So we found a small box with a lid and set to work on a little project together! We have started to have special together-time when Pop sleeps in the afternoon, when C can choose whatever she likes to do with me, and this was her chosen idea for this day.
I cut some card from a cereal box and taped it to the lid in an arch shape.
Then we drew around the semi-circle shapes on each end and cut and taped card to fit the gaps.
C. chose a purple colour for her “special box” and she painted it all over the lid and the base.
While we left it to dry we lined the box with some scrunched up, red tissue paper and C. went around the house on a treasure hunt, looking for her favourite special trinkets to fill it up with!
When dry, we cut some silver wrapping paper left over from Christmas and she glued it onto the box lid and base. I cut a little keyhole shape and we found a vintage tiny key from my stash of old keys, perfect for pretend locking and unlocking!
I love the special things that she chose to hide inside it, making up her personal collection of treasures. It’s so interesting to see what your child holds dear, and it’s never quite what you expect! It is now an absolute favourite play thing and has come with us on all trips out of the house this week. Pop is very keen on it and wants her own, so that may be another project later this week!
- go for a treasure hunt around the house and garden, filling the box with special things!
- make and follow a treasure map and hunt for the X marking the spot where some chocolate coins are hidden! Here is a post about a pirate map we made
- read some favourite Pirate themed picture story books and act them out, using the box as a story prop. Here are 5 fabulous books about pirates to try!
- make a pirate treasure island small world play and hide some coins for digging out and filling up the box with!
Learning Links:
creativity: using junk materials to create toys and play resources/ imaginative play pirates, treasure and maps/ combining materials
pshe: making choices/ thinking about what is special to me and why/ creating important personal collections
literacy: retell stories and join in role play, remaining in character and using story-book language
I love that your treasure box started life as a Jo Malone box: I keep all mine out of reach!!
I am going to make a treasure map with my daughter and her little friend this afternoon, thanks for the inspiration, can’t wait! Love the treasure box too. We might also attempt some pirate hats and a telescope, (AKA toilet/kitchen roll)If all goes well I’ll post progress on my blog!
Hehe Kelle! I wondered if anyone would notice the box! I got it for Christmas and lurrrve it and consider it quite a sacrifice that I let her have the box! It’s so delicious 🙂
Sarah that sounds fun! We have telescopes on our to-do list too! A good old favourite use of the humble loo-roll eh?! Have a great time this afternoon!
Great ideas, my little girl(3yrs) is obsessed with all things pirate themed. she had a pirate party for her 3rd birthday recently. We have made the telescopes, but haven’t thought about treasure chest, we’ll have craft day today to make it. Thanks!
Great ideas, my little girl(3yrs) is obsessed with all things pirate themed. she had a pirate party for her 3rd birthday recently. We have made the telescopes, but haven’t thought about treasure chest, we’ll have craft day today to make it. Thanks!
oooh, I love that. My three love all things pirate too!
Ooh what a very lovely Treasure Chest!! Didn’t you do well! And love Cakie’s happy face! You are such a good Mummy!!! I love it when we make something that Red Ted *really wants* – always makes him so happy!
Maggy
PS thank you for the mention!!!
So cute! We did pirates last week and made treasure boxes with popsicle sticks and some pieces of wood. The kiddos love opening and closing the lids and storing their things inside.