Look at the end of the big dipper (Ursa Major) opposite the handle, you have two stars there. Follow them up out of the dip until you come to the end of the tail of the little dipper (Ursa Minor). You find the big dipper and little dipper by looking up at the stars and searching for that constellation, just like every other constellation! If you know which way is north lready then it'll be easier to find them but if you don't then just look up and search.

On a cloudless night, northern hemisphere, grab your compass (if you've no idea of where north lies) and head outside. Locate North approximately. As your eyes get dark adapted look in that direction and about midway from directly over head to the northern horizon, look for the brightest star visible. Polaris is the only one in that area of the sky that outshines the others. You really can't miss it. Polaris is the tail end of Ursa Minor (little dipper). It's orientation will depend on the time you are looking for it. It appears to rotate about Polaris. The size of the constellation is about that of a closed fist, held at arms length. It does look like a sauce pan, but with a slightly inverted handle. The other stars in Ursa Minor are relatively faint but if your eyes have adapted to the darkness, you should still be able to spot them. There's an alternate way to find Polaris and that's to actually use Ursa Major (big dipper). Finding it towards north, west and east is fairly easy. It's a very bright constellation and large. It occupies a section of the sky that has relatively few naked eye distractions. It does move over the range I mentioned though, so if you're unfamiliar with the night sky, you'll just have to face north and scan from left to right. Once you've located it, imagine a straight line, drawn through the vertical side of the "pot" furthest from the handle and extend that line away from the mouth of the "pot". The first bright star you come across on that line is Polaris. Of course you can always do it the easy way, http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html and download a free monthly map.

maybe this will help. pick a spot and face the setting sun. this is west, north will be on your right. go back out just after dark, polaris will be one of the first stars to come out, about half way up in the sky. look at farinos answer.