How to Make a Pin Map

A mounted map displays well.

Make a pin map to decorate your wall with your dreams. On a large map, mark the places you dream of visiting and the places you have been. Use different colored pins to show your past travels and your future travel plans. When a map is mounted on foam core, it is easy to use and display. A pin map is also useful for planning marketing and political campaigns. Students can use a pin map to enhance history and geography projects.

Things You'll Need

• Map
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Foam core
• Mat knife
• Spray adhesive
• Map pins

Instructions

1. Iron the map with a warm iron to remove any wrinkles.

2. Lay the map on the foam core and trace around it with pencil. Cut the foam core along these lines with a mat knife.

3. Spray the foam core evenly with spray adhesive. Place the map on the foam core. Be careful to align the edges evenly. This is easier if two people work together. Each person should hold one side of the map and lower it carefully into place.

4. Smooth out any wrinkles in the map. Work from the center to the outside edges. Allow the adhesive to dry for an hour before inserting pins.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray starch can help when ironing the map. Be sure to check that the starch will not discolor the paper by spraying an inconspicuous area first.