Treasure Chest Craft

Children have a habit of collecting small keepsakes and treasures that they find in the course of their playtime. This antique-style treasure box is just the thing for keeping your child's collection safe...and using up some paper scraps, too! Gather old paper from the recycling box and tell your child to round up his treasures. Then get crafting!

To add to the fun, weave some pretend play into your crafting session. Encourage your child to use his imagination to create a story behind the origin of his treasure box—perhaps it was buried on a desert island by pirates, or an Englishman's keepsake box lost at sea during a storm.

What You Need:

• Wrapping paper, or other coated glossy paper, crumpled. Shelf paper works wonderfully, too.
• Fabric dye in a light color
• Hot water
• Pan
• Stove
• Cardboard jewelry box
• White glue poured into a cup
• Paintbrush

What You Do:

1. Pour hot water into the pan and place it on the stove. Add the fabric dye and stir until completely dissolved.
2. Bring the dye to a boil, then add the paper. Coated paper, like wrapping paper scraps or shelf paper will result in a leathery looking box. Whatever you choose, boil the paper for five minutes.
3. Carefully remove the paper from the dye and rinse it in cold water.
4. Have your child carefully squeeze out the water from the paper.
5. Spread the paper out to dry on a table or other flat surface. Once dry, the paper resembles leather and can be used in any papier-mache project.
6. To make the treasure box, turn the cardboard jewelry box and its lid upside down.
7. Paint the box with white glue.
8. Help your child cover the box with the boiled paper. You can use strips, torn pieces, or large sheets.
9. Dab glue on the inside edge of the box. Try not to put too much paper on the edge of the box or inside the lid as the lid may not fit back on the box if there is too much added thickness.
10. Continue gluing boiled paper over the rim and inside the box. Cover the entire box and lid inside and out.
11. Let the box dry completely. Be sure the box is thoroughly dry before placing the lid on top.

Now your child has a leathery, vintage-looking box where he can keep all of his favorite treasures.