Paper Plate Pirate Map Craft for Kids
Set off on a treasure hunt with this paper plate pirate map craft that brings pirate adventures to life.
This paper plate pirate map craft is an easy pirate craft for kids that lets them create their own treasure map using simple materials.
With a free printable pattern, kids can design a map filled with paths, islands, and hidden treasure.
This craft encourages creativity and storytelling while being easy enough for preschoolers and engaging for older kids.
This is a great pirate craft for kids of all ages, especially pirate loving kids who enjoy pretend play and adventure stories.
It’s also a fun craft for boys and girls and works well in classrooms, camps, and at home.
Kids will love pretending their map leads to hidden treasure and using it during imaginative play.
When to Make a Paper Plate Treasure Map
• Pirate party activity: This pirate map is perfect for a pirate party, especially when paired with a treasure hunt or pirate games.
• Pirate theme study: This craft fits beautifully into a pirate theme study and encourages kids to think about maps, directions, and storytelling.
• Pirate loving kids at home: Pirate loving kids will enjoy creating and playing with their own treasure map during everyday play.
• Easy preschool classroom craft: This is an easy preschool classroom craft that allows younger kids to focus on drawing and decorating.
• Summer camp craft: This pirate map is a great summer camp craft, especially for outdoor treasure hunts or themed activities.
• Summer craft idea: This is a fun summer craft idea that combines creativity with imaginative play.
Why You’ll Love this Pirate Treasure Map Craft
You’ll love how open-ended this pirate map craft is. It allows kids to express creativity, build storytelling skills, and engage in imaginative play using simple supplies.
Tips and Tricks for the Pirate Craft
- Use crayons or markers instead of paint for easy cleanup.
- Encourage kids to create their own map designs rather than copying examples.
- Add embellishments like glitter, sequins, buttons, or stickers to mark treasure spots.
- Swap craft paper for felt or foam for added texture.
- Crumple the finished map gently to give it an “old pirate map” look.
- Pair the map with other pirate crafts for extended play.
How to Make a Pirate Treasure Map
Print the free pattern, gather your supplies, and follow the directions below to create this paper plate pirate map craft.
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Light Brown Craft Paint
- Colored Pencils (or markers or crayons)
- White Craft Paper
- Craft Glue
- Glue Stick
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Printed Pattern
Instructions:
Paint the outside of two paper plates with light brown craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Download and print the treasure map pattern.
Flatten the paper plates, the trace the top pattern onto the first paper plate and the bottom pattern onto the second paper plate.
Cut out the patterns with scissors.
Attach the top and bottom of the treasure map together using glue.
TIP: We used a glue gun and glue sticks for this craft tutorial.
You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
Alternately, for less mess you can use glue dots or double sided tape.
Print the treasure map pattern sheet onto white cardstock with the images of islands, treasure chest, waves, and a pirate ship.
Gather colored pencils, markers or crayons.
Color in all of the treasure map pattern images with colored pencils, crayons, or markers.
Cut out the patterns with scissors.
Arrange and fit the images onto the treasure map.
Attach each image to the light brown paper plates using a glue stick.
Cut any excess from the edges of the map with scissors.
Using a black marker, add the scroll detail to the top and bottom of the treasure map.
Add the North, South, East, and West letters to the compass.
To finish, add the dotted lines marking the way from the pirate ship to the treasure with a black marker.
This paper plate pirate map craft for kids is an easy and imaginative pirate craft that’s perfect for parties, classrooms, summer camps, or home play. Kids will love creating their own treasure maps and using them for endless pirate adventures.
