Make a Map

Materials

• long, rectangular piece of cardboard
• newspaper (if working inside)
• blue, yellow, red, black, white paint
• paper plates for mixing paints
• paintbrushes
• camera

Directions

Tell children they are going to create a large map together of their (city/town).

1. Spread the cardboard on the ground. (This activity works indoors or outdoors. Spread newspaper on the floor under the cardboard if working inside.) 
2. Give children the painting supplies and let them make their map. Guide them in deciding what to feature: streets, sidewalks, houses, and trees—maybe a lake.
3. Since you are giving them just five colors, they will need to mix colors to get the colors they want for their city or town. As they work, ask:
   • What colors could you use to make a sidewalk or street?
   • What colors are you going to use for the houses?
   • What colors are you going to use for the trees and the grass?

Take photographs of the children working on the map to show later. 

Reflect and Share

Have the map and any photographs you took available so children can point to parts of it as you discuss. When the map is dry, let children play on it with toy people, cars, and trucks.   

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