Compass Directions Worksheet: North, East, South, West (Free KS1)

What your child learns from this worksheet

This worksheet focuses on the four cardinal directions used across Key Stage 1 geography: north, east, south and west. By labelling each point of the compass rose and saying the directions aloud, children connect the words to fixed positions on a diagram. This is the first step towards using directional language to describe where things are and to follow a simple route on a map. The task is deliberately uncluttered so that the learning stays on the four main points rather than the in-between directions, which are introduced later in Key Stage 2.

How to use it at home or in class

Begin by talking about the compass rose together: explain that the points always stay in the same places, with north at the top, east on the right, south at the bottom and west on the left. A well-known British memory phrase is Never Eat Shredded Wheat, reading clockwise from the top: North, East, South, West. Ask the child to write each direction's letter or word on the matching point, then colour the compass rose. Once it is finished, pin it up and use it to play quick direction games, such as 'point to north' or 'which way is east?'

Why compass directions matter early on

Compass directions give children a shared, precise way to describe position and movement, which is far clearer than words like 'over there' or 'that way'. This vocabulary underpins later map skills, fieldwork and even early coding and robotics, where children program movement using direction. Practising the four cardinal points now means children can move on to four-figure grid references, eight-point compasses and Ordnance Survey maps in Key Stage 2 with a secure foundation. It also supports everyday spatial awareness, such as describing a route around the school or local area.

Extending the activity

To stretch confident children, link the compass to the real world. On a sunny day, point out that the sun rises roughly in the east and sets roughly in the west, which helps fix those two directions. You could place the finished compass rose flat and use a real magnetic compass, a phone compass app or a globe to find true north together. Encourage the child to describe a short route using the directions, for example 'walk north to the door, then turn east'. This moves them from naming directions to using them, which is exactly what the curriculum asks for.

Frequently asked questions