Kid's Pirate Treasure Hunt

by Sue Purdy

5 Materials

Now that the summer is here, I’m always looking for new ways to keep the kids occupied and active. This fun pirate treasure hunt we did at the cottage was a perfect solution.

kid s pirate treasure hunt, crafts, outdoor living

For this treasure hunt, I found most of the items I needed at the dollar store, ebay and a thrift store. I used the following items:

1. interestingly shaped bottle (dollar store) 2. jewellery storage chest (thrift store) 3. fake pirate doubloons (ebay, but any type of old coin will do) 4. gold and silver spray paint (had on hand) 5. faux plastic diamonds (dollar store).

This treasure hunt began with drawing out the treasure map to show the kids where the booty was buried. My husband is a WAY better artist than me, so I let him handle most of the map.

The paper first gets soaked in the coffee mixture, and then tea bags are placed randomly on top to create a more worn look on the paper. I don’t bother boiling the water for tea bags; instead I just use hot water from the tap. Another trick I’ve used in the past to make paper look aged is by sprinkling instant coffee on the paper to give it more dark spots.

Here's how the treasure map looks all dry and with the edges burned.

The next day, we rolled up the map and placed it in the bottle near where the kids were playing.

The hunt is on....

The kids followed the map making sure the walk the required number of paces.

X marks the spot.

Here's the booty.

The loot consisted of fake gold doubloons purchased off eBay, but any old coin would be fine. I also spray painted some rocks gold and silver and added some faux diamonds I picked up at the dollar store. The kids loved this pirate treasure hunt, and they all got to take home some of the loot as a memory of their time at the beach together.

Check out my blog for more pics and ideas on home decor on the cheap.

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Faux gold doubloons (eBay)
Rocks (dollar store)
Gold and silver spray paint
Jewellery chest (thrift store)
Bottle (dollar store)

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3 comments

William on Jul 07, 2016
This is an outstanding idea! Kids do get bored. This is something new and different. I would have tossed in some chocolate doubloons in the chest =:)

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- Sue Purdy on Jul 07, 2016
  Thanks so much William :) Great idea about the chocolate doubloons.
  
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Diane Nusser on Apr 12, 2024

What a fabulous idea!!! I have been doing scavenger hunts with the grandkids! They loved it! When they get a little older I will do this. We live in the woods and it's a perfect place for a Treasure Hunt! Thanks for the great idea!

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