I call this the interactive, travel, pin up map!
This map creates a fun, cute way to track your travels across the wonderful USA!
Material for a United States Cork Board
- cork board from Good Will ($2.99)
- pencil
- sharpie
- ribbon
- pins
- stapler
- Dremel – the fun, hand held power tool that cuts through everything
How To Make a Travel Map
Also be prepared to leave your perfectionist ways at home. You will drive yourself mad trying to make the outlines of the states perfect.
Step 1 – Draw the outlines of the United States
I attempted to print out a template…but in the end, I traced the outside edge, and filled it in by hand. I recently found THIS template at Design Sponge. There are actually 6 templates that you tape together…I think it would be very helpful 🙂 p.s. erasing is not good… see south Texas.
Step 2 – Use the sharpie to make a dark outline
Step 3 – Cut
Use the Dremel to cut the outline of the United States out of the cork board.
Step 4 – Draw in the States
This is where your perfectionist tendencies need to go out the window. I free handed the lines while looking at a map of the United States. It was time consuming, but surprisingly relaxing. I used the Silhouette to cut out the flag shape.
Step 5 – Add Ribbon
Staple the ribbon to the back of the cork board, and hang on the wall.
Start tracking your travels and pinning them up 🙂
What size does this end up being?
It totally depends on the size of your cork board! Mine is 24 inches by 18 inches!
Love this! I ordered a dremel off amazon to do this but I am unsure as to what attachment/bit you used to cut out the map. Please help!
This is fantastic!!! What kind of bit did you use for the Dremel?
Such a great idea to teach geography! Just pinned it. 🙂