Giant-Size Outdoor Map
Map your own neighborhood—or anywhere you can imagine—and create a place to play on the playground at the same time.
1. With the class, make a list of features of a town or city such as the one where you live or go to school: restaurants, gas stations, swimming pool, parks, police station, stores, hospitals, and other buildings. Remember to include roads, signs, and bridges. Choose whether to map your local area, a city somewhere else in the world, or an imaginary urban environment.
2. In small groups, choose neighborhoods to represent. Each team takes a different section of town. Sketch maps of each area on roll paper with Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils. Try to include everything your group can think of that might appear on a map. Review the work of each group and figure out a way to coordinate the maps to create a giant drawing on the playground.
3. Find a large outdoor area on which to make a detailed map. With Crayola 3-D Sidewalk Chalk, the colors will "pop" most on a dark surface such as asphalt.
4. Plan how to coordinate sections using the same scale so all parts fit together. You may find that starting with streets works best. Design the map. To create the best 3-D effects, leave a small black space showing between each chalk color. Place cool colors such as blue, purple, and green near warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange for maximum 3-D depth. Try on the glasses as you draw to see the effects.
5. Label landmarks and street names. Add a compass rose to show the map’s orientation. When the map is complete, take a stroll through your town. Add more details before the rain washes your city away!
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Outdoor Crafts—Choose safe outdoor areas, away from traffic and dangerous equipment. Close adult supervision is required.
- Research various architectural styles of buildings, such as Colonial, Victorian, and modern.
- Invent games that can be played in the mini-city, such as a scavenger hunt and Red Light/Green Light.
- For children with mobility challenges, consider using a computer drawing program or working in pairs.
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