Island Drawing & Storytelling

Sharing with Friends and Family

A Mapmaker’s Adventure

Maps provide us with a variety of information. They help us find our way or explore. They provide and record visual information about the weather, vegetation, animals, population or statistics on many topics. Maps also tell us about our past history and help plan our future.

Is there a special place you like to play or take walks? Have you ever had an adventure in this special place? A Mapmaker’s Adventure combines map making and storytelling. You will make your own map and then together create an adventure to share.

Materials

  •  Graph paper

  •  Ruler

  •  Pencil and eraser

  • Colored pencils or crayons

Helpful Hints

Keep the map simple and limited to a small area about 50 – 100 square. Great detail is not needed just add structures and large vegetation. Consider how the key figures fit in relation to the border of the mapped area. Be consistent when pacing off an area so that your map stays proportionate.

Ready, Set Map

  1. Decide on an area to map. Keep it small enough to manage but large enough to have an adventure. Try mapping your yard, part of your favorite park or a school playground.
  2. Pace off the area. Decide on how many of your steps will equal how many squares on the graph paper. A 1:2 ratio, or for every step you take will equal two squares on the graph paper, is a good proportion.
  3. Make the outline of the map on the graph paper using the ratio.
  4. Draw in key figures such as trees, structures, walkways, play equipment, etc. You can use symbols for the key figures. Add trees, shrubs and plants. Use different symbols for different types of trees and plants.
  5. Color your map.
  6. Draw a symbol key along side the map. Mark the ratio at the bottom of the map.
  7. Create an adventure using one of the following scenarios:
    • If we were only six inches tall how would we safely get from one side of the mapped area to the other side? Remember to consider all of the dangers and obstacles to a six-inch tall person.
    • We have a special treasure to hide. Were shall we hide it in the mapped area? Now add the location and trail to the treasure on your map. Can another friend find the treasure using your map?

Parenting Tip

Consider the child’s age when deciding on the area to map. The key figure drawings can be simplified to be representative rather than realistic.

Resources

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