Two game modes
- Walk it! – the game gives 2–3 directions, such as "3 steps north, 2 steps east". Walk the fox to the goal with the little compass buttons, then press "I'm here!". When it checks, a star shows the goal and a dashed line the right path.
- Compass – which way the arrow points, what the opposite of a direction is, and which way you face after turning right, left or all the way around.
Both modes can be played with the main directions only, or with the in-between ones too (NE, SE, SW, NW) – then you also step diagonally.
The compass points
| Direction | Short | On a map | Opposite |
|---|---|---|---|
| north | N | top | south |
| north-east | NE | top right | south-west |
| east | E | right | west |
| south-east | SE | bottom right | north-west |
| south | S | bottom | north |
| south-west | SW | bottom left | north-east |
| west | W | left | east |
| north-west | NW | top left | south-east |
Tips
- North is always at the top of a map. Once you know that, the rest follows: east to the right, south at the bottom, west to the left.
- An in-between direction is named after its two neighbours. Between north and east is north-east – north or south always comes first.
- Opposite = the other side. The opposite of north-east is south-west: both parts flip.
- Practise outside too! Find north in the playground – the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four main compass directions?
North (N), east (E), south (S) and west (W) – the cardinal directions. On a map north is at the top, south at the bottom, east to the right and west to the left.
What are the in-between directions?
The directions halfway between two neighbouring main ones: north-east (NE), south-east (SE), south-west (SW) and north-west (NW). They are also called intercardinal or ordinal directions, and their names always start with north or south.
How can I remember the order of the compass points?
Go clockwise from the top: N – E – S – W. A popular rhyme is "Never Eat Soggy Waffles".
How can you find directions using the Sun?
The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west. In the northern hemisphere it is in the south at midday, so if you stand with your back to the midday Sun, you are facing north.
How does the "Walk it!" mode work?
A fox stands on the dashed starting square. Follow the 2–3 directions with the little compass buttons (or the arrow keys), then press "I'm here!". If you go wrong, ↶ Undo takes a step back.
Ready for a real map? Try Capital Roamer – the countries and capitals of Europe on a blank map.