Teaching children about compasses and geographical directions can be a tricky — but super important — concept to convey. While some people are born with a sharp sense of direction, others may need a little extra help grasping north from south and east from west. Whether your child already shows signs of falling into one camp over the other, it’s never too early (or too late!) to work on directional knowledge. We firmly believe that children learn best through play, and our Quads of Fun Junction tunnels provide the perfect space for doing just that!
Featuring four tunnels that connect to one central “junction,” the Quads of Fun provides a fantastic physical challenge that pairs seamlessly with north, south, east, and west.
Compasses, whether they’re magnetized or printed on paper, are a great starting place for understanding the difference between directions.
Using letters to delineate each of the four directions outside of the four tunnels can be a great way for kids to turn an abstract concept into a physical challenge.
In case your little one needs a lookout point to regain their sense of direction, the mesh junction is tall enough to stand up and gain a 360 degree view of their world.
Here are some other ways to build directional knowledge:
- While driving, ask your children which direction you are headed. Encourage them to make a mental note of any physical landmarks that they recognize as directional markers (for example: in the Los Angeles Area, the mountains are in the east, and the ocean is in the west).
- Go on a nature walk or hike and notice where the sun is located when you begin and where it ends up when you finish your adventure. The sun is an excellent way to determine location since it rises in the east and sets in the west.
- Make a game out of errands using the terms “north, south, east, west” in the same way one would play “Red Light, Green Light.” For example, ask your child to “head north” to pick up a loaf of bread and “head east” to grab a gallon of milk.
- Download our free printable compass to color and continue the conversation!