How to Make a Pirates Treasure Map for Children

An easy and fun adventure for any child is a treasure hunt. The best way to have one is to follow a map to the treasure. Your children or grandchildren can spend hours searching for treasure.

Things You'll Need

• White paper
• Tea leaves
• Blow dryer
• Markers
• Oil
• Bottle

Instructions

1. Tear the edges of your paper to cause it to look old and worn. Crumple the paper in a tight ball to help it look worn.

2. Soak your white paper in a shallow dish of tea for about 5 minutes or until the paper reaches your preferred shade of darkness.

3. Dry your paper. You can let the paper sit overnight to dry or you can blow dry it on high for 5 minutes. When the paper begins to lift off the table switch to low.

4. Plan your map. You should include obstacles as well as landmarks to help locate the treasure.

5. Draw your map with waterproof markers. Include little details including a compass point and other pirate symbols to make your map more authentic.

6. Rub a small amount of oil onto both sides of the paper. This helps the paper to feel more like parchment paper.

7. Roll the map up and hide it in a bottle for a child to find.

Tips & Warnings

• Add written clues to help your children find where to go next. This helps if your map is covering a larger area.

• These maps make great invitations to a pirate themed birthday party.

• Make sure that an adult is handling the blow dryer. You need to watch the paper carefully to make sure that you do not start a fire.