About Map Race
Knowing that a city exists and knowing where it is are different pieces of knowledge, and school geography often delivers the first without the second. This game asks a child to place cities into their regions under time pressure, which forces the mental map to become specific rather than vague.
What this game teaches
- Locating cities within their correct regions
- Building a mental map rather than a list of names
- Working accurately under time pressure
- Regional boundaries and how places group together
- Competing constructively in two-player mode
How to play
- Choose solo or two-player mode and a time limit.
- City names appear one at a time.
- Place each in its correct region as quickly as you can.
- Scores are compared at the end of the round.
Before you start
A child should have seen a map of the regions involved and should recognise the city names. This is practice and consolidation, not first teaching.
For teachers
Two-player mode makes this a natural class competition, and the time pressure surfaces which places are genuinely known versus worked out slowly. Use the mistakes as the basis for the next map lesson.
For parents
Play the two-player mode with your child. Being beaten by a parent who then has to be taught the answer is unusually motivating.
Related games
- Flag Game — Class 3-8
- Angle Master Laser Puzzle — Class 4-8
- Alphabet Wheel — Class 1-3