Your Childrens Birthday Parties

How To Make A Pirate Compass

Every pirate needs some help finding his direction so, Cindy is going to show you how to make a pirate compass. This will make a great craft project for your pirate birthday party. You will be pleased with the results and so will the kids.

The Captain’s Compass by Cindy Littlefield

The Captain’s Compass was considered one of the most treasured items on the Seven Seas. Captain Jack Sparrow’s Compass was a gift from Tia Dalma, designed to lead to what your heart wants most.

The compass the kids will make will not help them when it comes to finding true north. This palm-size replica is fitted with a spinable compass needle that a young pirate can point toward the object of their own heart’s desire.

You’ll need:

* 2 miniature square jewelry or craft boxes with covers (sold in large craft supply stores)*
* Craft knife
* Black acrylic paint
* Paintbrush
* Compass templates
* Scissors
* Pencil
* White cards tock or heavy weight paper
* Red marker
* Ruler
* Non-toxic gold leaf pen
* Glue stick
* Paper hole punch
* Brass paper fastener

*The box shown here measures 3 inches diagonally from corner to corner

Instructions:

1. Remove the covers from the boxes and set them aside to use for the compass case. Discard one of the boxes and use the other to make the inner face of the compass by trimming the sides so they are the same height as the box lids. An easy way to do this is to set the bottom of the box inside the cover, as shown. Then trace along the edge of the lid and cut the box along the pencil line.

2. Paint the outsides of the trimmed box and one of the covers black. Paint the second cover inside and out to serve as the top of the compass case.

3. While the paint dries, print out the compass templates and cut out the pieces. Trace the larger circle, the compass needle, and the hinge onto white card stock. Cut out the tracings.

4. Center the smaller template circle atop the card stock circle and trace around it with red marker. Next, use the ruler and marker to divide the card stock circle into eight wedges. Draw additional marks to divide the border of the circle into sixteenths.

5. Use the gold leaf pen to color the compass needle and the hinge, and to outline the edges and tops of the compass face and case, as pictured.

6. Glue the circle onto the compass face. Then use the craft knife to make a small slit through the center of the circle and the underlying cardboard.

7. Punch a hole through the center of the compass needle and insert the paper fastener through it and then down through the slit in the compass face. Spread the fastener ends on the underside of the cardboard keeping them loose enough for the needle to spin.

8. Insert the compass face into the case bottom and then set the case top in place. Glue the paper hinge to the back of the case, as shown.

If you need any plates, napkins, stickers or any other item to complete your theme party you will find them on these pages, Pink Skull Party Supplies, Pirates Party Supplies and Little Buccaneer Party Supplies so, take a look.