Pot o' Gold
Holiday Hassles
Here's how to avoid making a mess and wasting glitter: Fold a piece of copy paper in half and then open it up. Set the object on the paper and sprinkle the glitter onto it. When dry, remove the object from the paper and bump the glitter to the fold in the center. Pour the unused glitter back into the container.
Send the kids on a treasure hunt for that elusive pot 'o gold. Tell them you found Lucky Leprechaun's secret map to his treasure chest, and watch their eyes light up as they find the clues leading to their prize. You should get the kids involved in making the chest before hiding it.
Level: Easy
Time involved: One to two hours, plus hunting time
Materials:
- Newspaper
- Unfinished wooden or cardboard treasure chest (You can buy a wooden treasure chest or use a wooden or cardboard box.)
- Green craft paint
- Paintbrushes
- White glue
- Water
- Disposable cup
- Gold glitter
- Acrylic gemstones
- Glue gun
- Candy coins wrapped in gold foil
- Pieces of copy paper
- Scissors
- Glitter pen
Cover your work area with newspapers to protect it. Paint the treasure chest with green craft paint and allow it to dry. Make a mixture of 1/3 cup glue and 2 tablespoons water in the disposable cup and mix together. Paint the glue mixture onto the painted chest. Sprinkle the glitter onto the chest and allow it to dry. Glue the acrylic gemstones around the chest. Place the candies inside the chest.
Cut three pieces of copy paper in half. Using the glitter pen, write clues to locations inside or outside your home that the kids can figure out. For example, you could write "Dad's Favorite Hobby" and lead them to his golf bag. The next clue will be placed in this golf bag, and so on, until the treasure chest is found.
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Holiday Crafts © 2002 by Marilee LeBon. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
To order this book visit the Idiot's Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.
