How to Make a Pirate Map

For a rainy day actitivity for the kids or to set the mood for a pirate-themed party, create your own pirate map. Study up on your pirate lingo and use authentic words and phrases on the map. You could even map out the backyard and hide a treasure for your family.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Parchment or construction paper
• Markers
• Matches
• Wet sponge

1. Grab a piece of paper and crumple it into a ball. Then, carefully flatten it back out. The creases will help the map to look properly aged.

2. Draw a pirate isle. Take up most of the paper, but leave one corner free so that you can put the map legend in that corner. The legend is the part of the map that tells you what the symbols on the map mean.

3. Add some pitfalls and a dotted line to show the path to the treasure. Remember, X marks the spot for the treasure and jagged lines can be mountains. Draw tiny plants to represent a swamp and spiders to represent the giant spiders or other monsters that protect the treasure.

4. Burn the edges of the map. Light a small area, two or three inches off one side of the map. Then, use a damp sponge to put it out. Continue around the edge of the map to give it an aged look.

5. Roll the map up and tie it with a string or hide it in a paper towel tube. Distribute maps as a prop for your pirate party for International Talk Like A Pirate Day on Septemebr 19th. Or you can have a pirate theme for your next Halloween bash. Either way, an authentic-looking pirate map will be a hit.

Tips & Warnings

• To get really creative, make the map a semi-realistic representation of your backyard or local park. Then, take the party guests on a treasure hunt, with a small prize or treasure for the first team to interpret the map correctly.