How a Park Adventure Inspired a Treasure Map Maker for Explorers of All Ages
In a local park near our home, my son turned ordinary places into extraordinary adventures. A sandy patch by the river was his construction site. A big tree stump became a rocket launchpad. A hidden cluster of branches transformed into the bat cave. Then one day, he wanted to create something new — a treasure map. He drew it by hand, marking out landmarks and an X to show where treasure might be buried. We followed it on a real-life hunt through the park, and it turned a simple walk into an unforgettable adventure. That moment sparked an idea — what if anyone could create their own printable treasure map?
After that walk, I started thinking: what if other kids could do the same? What if there was a way to create real treasure maps — something interactive, visual, and printable? Even smaller children could explore, build confidence, and learn directions while playing. I looked online for a treasure map maker where we could place pirate ships, sea monsters, and buried treasure — but nothing quite fit.
Tools I found were either too complicated, or designed only for fantasy maps. That can be fun, but I wanted something simpler and more playful. A tool anyone could use, even kids, without needing a tutorial. And one based on the real world — your own neighbourhood, a park, or even your own back garden. So I built it.
Testing out our first printed map from Pathyn.com.
Ever wanted to create your own printable treasure map for a party, classroom activity, or adventure game? That’s exactly why I built the Treasure Map Creator at Pathyn.com →.
With it, you can:
- Choose a real map location
- Add pirate-style icons
- Create a personalized banner, and more
- Download the final design to print or share
🏴☠️ Try the Treasure Map Creator →
With the app, you can create your own treasure map using real locations — whether that’s your back garden, a local park, or a favourite beach. You can drop in pirate ships, sea monsters, treasure chests, or whatever fits your story. Some families use it for birthday treasure hunts. Others turn it into a printable gift or a scavenger game at home. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a grown-up adventurer, it’s an easy way to spark creativity — and all you need is a little imagination.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making your own treasure map — or helping a child create theirs — now’s your chance. The app is free to try, easy to use, and ready for your next adventure. Whether you’re planning a scavenger hunt, making a personalised gift, or just having some creative fun, you can start mapping right away.
🏴☠️ Start your own treasure map adventure at Pathyn.com →
In my next post, I’ll show you how to build and print your own treasure map step by step — perfect for gifts, games, or classroom fun.
