This is a fun activity, perfect for the summer and easy to put together, although you do need to think ahead. We have done this many times now, if you are working on a theme at the moment you can make the treasure themed, such as toy dinosaurs. As you can see, this was made with 'random things from around the house.
How to make it...
Get a plastic Tupperware style box or similar and search the house for 'treasure' ours included plastic animals, beads, buttons, coins and other plastic toys.
Put a few bits of treasure in the box and fill with water about 1/3 of the box.
Pop into the freezer.
When that layer has frozen, add another layer of treasure and freeze again.
Add a final layer and freeze.
Then when you get it out give your child the block and tell them to get the treasure. This usually involves several experiments on the best way to get the treasure out.
On another note...
This is my Great Aunt Henrietta, she is a spritely 94 years young (well except for her dodgy hips and failing eyes!) In her last letter to me, she said she had been trying to find a teddy bear pattern to knit, now she can't get out so much these days and she is not computer savvy so I was going to see if I could find some free patterns to download and print for her. The trouble is, I am NO knitter and so I have no idea how difficult a knitting pattern is. Her fingers are not as nimble as they were so it needs to be something biggish, not too fiddly if you get what I mean.
If anyone can point me in the right direction that would be lovely :o)
