How to Create a Convincing Toy Treasure Chest

Kids love stories about finding treasure. Unfortunately, there are no good toy treasure chests sold in stores that can be used for play. Here's how to make an awesome and realistic toy treasure-filled chest that will be the hit gift next Christmas or birthday.

Start with a treasure chest. I found a small one on Ebay that someone was selling for only one dollar. It is about half the size of a shoe box and made of wood with metal rivets. If you can't find one used, check Ross. They always have small boxes that look like treasure chests in the décor department and they are usually less than five dollars to buy.

Next, you need to fill your chest with treasure. Don't bother buying those fake plastic coins. Chocolate coins are cute, but they will melt or be eaten or attract ants. The best and cheapest way to fill your chest with gold coins is to empty out your spare change jar. Separate the silver coins from the pennies and dump the pennies into the chest. Voila! Now you have your gold coins. Plus, it adds a realistic heft to the chest and the coins will chink and tinkle like real treasure.

What treasure chest is complete without jewelry? I have never seen a treasure chest in a movie that didn't have strings of beautiful white pearls dangling from the side of the box. You can make your own pearl strands for the treasure chest for just pennies. You can either buy some plastic pearls at your local craft store and string them together, or you can find some used fake pearls in the jewelry section of your local thrift store. Thrift stores are also wonderful for finding old vintage rhinestone jewelry that can be added to the chest.

Lastly, don't forget the jewels. Craft stores sell packets of large plastic or glass rhinestone jewels that you can add to your treasure chest. Some have a silver back while others look like whole jewels without flat backs. Choose the type that you think look the most realistic. Drop them into the treasure chest and mix them around with the pennies and the pearl strands.

I made one of these toy treasure chests for my stepdaughter a few years ago and it was her very favorite toy for a long time. Kids can use them for all kinds of pretend games as well as props for putting on plays. Their new play treasure chest will keep them entertained for hours. Enjoy!