How to Create a Kids Pirate Treasure Map
Though based loosely in historical fact, pirates are more myth than fact and, as such, make for fertile grounds for imaginative play. Many children love to dress up and play pirate games, including the quintessential hunt for buried treasure. No hunt for treasure is complete without a treasure map, so there's no better means to make a pirate-loving kid's day than by creating a sturdy, but authentic-looking treasure map prop.
Instructions
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Cut out a large rectangle of muslin. Determine the size based on what you think would be most comfortable for your child's hand size, but make it at least as large as a standard piece of computer paper (8 1/2 by 11 inches).
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Distress the fabric to make it look worn. Soak it in a bath of strong tea or coffee to stain it, then dry alone in a clothes dryer. Singe the edges of the fabric in a candle flame, allowing the flame to catch and burn the cloth in somewhat uneven patterns. Dip the singed cloth edge in water when you're finished to ensure there are no remaining sparks before you proceed.
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Draw the map features using permanent marker. Start be creating some terrain features (such as sketches of trees, rocks or waterfalls) and maybe the rough sketch of the shape of an island surrounded by water. Include a weaving, dotted-line trail with an "X" to mark the location of the treasure. Be creative and sketch any symbols you like on the map that you think will make it look more "piratey" such as a skull and crossbones, a treasure chest, or a compass rose (check out the link in "resources" below for some clip art inspiration).
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Iron the cloth to give it creases. Fold it in half several times, until you get a single square about the size of your palm. Iron this, applying extra pressure around the folded edges, then unfold; the creases will stay in place. This will imitate the look of a map made of parchment that has been folded for a long time.
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