How to Make a Kid's Pirate Map

Send your little pirate on a treasure-hunting adventure with a pirate map.

Guide your junior buccaneer through dangerous terrain and terrible pitfalls to recover lost pirate treasure. Begin the adventure by making a pirate map that reveals the location of buried treasure. Add obstacles for your young pirate to overcome and mark them on the map with pirate-sounding names. Stain the map brown and give it burned edges for a more authentic look. Place the map in a glass bottle or in the bottom of an old box for your child to discover.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Permanent marker
• Cookie sheet
• Coffee or tea
• Paper towel
• Fork
• Lighter or candle
• Twine

Instructions

Drawing the Map

1. Draw the starting location on the white paper with a permanent marker. Draw an "X" to designate the location of the buried treasure.

2. Add details of other locations on the map, such as "Pirate's Cave," "Buccaneer Bay" or "Sordid Swamp." If kids will use the map for a real treasure hunt, draw locations that correspond with actual physical locations. For example, a tree house could be labeled "Bird's Eye Lookout," while a bird bath could be called the "Fountain of Youth."

3. Draw a dotted line from the starting point through the other locations and ending at the "X." Draw a compass in one corner of the map.

Aging the Map

1. Crumple the paper into a ball, then open it and spread it out.

2. Set the paper in a cookie sheet, then pour strong coffee or tea over it. Sprinkle coffee grounds on the map to create age spots.

3. Soak the paper for approximately five minutes, then drain the coffee or tea from the cookie sheet. Blot the paper dry with a paper towel.

4. Place the paper and the cookie sheet in the oven for five minutes at 200 degrees. Watch the paper carefully so that it does not burn.

5. Remove the paper and cookie sheet from the oven. Use a fork to remove the paper from the cookie sheet, as it will be hot. Let the paper cool completely.

6. Pass the edges of the paper through the flame of a candle or a lighter, making sure to move the paper quickly so that it does not catch fire.

7. Roll the paper like a scroll and tie it with twine.

Tips & Warnings

• Only adults should use a flame to char the edges of the map. If the paper ignites, immediately blow it out or immerse the paper in water.

References

• Me Vs. the House: How to Make Paper Look Old by Aging It with Tea

Resources

• Scholastic: Treasure Maps
• Disney FamilyFun: Treasure Map