Kids’ Korner

Spring Treasure Hunt with Treasure Balls

Spring is the time when we all feel energized after being relegated to the indoors over winter.  It can be a time of much fun outdoors if you are ready with a great project.  Right now is an ideal time to plan a couple of activities, so make a list of the friends you want to join you in a treasure hunt.  You will also need to create a list of things that you might search for.  When you have the list, write each item on a piece of paper.  You are now ready to make the treasure balls.

The balls can be made from old newspaper or junk mail.  Wad the paper up tightly with one of the pieces of paper inside.  Hide the balls as the first part of the “hunt.” Teams search for all the balls.  When all have been located, join together as a group and divide the total number of treasure balls by the number of teams you have.  With a wastebasket handy, unwrap the balls and retrieve the paper slips inside.  You now have the items you will need to find on the treasure hunt.

Ideas include: a purple pencil, a piece of yellow ribbon, a set of chopsticks, an old road map for a state other than your own, a sailor hat, a magazine that is at least 6 months old, today’s paper, an empty bathroom tissue roll, a red gift bag or red tissue paper, an orange, a smooth black rock, a yellow flower, a cactus thorn, a mismatched sock, a piece of junk mail, a piece of chalk, a pine cone, a fall colored leaf and any other items you might want to add to the list. You want things that are fairly easy to find but not too easy.

For special treasure balls, you can make them from a clay-like substance and hide gifts inside.  This would be a “seek and destroy” project because the only way you can get to the prize is to smash the treasure ball.  Materials: You will need 1 cup used coffee grinds, 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/4 cup sand, 3/4 cup water.

Instructions:  Put all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until blended.  Slowly add water until the mixture can be kneaded.  It should be the consistency of bread dough.  Shape into a ball and then press your thumb into the center to make an indentation.  Wrap the tiny gift in plastic wrap, put it into the opening and then pinch the dough closed and roll the ball to be smooth all around.  Let your treasure balls air dry for 2-3 days and be sure to rotate them so they dry evenly.  Don’t let them dry too long or they turn to “rock” and are almost impossible to break.

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 150 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  Also, break the treasure balls outside where it's easier to clean up!

Ideas for Using Treasure Balls:  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.  Hide tiny things like toy lizards or insects, jewelry or trinkets in them.

Book Medal Winner

The 2009 Caldecott Medal winner is The House in the Night, illustrated by Beth Krommes and written by Susan Marie Swanson (Houghton Mifflin Company).  Richly detailed B/W scratchboard illustrations expand this timeless bedtime verse.  The Medal was named in honor of 19^th C. English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is awarded annually by the Assoc. of Library Service to Children.

Youth Art Month

Many schools and art supply retailers have special activities and/or events to celebrate Youth Art Month in March, so be on the lookout.  For online coloring and activities, craft ideas, lesson plans and more, one place to visit is http://www.crayola.com/calendar/detail.cfm?event_id=127&year=2009.

Cartoon Character Competition

For 30 years artist Marc Brown has been drawing the cartoon “Arthur,” which has appeared in books and is viewed on television in 100 countries.  Now if you are between the ages of 6-12 you can create a new friend for the boy aardvark, one who can show the gang in Elwood City that children come in all shapes, sizes and abilities—in the Arthur/All Kids Can Character Search. The winner and his/her character will appear in a segment of an “Arthur” show and also meet Marc Brown.  Kids/families can download an entry form at http://www-tc.pbskids.org/arthur/allkidscan/AKC%20Entry%20Form%20Online.pdf.  Deadline is March 31, so get busy!

Create a Kite

The Autry National Center, Griffith Park Campus, Los Angeles, will present a Family Playhouse:  Mini Kites on March 29 from 1-2:30 pm.  The history of kites in China is very long.  Traditionally, kite flying was believed to be good for one’s health, and this view is still held by some today.  So come and create a beautiful mini kite of your own.  Free with museum admission.  323.667.2000.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 19 No. 5 — March 2009