An easy project for a fabulous surprise on a waterfront excursion! Arr! This is a unique idea for all ye landlubbers during Spring Break (if mother nature cooperates), summer vacation, or a birthday party activity. Don't miss this crafty idea to keep the young Lads and Lasses enthralled.
There is nothing like watching the sheer excitement on your children's face as they discover something they treasure. In this case, it's actual treasure they shall discover. It won't only be fun for them, however, so if you give this one a try, ye best have thy camera handy to capture the moment.
My husband had this fabulous idea last summer and the kids went ballistic. Keep your kids ship-shape and calling out Shiver me Timbers by following the simple instructions below.
1. Before your trip, create a "treasure map" on your computer that lands you somewhere on the beach front that you will be visiting while you are away. On the sample map photographed here, Blackbeard was the inspiration. Get familiar with the walkways and paths around the beach so you can highlight a few with possible trails before putting your "X" to mark the spot on the sandy beach. You can even take it one step further and research who the prominent pirate was in the area you'll be visiting so you can tailor the map to reflect that individual.
2. At your local craft store, you can find a small wooden treasure chest for a few dollars. Add details as you wish to embellish it and make it appear authentic. Ours has felt lining on the inside and pirate lingo and designs on the outside, as you can see in the picture.
3. Fill your wooden treasure chest. Ours was stuffed with play money, play coins, and play jewelry including necklaces and bracelets.
4. Upon arriving at your vacation destination, place the map in the closet. Hint: Before you place it in there, wrinkle it up, fold it a few times, and make it look quite old.
5. On the morning that you wish to embark on your excursion, have one of the parents go down early to the beach and bury your treasure in the sand. Make sure you have a landmark for yourself as to where the treasure is buried.
6. "Discover" your treasure map in the closet with the kids early that excursion morning. Head on over to the beach and embark on your treasure hunt. Don't forget those shovels and your camera, too. A great deal of the fun is tracing the various routes to try to reach the treasure on the beach. Still, though, our kids could hardly contain their excitement when they dug up an old pirate treasure on the beach. Many of the other families around the beach were gathering to see what the kids had found, so they were proud as could be as they showed off their new jewels.
Fair Winds! For those not up on their slang, that means good-bye and good-luck in pirate speak. Remember to come back and comment below to tell us how your treasure hunt goes at the beach!!
