Most kids today can swipe through apps before they can tie their shoelaces. Yet there’s real value in teaching them the old-fashioned art of map reading and spotting landmarks. These skills aren’t outdated relics; they’re practical tools that build confidence and independence.

Why Maps Still Matter 

Paper maps force children to think differently about space and distance. Unlike GPS, which simply tells you where to turn, maps show the bigger picture. Your child sees how places connect to each other. They begin to understand why certain routes make sense.

This bird’s-eye view develops spatial thinking. Children learn to rotate images in their minds, estimate distances, and plan ahead. This helps develop cognitive abilities that help with maths, science, and everyday problem-solving.

Spotting and Using Landmarks

Teaching children to notice distinctive features around them transforms boring car journeys into learning opportunities. Point out the peculiar house with purple shutters, the bridge over the railway, or the hill with the radio mast on top.

Children naturally enjoy this kind of observation game. They start competing to spot familiar landmarks first. Soon they’re creating their own mental maps based on memorable features rather than street names they can’t yet read properly.

Foster carers often find landmark games particularly helpful when introducing foster children to new areas. These activities create positive associations with unfamiliar surroundings whilst building practical skills. 

Hands-On Learning Activities

Start small with your own street or local park. Draw simple maps together, marking important places like home, school, or the corner shop. Let your child add their own symbols and colours. This personalised approach makes abstract concepts concrete.

Try treasure hunts using maps you’ve created. Hide small treats around the garden and mark their locations. If you are a foster carer, you can use some of your fostering allowance to put towards treasure hunt supplies. Older children can follow more complex routes through the neighbourhood, always with appropriate supervision.

These activities feel like play, but they’re building serious capabilities. Children learn to orient themselves, follow sequences, and cross-reference what they see with what’s drawn on paper.

Building Real Independence

Children who understand their environment feel more secure exploring it. They develop backup plans when technology fails. They notice when something seems wrong with a route. Most importantly, they trust their own judgement rather than blindly following directions.

This confidence extends beyond navigation. Children learn they can solve problems by paying attention, thinking logically, and persisting when things get tricky. These lessons stick with them for life.

Balancing Old and New

You don’t need to ban GPS entirely. Modern tools can actually support traditional skills when used wisely. Satellite images help children understand how maps relate to real landscapes. Apps can verify routes they’ve planned on paper.

The trick is using technology to enhance learning rather than replace thinking. Let your child plan a route using a paper map, then check it against GPS. Discuss why the electronic version might suggest a different path.

Long-Term Benefits

Map reading and landmark recognition create observant, confident children who engage actively with their surroundings. They develop patience, attention to detail, and systematic thinking. In our rush-everywhere culture, these qualities become increasingly rare and valuable.

These skills also connect children to their local area in meaningful ways. They notice changes, appreciate local history, and develop a sense of place that GPS navigation simply can’t provide.

Teaching traditional navigation skills is about giving children tools they’ll use throughout their lives. These abilities build confidence, develop cognitive skills, and create young people who engage thoughtfully with the world around them. That’s worth far more than simply knowing which way to turn.