Directions for Kids to Make a Jewelry Box for Mom

Turn a standard egg carton into a stylish jewelry box for Mom.

Surprise Mom with a handmade jewelry box designed especially for her. With a few simple supplies, fashion a unique jewelry box for Mom out of a standard cardboard egg carton with six, 12 or 18 separate compartments to organize jewelry depending on the size of the egg carton. This craft activity is suitable for classrooms and Scouts, summer camp or for individual kids with some supervision. The supplies are readily available or easily found at basic arts and crafts stores.

Things You'll Need

• Old newspapers
• Smock
• Cardboard egg carton (any size)
• Craft paints (acrylic)
• Paintbrush
• Craft glue
• Glitter and decorations

Instructions

1. Prepare your work space by setting down old newspapers to keep the paint and glue from making a mess. Put on a smock to protect your clothes and set your paints, brushes and egg carton on the newspaper.

2. Open the egg carton and lay it flat on the newspaper with the outside (the top and bottom) facing up and the inside (the egg cups) facing down. Paint the top and bottom of the egg carton with acrylic paint in your choice of colors. It's easiest to paint the egg carton this way so the top and bottom are evenly coated. Let the paint dry for several hours or for one day until completely dry.

3. Flip the painted egg carton over with the paint side down and the egg cups facing up. If desired, paint the inside of the cover in your choice of paint colors. You may paint the egg cups if you wish, but use the paint lightly so it doesn't flake on to Mom's jewelry when dry. Allow this paint to dry for several hours or overnight.

4. Fold the hinge on the egg carton so the top closes over the bottom, but do not close the egg carton latch yet. Use the glue, glitter and decorations to create a pretty jewelry box for Mom. You may also use colored craft feathers, shiny buttons and photos to decorate the jewelry box. Allow the glue to dry completely for several hours or overnight.

Tips & Warnings

• If desired, spray over the finished paint with a spray glaze and allow to dry according to the glaze instructions before decorating the jewelry box. The spray glaze can seal the outside top and bottom and the inside cover and egg cups to help prevent the paint from flaking.

• If using spray glaze, be sure to only use it with adult supervision and in a well-ventilated area so you do not inhale the fumes.

Resources

• All Crafts