Dagney, excellent point. I do use a map and compass with my son but at six he is still way off, so they stay in the car. And we tell him to stay where he is if lost, not to move unless where he is at is dangerous to him but he needs to stay in the same area. (Think move under a tree to get out of the sun, rather than stand in the middle of the zoo walkway.

However, I have a plastic folder map of our area and using my map markers have highlighted our house, his school, his friends house, grandparents, main grocer. Favorite park. As we drive around he uses his finger to trace where we are at by intersections.