How to Create a Treasure Map for Children in Art

Fun Lesson Art Project for Kids on Making Old Maps by Aging Paper

Aug 16, 2009 Rachel Wills

Creating a treasure map is a fun and simple art activity for kids to explore how art materials behave via experimentation.

A successful art lesson plan is often one that ensures that learners experience success. With a little guidance, children will experience immense satisfaction and a confidence boost at creating their very own artefact. The creative process covers all learning styles in that:

• A preliminary demonstration stimulates a question and answer session and discussion
• Cognitive development is stimulated via tactile exploration
• Visual awareness is encouraged by experimenting with colour, line and how these relation to one another on the page
• Further exploration is possible by creating texture and learning about the properties of paper via a simple dying technique

Resources for a Primary School Lesson

• A4 sheet of paper
• Colouring pencils of bold colours
• Several black teabags
• Tupperware containers
• Images containing maps or similar artefacts as inspiration

Preparation

1. Supply a sheet of paper per child and supply a pot of pencils and a flat Tupperware container per table
2. Stew three to four teabags into 2 pints of boiling water beforehand. For safety reasons, allow an hour so stew and to cool
3. Pour a serving of tea into each Tupperware container

Learning ObjectivesA preliminary demonstration will inform the children visually on what is expected of them. It will also stimulate their curiosity and promote a question and answer session. The objectives of the lesson are

• To draw a treasure map by using colouring pencils on paper in the manner demonstrated
• To emulate age to the paper by a simple dying technique using teabags

Demonstration on Making a Treasure Map

1. The edges of the paper are carefully torn away to provide uneven edges
2. Simple lines are drawn onto the paper via the use of bold-coloured pencils
3. Add symbols such as arrows, Xs and a compass point as desired
4. Represent physical features of the landscape by drawing trees and rivers
5. Use the images provided as inspiration
6. Scrunch the paper into a tight ball
7. Dunk the paper into the Tupperware container of stewed tea
8. Leave submerged for twenty seconds
9. Carefully lift out the paper and open out. Do not flatten completely but allow to dry partially scrunched up to allow the tea to gather into the creases
10. Leave in a well-ventilated place for a day

Differentiation for Learning Needs

The children are free to explore and add as much detail as they wish. Those with learning needs or reluctant are catered for as the treasure map may depict simple lines and colours, but once dyed, will look effective. More able children may wish to explore further by completing line drawings of ships or cities before dying the paper to give them an antique look.

Simple Art Techniques for Kids

Creating a treasure map provides opportunities for creating kid’s art by the exploration of line, colour, texture and a simple dying technique. Hand-to-eye coordination is exercised, as is visual awareness via the use of making marks on the paper, using colour and also in the tactile exploration of the properties of paper.

The copyright of the article How to Create a Treasure Map for Children in Art in Arts Education is owned by Rachel Wills. Permission to republish How to Create a Treasure Map for Children in Art in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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