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TR · ENTry Orienteering

Orienteering for children

At what age can children start orienteering, is it safe, and what does it offer families?

Short answer

Pre-school children can start orienteering by walking with a parent. From around 7 or 8, children can do short courses along paths on their own or with an adult shadow. Courses are designed for each age group and everyone is tracked with start and finish checks and a closing time. Orienteering builds map reading, navigation, decision-making and confidence.

By the coaching and mapping team of Kanyon Orienteering · Updated:

Starting by age

Age How
4–6 Hand in hand with a parent; “coloured dot” hunts on a playground or garden map
7–9 Short courses along paths, with an adult shadow or alone
10–13 Park and campus courses, simple route choices, school sport
14+ Forest courses, compass work, federation races

Safety

  • Age-appropriate courses within clear boundaries.
  • Start and finish checks for every child; a search begins if anyone is missing at closing time.
  • An adult can shadow at first events.
  • Simple rules: if lost, stop, go to the nearest path, blow your whistle.
  • Photos are shared only with parental consent.

Map games at home and at school

  1. Bedroom map: draw a bird’s-eye map of the room together, hide a toy and mark it.
  2. Garden control hunt: place five paper controls, find them in order using a map.
  3. Colour game: match map colours to what you see outdoors. The Map Lab is a good start.

Printable cards for teachers: School activity cards.

Children and families at Kanyon

Kanyon Orienteering welcomes children through families: parents and children on the same day, on neighbouring courses. See Join — Families.

Frequently asked questions

What if my child gets lost?

Children's courses follow paths, fences and clear boundaries. Every child is checked at start and finish; if anyone is missing at closing time, officials start searching immediately. Children are taught "if you're lost, go to the nearest path and wait".

Is there orienteering in Turkish schools?

Yes. School sport competitions include orienteering in the Minikler, Küçükler, Yıldızlar, Gençler B and Gençler A age categories, with provincial, group and national stages.

Can parents take part too?

Absolutely. On family courses parent and child walk together, and many parents take up orienteering themselves. That's exactly Kanyon Orienteering's approach.

Related guides

Try Orienteering