Plan a Treasure Hunt
Categories: Preschool, Math, Outdoor
Send your little one on an adventure to find a hidden treasure. Your own home or backyard can easily become a far away land with secrets to unfold. And in between all that bounty-chasing and treasure digging, your kid will get a taste of how to use a map, and begin to absorb the fact that the pictures on it mean something in the physical world.
What to Do:
First, choose your “treasure”. This can be any small token, such as something from the dollar store, that your child would enjoy. Consider painting small rocks with an inexpensive metallic spray paint for an extra-fun touch. It takes only a few minutes and adds some extra oomph to the thrill of treasure hunting. (Make sure if you decide to paint the rocks that you spread out some newspaper in a well-ventilated area. Spray paint and allow ample time for rocks to dry. Turn the rocks over and spray paint the other side.)
Once you’ve got your pirate booty lined up, choose your location- inside or out- for the hiding spot. Bundle your rocks or other treasure into a small paper bag and make a bold X on the outside.
Aaarg, matey! Now it’s time to make the treasure map. This can be as simple or elaborate as you wish, but remember, your child will need to read it independently in order to find the treasure. Keep words to a minimum and use pictures to the max!
Let your artistic side shine, but don’t get too intimidated, this is just silly pirate fun! A simple sketch of the area where the treasure can be found is sufficient with an X marking the spot in which to find the goodies. A more elaborate, authentic-looking map can be created using parchment paper or regular paper soaked in coffee grounds and then dried. Cutting the paper into a freeform shape, crumbling it several times, and then burning the edges of the paper adds a truly special effect. Once you’ve got the main locations on there (bushes, the house, a favorite tree), add a dotted line that shows the path for finding the treasure. This is a visual cue to reinforce simple directions.
Now sit back and enjoy watching your child’s excitement as he uses the clues provided on the map to find the gold! Your child will get her first taste of using a map, in the midst of some pure pirate fun.
Samantha Harpring was a classroom teacher for 16 years and has spent the last several years writing curriculum. She is the mother of two energetic boys, ages 7 and 10.
