This is a creative activity for everyone, including kids aged 12 and up. Frankly I think adults who never grew up are the best participants.
You and a group of peers will be randomly assigned an animal. The objective of the activity is to use basic craft supplies to make a map of a common space as if one were that animal, for other members of your species. What does a map for a mouse look like? A map for a pigeon? How will you get into character as a horse?
This activity is fun, quirky and a great opportunity to break out of your creative rut with a low-stakes project that you will absolutely finish in under an hour.
It's also a reminder that cartography doesn't work without empathy. We have to understand our audiences and we get into trouble when we assume the audience is someone just like us.
Andrew Middleton, The Map Center
Saturday October 24, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT TBA
