Backpack Go started as an Inktober-inspired mini project and became a simple geography game for kids.

I made this game using pure HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a couple of hours, as an extension of the Inktober 2024 prompt of the day: Backpack.

The player enters latitude and longitude values, and the map jumps to that point with a marker and location context. If the point lands in a water-heavy area, the game shows a message suggesting they may be in the ocean.

I designed it as a simple educational experience for children around 4-8 years old.

What I learned

• Integrating Leaflet Maps
• Getting more familiar with latitude/longitude
• Using reverse geocoding with open APIs

What I wanted to add (not done yet)

• Lat/long overlay lines on the map
• Returning the waterbody name using a marine geocoding source
• Restricting input length to 5 characters

User testing note

I tested this with my 6-year-old. At first, it was tricky to land on actual land and not oceans, but once he got a few hits right, he was thrilled.