Moonlit Map: free Halloween map and compass game

What is Moonlit Map?

The streetlights went out on Halloween night, so the gang reads the map by moonlight. Three neighbourhoods, four calls each: which way is a house, how far is it with the scale bar, where do the directions end, and which route is the shortest one that skips the haunted cul-de-sac.

Moonlit Map is a free Halloween game about map reading. The streetlights went out, and the gang has a paper map, a compass and a bag for candy.

Three neighbourhoods, four calls each: which way is a house (north, north-east, east…), how far is it once you use the scale bar, where do these directions end, and which route reaches the candy fastest without going through the haunted cul-de-sac.

At a glance

Category

Seasonal

Difficulty

Medium

Play time

3–5 min

Price

Free, in your browser, sign-up optional

How to play

North is up

Up is north, right is east. In between are the four diagonals: NE, SE, SW and NW.

Use the scale

Count the squares, then multiply by the scale bar: 4 squares × 50 m = 200 m.

Follow and plan

Tap where the directions end, then pick the shortest route that stays out of the haunted squares.

Score

100 per right call, plus 100 for a street with all four right.

Three levels

Beginner adds a counting hint to every call. Expert removes the ring on the house and the map key, with 30 seconds per call. Each level keeps its own best score.

Scoring

Each right call scores 100 points. A street with all four calls right adds 100.

Three streets with four calls each, no timer. Your best score is kept in this browser.

What it trains

Compass points

North, east, south, west and the four diagonals, with north at the top of the map.

Map scale

Counting squares and multiplying by the scale bar to get a real distance.

Route planning

Following directions step by step and picking the shortest safe route.

Strategy and tips

North is up

On most maps north is at the top. Right is east, left is west, down is south.

Diagonals

Up and right at the same time is north-east. Up and left is north-west.

Scale bar

Count the squares, then multiply: 3 squares × 25 m = 75 m.

One step at a time

Follow directions in order, and count each square as you go.

Why play Moonlit Map?

Phones do the navigating most of the time, until the battery dies. Reading a map, using compass points and working out distances is a skill for hikes, trips, orienteering and geography class. Moonlit Map trains it on a friendly Halloween night.

Frequently asked questions