Create a treasure map to help you think about your hopes and dreams.
What you’ll need: Paper, something to draw with, (Optional) used tea bags if you would like to make your paper look old
What’s it for?
This activity will help you identify and think about some of the things you hope and dream for in your life. You will also be able to think about the people who support you when you need help.
Check In:
Notice how you’re feeling right now. Close your eyes and notice what’s going on inside your mind and body.
How are you feeling?
What are you thinking?
How does your body feel?
Method:
Imagine a treasure map. What does it look like? Maybe you can picture one that a pirate might use to find buried gold on an island! The paper might be old and crinkled and brown, with ink markings to show where the treasure is - X marks the spot! The map also shows the pirate dangers, like poisonous snakes in the jungle, and marks where he might be able to find food to help him with his quest. (Optional) If you’d like to make your paper look old, ask any tea drinkers in your house for their tea bags when they have finished. Dab the damp tea bags over your paper and let it dry before you draw your map. You could also screw the paper into a ball and then flatten it out to make it look really old.
To start your map, think about a goal or dream you have in your life. This could be a place you would like to go, something you would like to do (like a job or a hobby), or a skill you would like to learn. On your paper, write a large ‘X’ to mark the spot that represents that goal. You could write what it is under the ‘X’.
Decide where you are now on the map. You could mark this by drawing a house, a person, or another image to represent you.
Think about what the road to the goal will look like. Do you imagine it will be straight and easy, or winding and difficult? Mark the road as you imagine it between you and your destination.
Along your road, fill in the rest of the paper with drawings of things that might make it difficult to achieve your goal, or people and things that will help you on your way. You can write down words that you think of, or you might draw creative ways of picturing your ideas… the Snakes of Self-Doubt could be blocking the path, or Disappointment Road leads you astray. Perhaps you are helped along by people in your family, find a rest at the Fountain of Focus, and find a shortcut through the Hills of Hard Work.
When you have finished, look at the journey you have imagined to your hope or goal. What do you need to do to start on your journey? Who would you like to share your map with?
Extra Activity: Think of something you hoped for in the past that eventually did happen. Imagine you were back at the beginning of that journey. What would the map look like?
When you’ve finished, spend a moment reflecting on the activity and ask yourself the following questions:
Did you learn anything new about yourself while you did this activity?
Do you imagine this is a journey you would take on your own, or with somebody else? Who was there to help you on your journey?
What skills or character traits will help you get to your destination?
Are any of the difficulties on your map things that you are worried about? What might help those worries feel less scary?
What are you excited about on your journey?
Conclusion:
This activity helps you to think about hopes and dreams you have for the future, and think about the path to achieving your goals. While you draw your map, you can think about your relationships and who helps to support you when things are difficult.
Take a moment to notice how you are feeling at the end of this activity. Did you discover anything surprising? What can you take away to make you feel better about yourself from this activity?
If you would like to, share something about your experience with this activity with someone you live with! Ask the person who looks after you to send us an email if you have any questions or comments about the activity, or would like to send us any pictures (info@catcorner.co.uk). Don't forget to subscribe for more fun CAT activities!
Created by Heather Dingle © April 2020
Creative Arts Used: Art
Psychological Areas Explored: Relationships, Self-Exploration, Resilience
If you enjoyed this activity, you might also like: Love Yourself: Discover your positive traits through this fun, creative activity.
These activities could be done by children of all ages, but some may need the support of their parent or carer to read the instructions or complete the activity safely.
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