CRAFTivities- Panning For Gold

PANNING FOR GOLD

I did this CRAFTivity with a 2 1/2 year old and an 8 year old. Both LOVED it!
In the photos you see Zorro in the bathtub with the bin. We did it like that because it was an after dark test run to see if he would like it. I had to bribe him to stop after a half hour!

TOOLS:

• Rocks
• Acrylic Gold Metallic Paint
• Paint brushes or sponges
• Wax paper (to lay the painted rocks on until they dry)
• Pie Tin
• Screw driver/drill
• Hammer
• Plastic Bin
• Sand
• Water
  

MAKE IT A CRAFT KIT:
This all should take less than 15 min. And you'll be ready to go later!

Prep the Pie Tin

• poke holes with a screw driver from the bottom side toward the inside (is easiest for hammering after) on half of the tin
  
• hammer down the rough edges until flat so no one can get hurt

Prep the Plastic Bin

Fill bottom of plastic bin with enough sand to cover the rocks. You can buy playground sand at the hardware store from $2.50-$5 for a 50 LB bag. Very cheap and worth having on hand for LOTS of CRAFTivities (like dino bone digs!). You can try dirt but it will get muddy.

Gather your Painting Tools

• Rocks
• Acrylic Gold Metallic Paint
• Paint brushes or sponges
• Wax paper (to lay the painted rocks on until they dry)

Put em in a gallon ziplock bag toss into the plastic bin on the sand.
DONE!


STEPS:

Go on a rock hunt with your kids! Have them pick out rocks that they think would looks like golden nuggets. For older kids have them pick out tiny rocks for younger really young kids, just have them gather any rocks. Large rocks will be easier for them to find when they pan for gold later.

Rinse the rocks then let them dry out

Prep the Pie Tin

• poke holes with a screw driver from the bottom side toward the inside (is easiest for hammering after) on half of the tin
  
• hammer down the rough edges until flat so no one can get hurt

Paint the rocks and place on wax paper while they dry. The rocks will dry pretty fast. If you take a quick snack break they will be ready to go after!

Fill bottom with enough sand to cover rocks. Then add water!

NOW PAN FOR GOLD!

FOR MORE THEMED IDEAS CHECK OUT THESE LABELS:
THEME/SCHOOL BOX- Our planned curriculum for the week
CRAFTivities -Crafts and activities
FIELD TRIP- Theme related outings in Orange County, CA