Map Skills Treasure Hunt Activity
Learning Objective: Pupils can use a simple map with a key to navigate and find locations
About this resource
This engaging Map Skills Treasure Hunt activity provides a fun and interactive way for Year 3 pupils to develop their geographical understanding. Teachers can use this resource to help children practise navigating simple maps using a key, directly supporting the KS2 National Curriculum objective for pupils to use and interpret basic geographical information. It's a perfect hands-on activity to bring map skills to life in the classroom.
Map Skills Input
15 minutesTeach: compass directions (NESW), grid references, map key/legend, and scale.
Treasure Hunt Clues
20 minutesFollow 4 clues using grid references and compass directions to find the treasure location on the school map.
Extension
10 minutesCreate your own treasure hunt for a partner. Draw a map of your bedroom with a key.
Differentiation
SEN Support
Simplified map. Paired navigation. Compass direction cards.
EAL Support
Visual compass rose. Key vocabulary: North, South, grid, key.
Gifted & Talented
Use 6-figure grid references. Research how GPS works.
Key Vocabulary
Assessment Criteria
- Can use compass directions
- Can read simple grid references
- Can use a map key