Map Making

Hands-on activity for map making at home.
Hands-on activity for map making at home.

Did you know? The Tampa Bay History Center is the only cartographic center in the Southeastern United States! Our Touchton Map Library’s collection consists of thousands of maps, charts, atlases, and other cartographic materials

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STEP 1.  Discuss the different kinds of maps and how they have changed over the centuries. Point out features like the compass rose, map key, roads, and symbols. What is a cartographer?

STEP 2. Create a list of places someone might want to find in your city.

STEP 3.  Draw the roads in your city or neighborhood using a large sheet of white paper.

Map Making (step 3)
Map Making (step 3)

STEP 4. With colored paper, stickers, and glue, create the buildings, houses, and trees that line the streets of your city or neighborhood. 

Map Making (step 4)
Map Making (step 4)

STEP 5.  Finally, label your map our using the list created in STEP 2. 

Map Making (step 5)
Map Making (step 5)

Congratulations on creating your map! YOU are now an official cartographer!