carrieg

Play a game with your grandkids & teach how to read a map, a real paper map. Pick a town 300-400 miles from home & have them give you 2 different routes there. How many miles is each route, how many rest areas can they stop at on the interstate, how to figure mileage based on exit #s, what’s the speed limit. I know at least 2 guys who love to read atlases. There’s a lot of interesting info on them. If you don’t have a state map, they sell them at gas stations. LOL They may find out that mapquest or google maps don’t always offer the best routes! At some point in their schooling they will need to know how to read a legend.

When we came home from a ruined camping vacation, we couldn't use overdrive gear on our pickup. I had to use our atlas to find our route home by avoiding interstates. Saw the beautiful Ohio countryside on our way home to Michigan. It was a darn good thing I knew how to read the lines on the maps!

Just a thought while the kiddos are home over Christmas. :-)

grannie cheechee

Our DGD is meeting my DH today, and he was telling her which highway to use to meet in Al.. LOL She told him her cell phone says another number for the highway. He told her to buy a map. She then said, but a map doesn't tell me which way to turn. I have know idea when and where they will meet up. College grads!!!!!!!!!!!

barri1

I love the idea of teaching them to use the maps.. I have a GPS in the car, but also have maps.. The kids are so into the computers, it is nice when they have to learn other ways to do things. Instead of buying the kids of coworkers electronic toys, I bought things that make them think..

mighty

That sounds like a great idea!!

MaryMo

Great idea for those down times with the kids! I tried this several years ago when I was substituting with a class of 5th graders ..... they had no idea how to read a map and it turned out to be a time-filling disaster. I finally gave up!

nativetexan

I happened to go to Office Depot for printer ink and passed their maps. all sorts and sizes. I've always loved maps!!

BevF

I like to stop at points of interest too. There can be a lot, so it's good to search for information on them and select a few. When we came back from SC I made a point to stop at the The Hermitage since my son had done a report on Andrew Jackson in school. Both boys loved it.
You have a great idea! GPS doesn't always work.

MaryMo

State highway departments publish state highway maps .... usually free.

Jan in VA

Reading a map should be one of the life skills ALL children learn......like sewing on a button, changing a tire, checking the oil in the car, writing a check and balancing a checkbook, and respecting ones elders.

lynnie

i'm amazed at how many people can't read a map. it's astonishing.
I guess they're the same people that can't count back change.
I remember learning it in grade school. now they don't even teach
script anymore. hey, we can write in script, and the younger generation
won't know what we're saying. sad.