Map Skills Worksheets

What children practise

The set moves from familiar places and picture maps to simple grids, map symbols, routes and direction words. Younger children can match pictures, trace paths and identify what is near, far, left or right. Older children can use a key, read coordinates, follow compass directions and answer questions about towns, landmarks or a neighbourhood. The activities work well beside our GK worksheets for wider general knowledge practice. Choose pages that match your child's reading and maths level rather than using age alone.

Simple ways to use the worksheets

At home, begin with a short talk about the route from your home to a nearby shop, park or school. Ask your child to draw two landmarks and add a path between them. In class, place a few safe classroom objects on a table and let children make a small map with a key. Partners can take turns giving directions such as move two squares north or turn left at the tree. Use crayons for landmarks and a pencil for routes, then ask children to explain how they found the answer.

Help with common map mistakes

Children often mix up left and right, start from the wrong place, or follow a route without checking each turn. Point to the starting mark first and have your child say each instruction aloud before drawing. A map key can also be confusing, so compare one symbol with the real object it represents. Remind children that a map is a simple view from above, not a detailed drawing of every object. For older children, check that they use the compass rose and read coordinates in the correct order.