Location sharing activities for toddlers

Kids 8–12 · Activities · Updated October 1, 2026 · LearnLife Editorial

What is location sharing and why teach it to toddlers?

Location sharing means telling others where you are or where something is. For toddlers, this starts with basic ideas like recognizing safe places, understanding that some information is private, and knowing when to tell a trusted adult where they are. Teaching these concepts early builds a foundation for digital safety later, helping kids feel secure and understand boundaries in a simple way. Parents and educators can introduce location sharing using familiar, concrete examples, like pointing to a map or describing their home, park, or school.

How can I use a “Safe Places Map” activity to explain location?

Age/Grade: 2–5 years Time Needed: 20–30 minutes Materials: Large paper, crayons/markers, stickers, pictures of familiar places Steps:

1. Draw a simple map showing key locations like home, school, park, and a friend’s house.
2. Help the child place stickers or draw pictures on the map to mark these places.
3. Talk about why these places are safe or special and who they might see there.
4. Discuss who they should tell if they go somewhere new or need help.

Skill Built: Spatial awareness, understanding safe locations, expressing needs Debrief: Ask questions like “Who do you tell if you go to a new place?” or “What place on the map do you feel safest?” Adaptation: At home, use a printed neighborhood map or photos; in class, create a large wall map for group discussion.

What is a “Follow Me” game and how does it teach location awareness?

Age/Grade: 3–6 years Time Needed: 15–20 minutes Materials: None Steps:

1. One adult or child is the “leader” who moves around a safe area.
2. Others follow and try to stay close, paying attention to where the leader goes.
3. The leader occasionally stops and asks followers where they are, encouraging them to notice and describe their location.

Skill Built: Observational skills, memory, understanding movement and location Debrief: Talk about how knowing where someone is helps keep everyone safe. Adaptation: At home, use different rooms; in class, use the playground or gym.

How to use storytelling to explain location sharing?

Age/Grade: 4–7 years Time Needed: 20 minutes Materials: Storybook or handmade story cards about a character’s adventure Steps:

1. Share a story about a character who explores new places and tells a trusted adult where they are.
2. Pause to ask children what they would do if they were the character.
3. Encourage them to think of who they tell and why it’s important.

Skill Built: Listening, empathy, understanding safety communication Debrief: Ask “Why do you think the character told someone where they were?” Adaptation: Use puppets at home or group reading in class.

How can a “Draw Your Favorite Place” activity help with location sharing?

Age/Grade: 3–6 years Time Needed: 20–30 minutes Materials: Paper, crayons, markers Steps:

1. Ask children to draw a place they love and feel safe in.
2. Have them share their drawing and explain why they like that place.
3. Discuss what they might tell a trusted adult about that place if they were there or if they went somewhere else.

Skill Built: Expressing feelings, verbal communication about location Debrief: Reinforce the idea that sharing where they are with trusted adults helps keep them safe. Adaptation: At home, parents can join and share their favorite safe places too.

What is the “Who’s Around Me?” listening activity?

Age/Grade: 2–5 years Time Needed: 10–15 minutes Materials: None Steps:

1. Sit quietly and listen to the sounds around you (people talking, birds, cars).
2. Share what you hear and guess who or what is nearby.
3. Talk about why noticing your surroundings helps you know where you are.

Skill Built: Auditory awareness, situational awareness Debrief: Discuss how paying attention helps keep track of where you are and who is with you. Adaptation: At home, use different rooms or outside spaces; in class, try during circle time.

How can technology be introduced in a toddler-friendly way?

Age/Grade: 4–7 years Time Needed: 15 minutes Materials: Tablet or smartphone with location-sharing apps disabled or in demo mode Steps:

1. Show children a simple map app and explain it helps people know where they are.
2. Explain that only trusted adults get to see this information.
3. Practice asking “Who should I tell if I’m lost?” and role-play telling a trusted adult.

Skill Built: Basic understanding of digital location sharing and privacy Debrief: Highlight the importance of only sharing location with trusted adults and not strangers. Adaptation: At home, parents can use similar apps with kids; in class, teachers can demo on a classroom device.

How to adapt these activities for older children (8–12 years)?

Older children can handle more detailed activities like creating digital maps, role-playing scenarios about privacy online, or learning simple rules for location sharing on devices. They can also discuss the concept of giving permission to share location and understand consequences of oversharing. Activities can include group discussions, journaling about safe places, and exploring privacy settings with adult supervision. For younger kids, keep explanations simple and concrete; for older kids, introduce digital safety concepts gradually.

What questions should parents and teachers ask after these activities?

• Who do you feel safe telling your location to?
• Why is it important not to share your location with strangers?
• What should you do if you feel lost or unsure where you are?
• How can you help friends stay safe by sharing location information carefully?

These questions encourage reflection and reinforce learning in a supportive way, whether at home or in school.

How to support ongoing conversations about location sharing and safety?

Make location sharing a regular topic by revisiting maps, stories, and games frequently. Encourage children to ask questions and express feelings about safety and privacy. Share age-appropriate resources and keep digital devices' settings secure. For families, consider creating a simple family media plan that includes rules about location sharing. Teachers can integrate these lessons into broader digital safety curricula and encourage open dialogue with parents.

For more detailed lesson plans and activities designed for older students, see location sharing lesson plans and activities for students to support ongoing learning about digital safety and privacy.

Frequently asked questions

At what age should kids start learning about location sharing?

Toddlers can begin with simple ideas about safe places and telling trusted adults where they are, usually around age 2-3. As children grow, lessons become more detailed, including digital location sharing, typically introduced around ages 8-12 with adult guidance.

How can I ensure my child’s location stays private online?

Use device settings to restrict location sharing, teach children only to share location with trusted people, and regularly review app permissions. Encourage open conversations about who can see their location and why it's important to protect it.

What if my child wants to share their location with friends online?

Explain that sharing location with friends online can be risky. Help them understand privacy and the importance of asking a trusted adult before sharing such information. Set clear family rules about online sharing.

Can location sharing activities help reduce anxiety in toddlers?

Yes, these activities build confidence by teaching toddlers they have control over who knows where they are. Knowing safe places and trusted adults helps reduce fear about getting lost or separated.

How do I talk about location sharing with shy or anxious children?

Use gentle, playful activities like drawing or storytelling to ease into the topic. Encourage them to share at their own pace and reassure them about safety and support. Offering familiar examples helps build comfort.