5
Around the Park: In-Between Directions
A 25-square park map for the intermediate directions: what is northeast of the statue, which way is the gate from the pond, and more.
Grades 3–5
How Far Is It? Using a Map Scale
Measure straight roads with a ruler on a map drawn to scale (1 inch = 10 miles) and work out the real distances between the farm, the town, the lake and the school.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.