Pace-It-Out Treasure Map

What you need

• Paper, 2 sheets
• Crayons or markers, 3 to 4
• Clipboard or book, 1
• Small waterproof toys (not for under 3s), 1 treasure bigger than a fist, or a wrapped snack
• Phone, 1, for a compass (optional)

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Pick a safe, defined area like a backyard, a park corner or a quiet block, and stay within sight of the kids, especially near any roads. Choose a treasure that is big enough not to get lost outdoors.

1. Pick your starting spot and choose a step size.
2. Pace out the edges of your area and count every step.
3. Pace to the big landmarks like trees, benches, or a fence.
4. Choose a scale, like 1 step equals 1 square or 1 thumb-width. Ask for help if you need it
   Ask: If the yard is 20 steps long, how long will it be on your paper?
5. Draw the outline of your area and place each landmark.
6. Add a compass arrow that points north. Ask for help if you need it
7. Make a legend with a symbol for each landmark and show your scale.
8. Hide the treasure and mark it with an X on the map.
   Ask: How many steps from the start, and in which direction?
9. Hand the map to the hunter and let them follow it to the treasure.
10. Swap jobs and fix confusing parts. What treasure will you hide next?
    Ask: What would you change to make the map even clearer?

Play it again

• Second treasure: hide two treasures and add a riddle clue for the second one.
• Grid map: draw squares on the map and give directions like 'three squares north'.
• Mystery map: make a map of a different spot, like the park, and let a friend hunt there.