Treasure balls

Treasure Balls

Materials List

1 cup used coffee grinds
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1/4 cup sand
3/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until blended.  
   
2. Slowly add water until the mixture can be kneaded.  It should be the consistency of bread dough
   
3. Shape into a ball, then press your thumb into the center to make a hole.  Put the treasure in the hole (see Treasure Ball 1 in the picture above), then the dough over the hole and roll out the ball to hide the hole (see Treasure Ball 2).
   
4. Let your Treasure Balls air dry for 2-3 days.  Be sure to rotate them so they dry evenly.

Hints:

• If the mixture is too wet, add more flour.
• If the kids are in a hurry, your Treasure Balls can be 'baked' on a cookie sheet in a 150F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Break the Treasure Balls outside where it's easier to clean up!
• Don't leave them for more than week, or you will need a hammer to break them!

 

Ideas for Using Treasure Balls

• Hide the clues in the balls (wrapped in plastic, or in small plastic containers) for a Treasure Hunt.
• Children can put small (plastic wrapped!) presents inside a Treasure Ball.  Would make a fun way to give Mom a necklace.
• Put colored disks in the Treasure Balls.  Assign points to the different colors and see whose treasure balls have the most points.
• Use Treasure Balls to put some fun in simple presents for children.  If your giving a young boy a collection of marbles, or plastic lizards, hide them in treasure balls.

For more ideas, learn about Treasure Hunts.

Ideas for items to put in a Treasure Ball

• Beads
• Small plastic toys
• Fancy erasers
• Well-wrapped candy
• Coins
• Clues to a big treasure

We got this Idea at creative kids at home click HERE to go to it