DIY Kids Treasure Box

Learn how to make a fun DIY Kids Treasure Box ... it's makes a super fun gift that any child would love!

DIY Kids Treasure Box

What kid does not like collecting things? This DIY Treasure Box is the perfect place to store all their secret finds!

Best of all, it's super easy to make. The box I made for my niece took just a couple hours, and most of that time was spent waiting for paint to dry.

I chose bright, girly colors, but the Treasure Box can be customized to fit any kid. Use their favorite colors inside and out.

Keep reading for the step-by-step tutorial, plus ideas for what to put in a treasure box.

Supplies

Ready to make your own treasure box? Here's what you'll need:

• wood box - these come in a ton of shapes and sizes!
• 4 push pins
• craft paint
• paint palette
• foam paint brush
• flat and angled paint brushes
• computer/printer
• pen
• tape
• silver maker
• black fine point Sharpie

How to Make a DIY Treasure Box

Start by pressing push pins into the bottom corners of the box.

This will raise the box while you're painting it, allowing it to dry without sticking to anything.

Paint the inside of the box first using the foam brush (pour paint in palette for easy access).

Use the flat paint brush to get in the corners.

Let paint dry and add more coats, if needed. I used three thin coats to get the coverage I wanted.

Use the foam brush to paint the outside of the box.

Set the box aside to dry. Once it's dry, add as many coats as you need (letting them dry in between) to get full paint coverage.

Paint the inner edge of the box using the flat brush. I recommend using glitter paint or a fun, contrasting color.

Let this edge dry completely before closing the box.

Adding a Name to the Box

For the lettering on top of the box, open up Microsoft Word.

Type the name, then selected a font and adjust the font size as desired. I used the Desdemona font, and my font size was 100.

Print out the name, and trim down the paper to fit the top of your box. Tape the paper in place, then trace over the black lines with the pen, pressing hard.

Remove the paper when you've finished tracing the name. You should have an indentation around the letters.

Carefully fill in the letters using the silver marker.

The next step is optional, but I went back over the letters with the glitter paint for more sparkle.

Use an angled brush for extra control.

Finally, outline the letters with the Sharpie to make them pop.

And that's it, your homemade Treasure Box is complete!

The glitter edge is my favorite part ... so fun and sparkly.

This box is completely customizable. You can decorate it further with more paint, gems, stickers, and other fun items. Have fun!

What to Put in a Treasure Box for Kids

Make sure to fill the box with a few treasures to get the collection started!

Here are some ideas for what to put in the box:

• Stickers
• Markers or Crayons
• Chalk and a Small Chalkboard
• Ribbon
• Pieces of Colorful Paper
• Small Toys
• Shells or Rocks
• Books
• Masks
• Funny Glasses
• Any other small treasures you think they might like!

More DIY Gift Ideas

If you loved this fun project, make sure to check out this DIY Fishing Game for Kids, too!

And if looking for more DIY gift ideas, you’ll love these easy ideas:

• White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
• Tassel Wine Charms
• Wood Slice Snowflake Coasters
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• Personalized Notepads
• Vintage French Map Coasters + Home Gift Guide

Are you looking for more kids gift ideas, but don't have time to make something? I've rounded up my favorite ideas below!

To go along with this DIY Kids Treasure Box, I’ve created a kids gift guide. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, here are some great ideas!

1. Melissa & Doug Wooden Car Carrier. I love brightly colored, classic wooden toys!
2. Harmonica. Encourage your little musician with this retro favorite!
3. Finger Monsters. These mini monsters are the perfect inexpensive stocking stuffer.
4. Karaoke System with Disco Lights. A star is born! This fun system has audio voice controls to enhance kids' voices, a customizable disco-light show, and dual microphone jacks for duets!
5. Nails, Nails, Nails. Give nail art lovers this fun book filled with professional techniques. They'll learn everything from leopard to plaid to lace and more!
6. Bear in Underwear. What kid wouldn't get a kick out of a stuffed animal in tighty whities?
7. Play Visions 'Snowtime Snowballs'. Have an awesome snowball fight without a storm ... or tears!
8. Hedgehog Coin Purse. This cute coin purse makes a sweet stocking stuffer.
9. Cupcake Lip Gloss. Lip gloss + cupcakes = a match made in heaven!
10. Art 101 154-Piece Tri-Fold Easel Art Set. Budding artists will be so excited to open this huge kit!
11. Paper Airplanes Mega Pack. This cool gift has instructions for how to fold Egret, Pipit, Swallow, and Condor airplanes, as well as more than 275 sheets of paper in unique designs and prints.
12. Lacy Fashion Tattoos. These temporary tattoos are super popular right now and would make a great gift for a teen/tween.
13. Pass the Pigs. This is one of my favorite games! It's sure to have your whole family laughing as they roll the dice ... err, pigs!
14. Pocket Microscope. This powerful, pint size microscope reveals clear, sharp focus at 30x magnification. Guaranteed to fascinate the junior scientist.
15. Sleepover Party Mad Libs. Mad Libs are still as fun as they were when you were young!
16. Smart Phone Projector. This lo-fi smartphone projector magnifies up to 8x for a large picture that your kids can enjoy anywhere.
17. Selfie on a Stick.  This goofy gift extends from 9 to 44-inches, making it easy for the selfie obsessed to snap the perfect pic.
18. The Art of Tangling: Drawing Book and Kit. Kids will love creating whimsical pieces of art using this inspirational 40-page project book and professional-quality materials!
19. Fashion Angel Tapefitti Tape Caddy. This set has 60 rolls of Tapefitti - it sticks to almost any surface and lifts without residue - perfect for decorating pencils, customizing notebooks, making fun fashion accessories, and more!

Do you have any kids on your shopping list this year?