Scratch off posters are a fun way to keep track of bucket lists and record memories of places you've been or things you've done. They can also help you plan future trips and activities. There are many different posters available, but if you can't find just the right one for your list, why not make your own?

Step 1: Design your scratch off poster

You can design your scratch off poster using any graphics software you like, such as Photoshop or Canva. The general idea is to create a bunch of small pictures of whatever your theme is, and label them each with the name/title.

You'll eventually cover the photos with scratch off material, so you'll definitely need those titles in order to know which spot is which before scratching.

When it comes to design, your options are unlimited, but sometimes that can be a hard way to start, so we created a Canva template that we're happy to share with you. We created this template when we made our Top 100 Amusement Park scratch off poster, and it's a great starting point.

Just open our Top 100 template in Canva and customize it to make your design. There's an editable title at the top and 100 small square photo blocks that you can update with your photo. Each one has an editable title underneath as well.

Once you've updated the template and saved your design, you can export it as an image file and get it printed at 24"x36" size, either through Canva or at your local office supply store.

One important thing to consider when designing your poster is the size and shape of the scratch off areas. Depending on the method you choose in Step 3 below, the size might be very important. Our 24"x36" template happens to have 2"x2" photos, which will work great with the 2" square scratch off stickers we describe in first method in Step 3. If you use the second method, size and shape won't matter.

Step 2: Laminate your poster

To make it as easy as possible to scratch off your list items without damaging the poster underneath, you'll want to laminate it with a glossy finish. You can get this done at your local office supply store, or you can use a home laminating machine.

Or for a super affordable alternative that works even better on small scratch off items, you can laminate the surface with packing tape. Just carefully apply it in strips until the surface is covered.

Step 3: Adding the scratch off coating

There are two ways we've found to add the scratch off coating to your poster. You can do it with simple scratch off stickers, or you can modify craft paint to create scratch off coating in any color.

First method: Adding scratch off stickers

The easiest way by far to add scratch off coating to your poster is with scratch off stickers. They are available in various sizes, and for our amusement park poster, we used 2x2 square scratch off stickers and simply applied them directly to the poster, covering the individual images.

These stickers provide instant results, with a coating that's super fun to scratch off. It's so satisfying to see the images underneath being revealed.

Second method: Making scratch off paint

You can create your own custom scratch off coating, in any color you like, by mixing a few basic household items: craft paint and dish soap.

Just mix 2 parts craft paint to 1 part dish soap to create a paint that you can brush right onto the areas you want to cover. You can stick with the classic silver scratch off color, jazz it up with gold, or you can even use a totally different color to match the theme of your poster. Just keep in mind that metallic paints will look best, and colored dish soap might change the color of your paint.

You definitely need to laminate the surface with a glossy finish before adding this paint, or else you'll never get it to scratch off properly. Then just brush the paint mixture right over the spots you want to cover.

The paint is kinda thin, so it will take a 2-3 coats to get good coverage, but just keep at it. You can mask off the area with tape if you need help painting perfect squares.

If your edges aren't perfectly straight, guess what... it's easy to clean up because this is scratch-off paint! Just run a toothpick along the edges to tidy things up if needed.

When the paint is dry, you can scratch the areas off as they are completed. So cool!

Other scratch off poster ideas

The possibilities are endless with creating your own scratch off posters. Sometimes the ones you find already made just aren't quite personal enough, so use your imagination and make your own. They make great gifts for people who are hard to shop for.

Here are some of our favorite unique scratch off poster ideas:

• Foods to try
• Campgrounds to stay at
• Sports cars to drive
• Designer fashions to own
• Cocktail drinks to master
• Hotels or resorts to stay at
• Cruise ships to sail on
• Beaches to visit

Do you have more ideas? Share your suggestions or finished posters with us @chicaandjo so we can see how awesome they are.