This interactive activity lets students create a 3D, edible map of a U.S. state using peanut butter dough and M&Ms. It’s a memorable way to teach geography and reinforce map skills like city location, spatial awareness, and map keys.
(Makes enough for multiple students or groups. Safe to eat but check for peanut allergies first!)
2 cups smooth peanut butter
2½ cups powdered milk
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 cups white corn syrup
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pre-portion before class to reduce mess and save time.
Instructions
Prep Ahead: Make the dough at home and divide it into small portions, one per group (2–3 students per group works best).
Distribute Materials: Give each group a state outline and a portion of the dough.
Provide each group with a printed or digital map of the state showing major cities.
Create the Map: Students mold the dough into the shape of the state, using the outline as a guide.
Once shaped, they place M&Ms on the map to represent major cities.
Map Research & Labeling: As a class, identify important cities on a larger reference map.
Challenge students to find more cities than they have colors of M&Ms.
Encourage them to be as accurate as possible with placement.
Add a Map Key: Have each group create a key to explain which color M&M represents which city.
Optionally, they can include symbols for rivers, borders, or capitals.
Presentation & Review: Each group presents their map to the class.
Ask the class to help identify any needed corrections or missing cities.
Enjoy! Once maps are reviewed, students may eat their creations (pending allergy clearance).
Optional Extensions
Have students compare maps and discuss differences in city placement.
Use other edible items (e.g., licorice for rivers, pretzel sticks for highways).
Turn this into a bulletin board display with photos before eating!
