How to make a tissue paper world map

Colored tissue paper makes beautiful, textured maps. Glued to lightweight paper, these maps have an illuminated quality when taped to windows. They are also involve less clean-up than painted maps.

Materials:

copies of map section sheets,
"butcher block" paper or pre-gridded flip-chart paper (available through business supply stores)
tissue paper in a variety of colors
glue sticks
black markers

Steps:

To make a tissue paper map, draw your grid on lightweight sheets of paper taped together. Some mapmakers have simplified the process by purchasing large sheets of pre-gridded paper. Hand draw your map information block-by-block as usual. (Note: If necessary, you can cut your paper map into workable sections during the project and reassemble it at the end.)

When you are ready to add color:

1. Select tissue paper appropriate to the countries you are coloring. Tear the paper into strips or patches.

2. Cover your targeted area with glue.

3. Affix the tissue paper strips so that they cover the targeted area in a collage-like way.

4. Don't worry about rough borders between colors. Once the paper is dry, outline the borders with a wide black marker, which will cover any gaps.

5. Label your map.