North by Northeast

Name and Purpose

North by Northeast introduces compass directions through active, full-body movement.
Players build spatial awareness and orienteering skills in a fun, low-pressure way.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 15-25 minutes | Open outdoor or indoor area with clear sight lines to landmarks

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Use the compass to identify north. Choose a clear landmark for each of the four cardinal directions.
Everyone gathers at the centre. Leader calls a direction; players move to that landmark.
The last player to arrive takes on a support role (score caller or corner watcher) for one round, then returns as a free runner.
After 4-5 rounds, introduce the four intercardinal points (NE, NW, SE, SW).
Debrief: what did players notice about using landmarks vs. relying on memory?

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Staff use the compass to identify north. A player volunteers to select the north landmark. Repeat for south, east, and west.
All players gather at the centre. Staff call one direction clearly and signal with a whistle.
Players move quickly to the landmark in that direction and touch it.
The last player to arrive takes on the ‘Corner Caller’ support role for one round: they call the next direction alongside staff. They return as a free runner in the following round.
After 4-5 rounds, pause and add the four intercardinal landmarks. Resume with all eight points in play.
Finish with a ‘Lightning Round’ where directions come faster, then close with debrief.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Run to each landmark as quickly as possible
S (Support): Serve as Corner Caller, score tracker, or compass holder
Q (Quiet): Walk to each landmark at a steady pace; focus on accuracy over speed
O (Observer): Watch the first round, tracking which landmarks are chosen and why; join when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who cannot run can walk; the goal is reaching the correct landmark, not arriving first
Compass rose handout available for players who benefit from a visual reference

Stewardship Moment

‘The landmarks you chose are part of this natural space. What do you notice about them now that you have moved toward them many times?’
If cones were used: collect all before leaving; leave natural markers where they were found

Consent

Pre-brief: ‘This activity involves moving quickly around the space. For those who prefer not to run, walking at your own pace to the correct spot is another option. All paths to the landmark count.’
Mid-game check: After round 3, pause. ‘Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is your energy?’
Opt-out/re-entry: Raise a hand to step to the sideline. Call ‘In!’ to re-enter at the next round.

Risks and Mitigation

Collisions when players rush in the same direction: remind players to move at a pace they can control; wide arc routes to landmarks
Player confusion about directions: pair players who are less sure with confident navigators for the first few rounds
Sun glare affecting sight lines: orient the play area so players are not running directly into sun

Warm-Up Suggestions

‘Silent North’: without the compass, everyone points toward what they think is north; reveal the answer together
‘Shadow Check’: use shadow direction to estimate time of day and roughly locate east/west

Debrief Questions

What? ‘Which direction was hardest to remember? Which landmark helped most?’
So What? ‘How did using landmarks change the way you thought about directions?’
Now What? ‘When might knowing how to orient yourself quickly actually matter?’

Cleanup and Reset