World Map Scavenger Hunt Game
Give your child clues to find countries, oceans, and continents on a world map. A geography adventure that builds map-reading skills and global awareness.
What You'll Need
- 1World map, atlas, or globe
- 2Small sticky dots or stickers for marking
- 3Paper for writing clues (optional)
What You'll Need
A world map, atlas, or globe
Small sticky dots or stickers for marking discoveries
Paper for writing clues (optional)
How to Play
Spread the map out and start with big things: "Find Africa! It looks like a triangle."
Find oceans: "The Pacific is the biggest blue area on the map."
Give clue-based challenges: "Find the boot-shaped country." (Italy)
Mark each discovery with a sticky dot.
Explore what you find: "Brazil covers almost half of South America!"
Connect to real life: "Your bananas come from Ecuador — where is that?"
Let your child create clues for you to solve.
Why It Works
Maps are the original data visualization, and learning to read them is a fundamental skill. A scavenger hunt turns passive map-gazing into active searching, which builds spatial thinking, observation, and geographic knowledge simultaneously. Connecting map locations to real life — where food comes from, where family members live — makes geography personally meaningful.
Tips
Start with a simple map. Too much detail overwhelms beginners.
If you have a globe, use it alongside a flat map. The distortion between the two sparks great questions.
Connect geography to interests: "You love soccer — the World Cup was in Qatar. Find it!"
Try "atlas reading before bed" as a routine. Flip to a random page and explore a new country each night.
Label a blank map together over time, adding countries as you learn them. It becomes a living project.
Age Adaptation Tips
School-age kids can take more ownership. Let them lead the activity, experiment with variations, and explain what they learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: world map, atlas, or globe, small sticky dots or stickers for marking, paper for writing clues (optional).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 5-8 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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