Cubs Navigation Activities: Fun Ways to Learn Navigation

Navigation is one of those outdoor skills that becomes much easier when it’s taught through games.

Cubs can learn to recognise landmarks, follow routes, understand maps and begin using a compass without needing to start with complicated theory.

The key is to make navigation feel like an adventure rather than a classroom lesson.

A campsite, park, woodland or local area can become the setting for treasure hunts, challenges and exploration.

1. Map Treasure Hunt

Give each Six a simple map with several locations marked.

Their challenge is to follow the map and find the treasure.

The treasure could be a message, puzzle or small activity rather than a physical prize.

Start with a familiar area so Cubs can easily relate the map to the real world.

2. Map the Meeting Place

Ask Cubs to create their own map of the meeting place.

They can include doors, paths, buildings, trees and other obvious features.

Once they’ve finished, compare their maps.

Which features did they include?

Which details did they leave out?

This helps demonstrate that maps are simplified representations of real places.

3. Compass Direction Game

Introduce the four main compass directions:

North

East

South

West

Give Cubs a compass and let them find north.

Then call out directions and ask them to turn and face them.

Once they’re comfortable, add combinations such as:

“Face north, turn east, then face south.”

4. Follow the Arrow Trail

Create a route using arrows or other suitable markers.

Cubs follow the trail and look for the next marker.

At each point, they could complete a short challenge before continuing.

For example:

“At the next marker, identify three natural objects.”

5. Landmark Challenge

Take Cubs around a familiar area and choose several obvious landmarks.

A large tree.

A gate.

A building.

A bench.

A bridge.

Ask Cubs to navigate between them using simple instructions.

Gradually let the Cubs give the directions rather than the leader.

6. Grid Reference Game

Introduce the basic idea of grid references using a simple map.

Give Cubs a location and ask them to find it.

Start with a large grid and obvious features before moving onto more detailed maps.

You can turn it into a treasure hunt by marking clues at different grid references.

7. Route Planning Challenge

Give Cubs a simple map and a starting and finishing point.

Ask:

“Which route would you take?”

They can explain their choice.

Perhaps one route is shorter while another uses a clearer path.

This introduces the idea that navigation involves making decisions, not simply following instructions.

8. Compass Treasure Hunt

Create a short, supervised compass course.

Give Cubs simple directions such as:

“Walk a short distance north.”

“Turn east.”

“Find the marker.”

Keep distances short and the area clearly bounded.

The objective is to introduce the idea of using a compass to maintain direction.

9. Navigation Bingo

Create cards containing features Cubs might encounter.

A gate.

A footpath.

A tree.

A building.

A stream.

A bridge.

Cubs navigate around the area and mark each feature when they find it.

10. Map Symbol Match

Introduce some common map symbols.

Give Cubs cards showing symbols and cards showing the corresponding real-world features.

Can they match them?

Once they’re confident, take the game outside and ask them to find those features on an actual map.

11. Memory Walk

Take Cubs on a short route.

Ask them to pay attention to the turns and landmarks.

At the end, ask:

“What did we pass?”

“Where did we turn?”

“What was next to the path?”

It encourages Cubs to actively observe their route instead of simply following the leader.

12. Human Compass

Choose a central point.

Give Cubs directions such as:

“Walk north.”

“Turn west.”

“Face south.”

They can move around the area following the instructions.

For an extra challenge, let Cubs take turns being the person giving directions.

13. Photo Navigation

Take photographs of landmarks around your activity area.

Give Cubs the photographs and ask them to locate each one.

For a harder version, use close-up photographs showing only part of a landmark.

14. Navigation Relay

Set up several short navigation tasks.

One could involve map symbols.

Another could involve finding north.

Another could involve identifying a grid reference.

Another could involve following a route.

Cubs complete the stations as a team.

15. What’s the Best Way?

Give Cubs a map showing several possible routes.

Add simple information such as:

This path is closed.

This route crosses a stream.

This path is longer.

Ask Cubs to choose the safest and most sensible route.

It introduces the idea that good navigation involves considering the environment and conditions.

16. Orienteering Course

Set up a short beginner-friendly orienteering course.

Cubs follow the map and visit a series of checkpoints.

Keep the course compact and clearly supervised.

The emphasis should be on learning how the map relates to the ground rather than on speed.

17. Map Memory Challenge

Give Cubs a map for a short time.

Then remove it.

Ask them questions about what they saw.

“Where was the path?”

“Which direction was the campsite?”

“What was beside the river?”

It encourages them to study maps rather than simply glance at them.

18. Navigation Mystery

Create a fictional scenario.

“A message has been left somewhere in the campsite. The only way to find it is by following the map.”

Give Cubs a series of clues.

Each clue leads to another location.

The final location contains the mystery message.

19. Nature Navigation

Combine navigation with nature.

Give Cubs a route to follow and ask them to identify natural features along the way.

A large oak tree.

A stream.

A hedgerow.

A distinctive hill.

This helps Cubs understand that navigation isn’t just about maps and compasses — it’s also about recognising the landscape around you.

20. The Big Navigation Challenge

Bring several skills together into one adventure.

Cubs could start with a map, identify their location, find north, follow a route, locate checkpoints and solve a final clue.

Finish by asking them to explain how they knew where they were.

That final question is important.

Understanding why something worked is more valuable than simply reaching the finish.

Teach Maps From the Real World

Maps make much more sense when Cubs can see the things they’re looking at.

Start with somewhere they know.

Draw the meeting place.

Add the paths.

Add the buildings.

Then gradually introduce symbols and more detail.

Once Cubs understand the basic idea, introduce proper maps.

Introduce the Compass Gradually

There’s no need to overwhelm Cubs with bearings immediately.

Start with:

Find north.

Then:

Face north.

Then:

Turn east.

Eventually you can introduce more precise compass work when the Cubs are ready.

The important thing is building confidence first.

Let Cubs Give the Directions

One of the best ways to find out whether someone understands navigation is to ask them to explain it to somebody else.

Instead of saying:

“Turn left at the tree.”

ask:

“How would you tell your partner where to go?”

It makes Cubs think about landmarks, direction and clear communication.

Navigation Isn’t a Race

Some Cubs will naturally move faster than others.

Try not to make speed the main objective.

A Cub who carefully works out the correct route has learned something valuable, even if another team reaches the checkpoint first.

Focus on accuracy, decision-making and confidence.

Final Thoughts

Navigation is a fantastic Cub skill because it combines outdoor adventure with problem-solving.

Maps become treasure maps.

Compasses become adventure tools.

Landmarks become clues.

Routes become challenges.

By keeping activities practical and fun, Cubs can gradually develop the confidence they’ll need for more advanced navigation as they progress through Scouting.

🧭 THE BIG IDEA

Good navigation isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about knowing where you are, where you want to go and how to work out the safest way to get there.

Give Cubs plenty of opportunities to practise those skills and they’ll soon start seeing the outdoors in a completely different way.