August 2007 Craft of the Month- Berry Good Treasure Boxes

If  you haven't noticed- the "Berry Baskets" of yesteryear are gone--those cute little green cut out pint baskets have been replaced by clam shell type plastic boxes that trap the berries inside the box.  So save those boxes and make little treasure boxes that can go anywhere--in the desk, under the car seat, under or next to the bed!



Materials Needed:

Empty Clam Shell Style Berry Boxes (pint or pound sizes)
Acrylic paints
Paint Brushes
Stickers/ Pictures from Magazines to decoupage or finished foam shapes
Magic Markers or squeeze on fabric paints
Glue

Directions:

1.  Wash and dry empty container.
2.  Using acrylic paint, paint top of box and let dry.
3.  Decorate box with stickers, glue on cut out pictures from a magazine or glue on foam shapes.  Let dry.
4.  Finish up decorating box with pipe on fabric paints if desired, or use permanent markers to complete designs.  Let dry.
5.  Use the boxes to store all those great summer treasures you have--small snacks, rocks, shells, baseball cards, small toys, etc.  You will find a million uses for these great personalized boxes!

*To "paint" a lot of boxes for a whole class to complete, use a can of spray enamel paint, spray and let dry and then  let the children take it from step 3 on! The kids will have a "berry good" summer with their trinket boxes.  This craft addresses bilateral motor control, pinch grasp with the placement of pictures or stickers.  To work on scissors skills have the child cut out magazine pictures they like and glue those on. 
  We made these almost a month ago and the children are STILL taking these boxes everywhere with them.  THIS craft will be a real hit with your kids!!!