Stone Treasure Hunt
Skill level: Beginner
You will need:
- Five assorted stones or pebbles, preferably with a flat surface – see Notes
- Stone decoration templates [download here]
- Treasure map [download here]
- Water-based craft acrylic or artists acrylic paint – metallic and matte colours
- Water-based acrylic paint sealant
- Artist brushes
- Palette or old plate for paints
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Marker pen – optional
- Access to a printer
- Scissors
- Jar with water
- Card or newspaper
Notes: To protect stone beaches in the U.K it is illegal to remove pebbles and stones. Suitable stones can be found in your own garden or bought from garden centres.
If buying: check that the pebbles or stones don’t have a sealant applied as these cannot be painted on.
Tips: Depending on the surface; more than one coat of paint may be needed especially when using metallic colours. Allow each coat to dry fully before applying more or painting embellishments (gems on the crown, number on coin).
Rinse brushes in a jar of water and dry between coats of paint.
To make:
1. Thoroughly wash the pebbles first to remove any dirt or dust.
2. Once dry; put the stones on a piece of card or newspaper. Draw around the cut-out templates, or freehand copy, using a pencil to give an outline to decorate. Paint a cross on one stone to mark where the ‘treasure’ is hidden.
3. Colour in the designs with water-based craft or artists’ acrylic paint. The pencil outline can be erased, covered with paint or a marker pen. Allow at least an hour drying time at room temperature.
4. Once the painted designs are dry the stones can be sealed with a water-based acrylic sealant to protect them. Allow an hour at room temperature for this to dry fully.
5. Print out the treasure map and write the order they can be found using the numbered key and on the map. Or write in clue hints instead. The map can also be coloured in. See below for tips on how to create an aged look…
Tips: Creating an antique or ‘weathered’ look to the treasure map can be done by giving a watered-down wash of brown paint to the paper before printing. Allow drying thoroughly before printing out. Alternatively dab the printed map gently with a used, cold, tea bag, being careful not to smudge the ink too much. Tear the edges of the paper and crumple the sheet to give it a used look.
6. Hide your pebbles and enjoy the treasure hunt. An optional ‘treasure’ can also be buried under or hidden by the stone with a cross!
Project design: Addison Evans