Latitude Longitude Battles: Free Printable Game for Year 6

Latitude Longitude Battles is a free printable geography game for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11). Children hide a fleet on a grid, then hunt their rival's fleet by calling out latitude and longitude coordinates. They also use an atlas to name oceans and countries. It needs only paper, a pencil and an atlas, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the players and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.

What is on the sheet

Each player fills in a table that uses latitude and longitude. Longitude runs across the top, from the west through 0° to the east, and latitude runs down the side. Players hide their fleet, then take turns calling squares to find their rival's ships. There are also numbered questions with space to answer. Coordinates use the letters N, S, E and W, so children must read each one carefully.

• Lat / Long
• 120°W
• 60°W
• 0°
• 60°E
• 120°E
• 0°, 0°
• 0°, 60°E
• 30°S, 120°E
• 60°N, 60°E

Why latitude and longitude matter

Latitude and longitude facts

• Lines of latitude are parallel, so they never meet.
• Lines of longitude all meet at the North Pole and the South Pole.
• A coordinate pair is usually written with latitude first, then longitude.
• The letters N, S, E and W after a number tell you which direction to measure.
• Sailors used latitude and longitude to find their way across open sea long before satellites.

Skills and curriculum link

• Using coordinates
• Atlas skills
• Naming places
• Reading degrees
• Careful checking

Tips for reading coordinates

• Latitude firstSay the latitude, then the longitude. Ask, "How far north or south? Then how far east or west?"
• Check the letterN and S go with latitude. E and W go with longitude. The letter changes which side of the line you are on.
• Row then columnFind the row, then the column, and only then call the square. Slow and careful beats quick and wrong.
• Use the atlasLook at the numbers printed on the map edges. Trace a line across and a line down until they meet.

Key words

• LatitudeDistance north or south, measured in degrees. Lines of latitude run east to west.
• LongitudeDistance east or west, measured in degrees. Lines of longitude run from pole to pole.
• CoordinatesA pair of numbers that name one exact spot on a grid or map.
• DegreeThe unit used to measure latitude and longitude. It is written with the symbol °.
• EquatorAn imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the poles.
• AtlasA book of maps. Children use it to find places and check their coordinates.

How to use it

1. Print both pages. Page 1 is for the players. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
2. Print one sheet per player and have an atlas ready. Read the rules out loud together so everyone plays the same game.
3. Players hide their fleets and keep their grids hidden from each other. Take turns calling squares and saying hit or miss.
4. Talk about each choice the first time. Ask, "How did you decide where to call?" and "Which number did you check first?"
5. Reveal the grids at the end, then check the rest of the sheet against page 2. Come back another day, because repeating a familiar game builds confidence.

Help, stretch and game ideas

Talk about it

• Why do we need two numbers to describe one place?
• Which do you say first, latitude or longitude? How do you remember?
• What changes when a coordinate has S instead of N?
• How did you decide where to call next after a miss?
• Which part of the atlas helped you most?
• Can you think of another game that uses a grid?

Take it off the page

Who it is for

Where this fits in geography

Before this, children usually meet compass directions and simple grid references. They learn that a pair of numbers or a letter and a number can name a square on a map. This game builds on that by using degrees and directions on a map of the world.

After this, children can use latitude and longitude to describe and compare places in an atlas. They can talk about where countries and oceans sit in relation to the equator and the prime meridian. Regular short practice keeps these skills ready for later geography work.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What age is Latitude Longitude Battles for?

It is written for Year 6 (ages 10 to 11), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can try it with an adult beside them, and older children can use the stretch ideas on page 2.

What will children practise?

Children practise giving and reading latitude and longitude coordinates. They also use an atlas to name oceans and countries, and they learn to check both numbers and letters carefully.

How many players do I need?

The game is for players who each have their own sheet, so print one per player. Players keep their grids hidden from each other until the game ends. A parent or teacher can play too.

Do we need an atlas?

Yes, have an atlas ready. Children use it to find places and to check their coordinates. A globe or a printed world map with latitude and longitude lines also helps.

What if it feels too hard?

Let children use a finger to trace along the row, then down the column, before calling a square. Play a practice round with the grids showing, and say the latitude first each time.

Is it free and screen free?

Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It needs only paper, a pencil and an atlas, so it suits quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.

Can teachers and home educators use it?

Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or as part of a wider plan. It needs no preparation beyond printing.