Gumball Jars/Treasure Jars

This is always a favorite project with kids of all ages. It is very inexpensive and can be completed in about ninety minutes. As I add new projects to this blog I will always try to say where the idea came from. This is a project that I have been doing for over 15 years and unfortunately cannot say where it originated. If anyone know for sure let me know.

As you can see, this can be done in many different ways. Here I show one with Packer football colors and one for Valentines Day. Let the kids choose their theme or colors. They can make it for just about any holiday or occasion. Your child can make it, fill it with gumballs and give it as a birthday gift to a friend.

SUPPLY LIST

1-four inch Rose clay pot

1-5 inch saucer

1-glass vase

1-2 inch wooden ball. Flat on the bottom.

2 or more paint colors, Craft paints are best, they dry QUICKLY!!
1 bottle of Tacky Glue

2 or more 1-1.5 inch wide sponge brushes

Ribbon or fabric.

Tacky glue
Gumballs or Treasures

Optional: stickers, stencils, other embellishments

So the first thing you want to do is determine what colors you want your gumball jar to be. Will it be a sports team, your favorite colors, a holiday? 2-3 colors are best, any more and it may look too busy.

You can purchase all of these materials at craft stores, such as Micheal's or Joann Fabrics and of course WalMart has it all as well. The pot and saucer will run about $2.00 total, the vase, you can usually find for about $1.00. I have only found the wooden balls in a bag of 7 for about $2.00. But if you like the craft you will have plenty for another jar. Paint, brushes and ribbon just depend on what you choose. You may find some of these items already in your home.The whole project without gumballs costs around $5-7. Your child can also use this as a treasure jar instead of a gumball jar by putting all of their small, "special items" in it.

Now that you have all of your supplies you can have your child start painting. Have them pour a little paint at a time onto a paper plate, cool whip cover, plastic disposable cup or anything you can find that you don't mind throwing out afterward.

1. Decide if you will use one or two colors on the pot and saucer. As you can see in my pictures I have done it both ways. Let your child be creative and decide how they want to paint it. Once they have decided, paint the outside of the pot, including the bottom, (which will be upside down when we are finished). They have to put a second coat of paint on it so don't worry too much that the color of the pot is coming through. Paint the rim and just a little bit inside of the pot. No need to paint it all as this will be upside down when we are finished. Paint it once and set aside. We will come back to it after you paint the saucer. It drys quickly.

2. Decide how the saucer will be painted. Paint the inside of the saucer next. Just one color would be best, as this will not be seen. This too will need a second coat later. Set aside to dry.

3. Paint the wooden ball. Set aside.

4. Test the paint on the pot to see if it is dry enough for the second coat of paint. If so, go ahead and do it all over again.

5. Now paint the outside of the saucer. You can use one or two colors here. Some of the kids in my classes have chosen to paint the rim of the saucer one color and the main part the other color. As the bottom of the Packer jar.

6. Once the saucer is dry go over it again with the second coat of paint. Let dry.

OPTIONAL: Once everything is dry you can have your child add stickers, paint designs or decorate it any way they choose.

7. Putting the jar together.

Turn the saucer upside down and put glue on the flat side wooden ball. Place ball in the center of the saucer.

Place a LOT of glue on the bottom of the pot. Getting it all over and to the edge of the pot. Place the globe vase on top, and gently place pressure to help secure. If the glue comes out of the hole in the pot or along the sides just wipe the side off, it will dry clear and you won't see any sign of the glue.

Take a long piece of ribbon, or you can use fabric that you rip down to the size you want. Make it long enough wrap around the jar where the vase and pot are glued together, and to tie either in a knot or a bow. The bow will take more ribbon or fabric than tying it in a knot. Make sure you have enough either way for some ribbon/fabric to hang down a bit.

Fill with gumballs or treasures, place the cover on top and you are finished!

Let me know what your child thought of this project and I would like to know how they decorated theirs.