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GPS Activities for Kids

GPS (global positioning system) devices open vast worlds to children and young people. No longer relegated to the military or the wealthy, this technology holds an air of mystery to which children are drawn. GPS devices identify the location of the holder's signal precisely so they are frequently used in mapping programs in cars or hand held computers. Most smart phones these days come with GPS software. There are also many handheld gadgets available which can be purchased for $100 to $1,000, or rented for as little as $25.

Young Children
- Even very young children can have fun with GPS. Simple mapping skills form naturally if a family takes a walk while looking at the screen of a GPS device. As they walk, ask "Where are we now?" and the child can check the screen. Identifying landmarks on the GPS map relative to the physical location is another exciting challenge in this simple game.
Older Kids
- Combining high-tech devices with low-tech activities can add a new twist to old favorites.
  
  Playing the game "Follow Me If You Can" is a way to understand how the global positioning system works, including information about the satellites in the system. A significantly more advanced form of "where are we" pairs or groups of children using the GPS devices to try and track and map, two-dimensionally, the path taken by the other child or group. Using the time stamps from the signals received on the GPS device, children can construct the location of the other child or group.
Any Age
- Caches of small treats and treasures are part of the fun.
  
  Probably the best known activity using GPS technology is geocaching. Geocaching is an ongoing treasure hunt for caches ("treasure boxes") that reaches nearly every country in the world with 430,000 caches. The caches are hidden in varying areas, from urban settings to rural farmland. Each cache contains a little toy or trinket, but it's the search experience that reels the kids in.
How Places Change
- Remote locations change over time in fascinating ways.
  
  For children interested in scientific observations, us a GPS device to monitor how places change over time. Choosing a specific location in a field, forest, or park, have child note the longitude and latitude using the GPS device. The activity should be repeated with some regularity for a period of time, using the GPS to make sure he's documenting the same location each time. Drawings, notes, photos and even audio recordings can be used to create a timeline.

Animals & Science