How to Draw a Treasure Map (Easy Step by Step)
A treasure map is a fun drawing because it holds a whole adventure on one page. It is built from simple shapes: two tall rounded rectangles, wavy lines, pointy mountain peaks, curves, a small star, a trail of dots and a big X.
- Easy
- 12 minutes
- 7 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a treasure map step by step
How to Draw a Treasure Map · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: The two scroll rolls
Draw two tall, skinny rounded rectangles, one on the left and one on the right, like the rolled-up ends of a scroll. Leave a wide space between them for the map.
Step 2: Wavy top and bottom
Connect the two rolls with a wavy line along the top and another wavy line along the bottom. Let them gently go up and down like little waves, so the paper looks old.
Step 3: The big mountain
Near the left side, draw two slanted lines that meet at a pointy peak, like an upside-down V. Add a tiny zigzag snowcap just under the tip.
Step 4: The small mountain
Next to the big mountain, draw a smaller upside-down V. Start it at the big mountain's right side so the two mountains touch.
Step 5: The palm tree
On the right side, draw a long, slightly curvy line for the trunk. At the top, add curved lines that droop down like leaves, spreading out on both sides.
Step 6: The compass star
Near the bottom left, draw a small star with four pointy tips: one up, one down, one left and one right. Curve the lines inward between the tips.
Step 7: Dotted trail and X
Starting near the star, draw a curving trail of small dots that winds up and to the right. At the end of the trail, in the bottom right, draw a big X by crossing two diagonal lines.
All done!
Go over your lines with a marker, then color it in.
Finished your treasure map? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a unicorn or how to draw a dragon next.
Tips for drawing a treasure map
- Draw the two wavy lines slowly and lightly. Let them wiggle a little, because the bumps make the paper look old.
- For the palm tree, start with the trunk and then add the leaves at the top, curving down like a fountain.
- Space the dots out like footsteps. Make them about the same size, and leave a gap between each one.
Free treasure map coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this treasure map coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your treasure map drawing
Color the paper pale tan, the mountains gray with a white snowcap, the palm tree green and brown, and the X bright red. For a twist, rub the paper with a damp tea bag or crumple it first to make it look really old.
Treasure map fun fact for kids
Pirates in stories often bury treasure and mark the spot with an X, but real pirates almost never buried treasure. The idea became famous from the book Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, published in 1883.
Questions about drawing a treasure map
What shapes do I need to draw a treasure map?
You need two tall rounded rectangles for the scroll ends, wavy lines for the paper, upside-down V shapes for the mountains, curves for the palm tree, a four-point star, dots and an X.
How do I make my treasure map look old?
Make the top and bottom edges wavy instead of straight, then color the paper tan or light brown. You can also rub the finished page with a damp tea bag.
What can I put on my treasure map?
Add things like a ship, a cave, a river or a skull rock in the empty spaces. Just keep the dotted trail clear so it still leads to the X.
