making a pirate map for ds

[Morgaine]

Ds is really into pirates right now so I am making him a treasure map. I still had parchment left from my calligraphy set and I burned the edges a put two holes in it so it really looks cool. Now comes the hard part, what do I write? I was thinking of putting a little pirate warning on it. Just not sure what. Here is what I have so far

Thieves, Landlubbers, or Nave
Ye be warned
'Tis death ye'll find
If it's Captain Chris' treasure you crave.

No very good but the best I have so far. WDYT? Is there anything you can think I need?

[annakiss]

I think that's great just the way it is!!! An X marks the spot, some trees and a dotted line. Some topography here and there. Make fantastic names for different places like Devil's cove and Marooner's Island. I think this sounds great. What a fun art project.

[Morgaine]

I was going to include The Sand Pit of Death (sand box) on there and The Forest of Fear (the uncleared lot on the side of the house) I need to figure out where I will put the "X." I want him to able to actually find something by using the map. And yes I am having a ton of fun with this! I hope ds likes it when he gets home to day. I was going to say I found it in the attic.

[thistle]

Just wanted to say you are a great mama!!

My dd loves to point out pirate stuff in the stores and has a pirate hat she likes to wear, but she is too little yet for maps.

Have fun!!!

[Morgaine]

Thanks everyone, I finished the map and if I do say so myself it is really cool! Ds loved it, but it was raining outside by the time I finished but he has been using it around the house. He hides his own treasure and then finds it, lol. Here is what I ended up putting on it

Thieves, Landlubbers, or Scurvy Naves
This be yur warning
'Tis only death ye'll find
If it's Captain Chris treasure ye craves.

Then I gave him clues about the landmarks I put on there. Like

On the branches of this elm
Something flies
That once was
Flew on my helm.

Then I put his pirate flag on a tree in the front yard.
Now ds wants some "real" pirate gold. I might get some dollar coins for him, but other than that not sure what else I could do. Any Ideas for that?

[Dragonfly]

"Here be dragons" is one of my favorites. You coud draw a small picture of a dragon at the spot, too.

Sounds like a cool project! I wish my son would get more interested in pirates. I'm so sick of superheros!


ETA: Oops! Too late! Glad your son had such a great time with it!

If you have a costume shop or party favors place, I'm sure they'd have gold coins. You could also check out Oriental Trading Company. They probably have a website. Or just cut out circular pieces of cardboard and paint them with gold tempera paint. We did that to make a star for our tree and it worked very well!

[lauren]

How about burying a real treasure outside somewhere? We did this once at the beach and my ds was awed that there was REALLY a treasure there!