Two party activities in one…first  go on a hunt to find these homemade treasure-filled stones and then the kids can enjoy breaking them open to reveal the treasure inside.
A homemade clay recipe is used to make the stones, which keeps party costs down and  you can include this activity in a variety of party themes.  When a craft is inexpensive and versatile, it’s a party hit in my book!

Activity Materials:
You may need to double or triple the recipe for large parties.

• 1 cup used coffee grounds
• 1/4 cup sand or cornmeal
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup flour or more
• 1 cup water and cold coffee combined
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• To make treasure or fossil stones, you’ll need small objects like beads, polished stones or coins.
• Variation: Add glitter or food color to make fairy treasure stones.

Before the Party:

1. Combine the coffee grounds, flour, salt, sand/corneal and stir.
2. Slowly add water and coffee and knead until you have a dough consistency.
3. Shape the dough into balls.
4. Make a hole in the ball big enough for a treasure or fossil.
5. Press the “treasure” into the hole, pinching and adding more dough until the treasure is completely covered by dough.
6. Air dry for 2-3 days or bake in the oven the night before the party on a cookie sheet at 150ºF for about 15-20 minutes.
7. Test one of the stones by breaking it before the party.
8. Hide the stones in a sandbox for a dinosaur digging activity. For a pirate fairy or garden party hide the stones around the party area before the kids arrive.

1-2-3 Party Tip:
If you are using the oven-dry method do not use heat sensitive items in the stone. The best object tend to be glass beads, polished rocks and shells.

Party Time:

1. Children will dig to or hunt to find a treasure stone.
2. Break open the stone with kid-sized hammer to reveal the hidden treasure inside.

1-2-3 Party Tip: These Treasure Stones make great party favors!