Treasure Awaits Treasure Hunt Map

What you'll need:

• Twine (six inches per map)
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Parchment paper

1. Cut the edges of the parchment paper so that they look weathered.  (see photos)
2. Place the parchment paper in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five to ten minutes or color it with brown crayon to make it look old.  (see photos)
3. Give your map a name such as “Pirate’s Booty” or “Treasure Island”.  Write the names of several objects on the left hand side of the parchment paper that you want the kids to find.  These could be as simple as “something red” or “a sock” or as difficult as rhyming clues (ex: there are two of me, without wearing me your feet are free!)  Next to each of these objects, place a box so that kids can check it off as they go.  On the right hand side, draw the objects, connecting them with a dotted line to make a path.  (see photos)
4. Roll the parchment paper up and tie it with the twine.  Your map is now complete!  Make several of these if you intend for each child to complete the hunt alone.  For a fun twist, you can also have the kids each look for different objects!  As a prize, give children chocolate gold coins.  (see photos)
5. Other pirate-themed ideas include giving the kids bandannas and eye patches to wear when they arrive, hiding prizes in a sandbox and having them dig for buried treasure, or even making their own treasure map or compass!