Latitude and Longitude for Kids

Where are you right now? One way to find your location is by using longitude and latitude. Be inspired by Arctic explorer Matthew Henson and make your own longitude and latitude map of the world.

Represent the lines of latitude and longitude around the Earth with a few simple craft supplies. We love do-able and simple earth science activities for kids!

Longitude and Latitude Activity Set Up

Supplies:

• Template (see below)
• Paper plate
• String
• Tape
• Glue
• Scissors

Instructions:

STEP 1: Print out the earth template. Cut out.

STEP 2: Glue or tape the earth to the back of the paper plate.

STEP 3: Tape a string to the back of your plate and extend it around the line marked ‘equator.’

STEP 4: Repeat for the line marked ‘prime meridian.’

STEP 5: Now glue strings along each latitude and longitude lines, fastening the latitude lines on the back of the plate, and gathering the longitude strings at the top and bottom of the paper plate and glue.

STEP 6: Add the ‘north pole’ and ‘south pole’ labels to the top and bottom of your earth.

What Is Latitude And Longitude?

Latitude and longitude are ways to locate a place on Earth. Longitude tells us how far east or west a place is from the Prime Meridian.

The Prime Meridian line of longitude passes through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, and is used as a starting point for measuring longitude.

The’ North Pole’ is at the top of the earth where the lines all meet, and the’ South Pole’ is at the bottom of the Earth.

Latitude tells us how far north or south a place is from the equator. The equator is a circle halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole, dividing the Earth into the northern and southern hemispheres. It is used as the starting point for measuring latitude.

Who Is Matthew Henson?

Matthew Henson was an African American explorer who accompanied Robert Peary on seven voyages to the Arctic over nearly 23 years. They spent a total of 18 years together on expeditions.

When Henson was about 13, he left home and went to work on a sailing ship. In 1887, he became an assistant to Robert Peary, a young naval officer who had already made one trip to the Arctic.

Henson reached the North Pole as a member of Peary’s expedition to the Arctic in 1909. He didn’t receive credit for his achievements because of racial prejudice toward African Americans, but later in his life, he did gain some recognition.

More Fun Earth Science Activities

When you finish this longitude and latitude activity, why not explore more earth science with one of these ideas below. You can find all our earth science activities for kids here!

Make a map of the ocean floor.

Explore the United States with geography scavenger hunts.

Explore the layers of soil with simple LEGO bricks or make an edible soil layers model.

Explore soil erosion for kids.

Learn all about volcanos with these volcano facts and even make your own volcano.

Make this fun plate tectonic model.