Their First Maps: explore a painted world together

Why play Their First Maps?

Their First Maps gives children and adults an illustrated world to explore at their own pace. Move across countries, zoom toward a city or landmark, and open its short place story. The drawings offer something concrete to notice before reading: a building, a mountain or a coastline can become the starting point for a family conversation. You can follow a familiar place, search for somewhere new, or let Surprise me choose the next stop.

Every place is free to explore, with no account required. The optional voluntary tip supports upkeep and does not unlock content. We opened the public atlas as a guest, searched for the Giza pyramids and read its story, quick facts and source section. Families share the same screen and choose their own route through the map. Their First Words LLC publishes the experience; creator Raphael submitted it to the directory and described himself as a dad behind Their First.

How does Their First Maps work?

The atlas connects a picture on the world map with information about the place it represents. Search gives you another way to reach a country, city or landmark, while Surprise me provides a starting point when you have no destination in mind. A place card presents a short introduction, an explanation of what makes it distinctive, quick facts and supporting sources. Close it to continue exploring. There is no required sequence to complete: the useful activity is noticing a detail, reading about it and deciding what you want to discover next. On a shared screen, adults can read aloud while children choose the next place.

How do you play Their First Maps?

1. Open the official atlas in a connected browser and choose a language from the selector.
2. Move and zoom around the map, search for a country, city or landmark, or select Surprise me.
3. Open a place drawing, read its short story and facts, then close the card and choose where to explore next.

How can you improve at Their First Maps?

1. Begin somewhere familiar

   Find a place connected with your family before moving farther away. A home country, a city you have visited or a relative’s home can give a child a reason to ask where the next place sits in relation to it.

2. Let a picture lead the conversation

   Before opening a story, take turns describing what you notice in the drawing. Read the card together, then return to the picture and point out one detail that makes more sense after learning about the place.

3. Follow one question to the next place

   Choose a small thread for the session, such as mountains, old buildings or places near the sea. Use search when a destination comes to mind, or Surprise me for a fresh starting point. Open the card’s sources when you want more detail.

Is Their First Maps right for you?

Which games are similar to Their First Maps?

Choose a different game based on the experience you want.

What should you know before playing Their First Maps?