Make Your Own Topographic Map | Geography Craft | Geology Project

Create Your Own Topographic Map – A Hands-On Geography Project!

Give your students a deeper understanding of landforms and geographical features by having them design their own topographic maps. This engaging, hands-on activity enhances their ability to visualize elevation, terrain, and contour lines in a fun and meaningful way.

This project makes a great addition to lessons on landforms, geography, or topography. Students will explore key concepts, such as how maps represent Earth’s physical features, and can even design maps of fictional places—encouraging both creativity and critical thinking.

To extend the learning, challenge students to label key features like rivers, valleys, and hills, helping them strengthen their knowledge of landform terminology.

You can tailor the activity with two options:

• Use a pre-designed map with contour lines ready for labeling

• Offer a blank canvas where students can design their own map from scratch

When finished, students can compare their maps, discussing how different geographical features influence real-world landscapes.

What’s Included:

• 2 vocabulary strips with key topography terms

• 3 teacher slides:

  • Interpreting Contour Lines

  • How Topographic Maps Show 3D Features

  • Reading a Topographic Map

• 1 blank map for students to design their own topography

• 1 simple map with pre-drawn contour lines

• 1 complex map with detailed contour lines