How to make a Golden Matchbox Castle Treasure Hunt game!

This wonderful idea is from the Cape Byron Spring Fair.

It is one of the best games for children I have ever seen, as everyone wins a prize.

Each matchbox insert has a small wooden bead wired onto the front, so small hands can pull the box open.

The boxes were stacked one on top of the other, to form columns about 25 cm high. The columns were glued side by side until the width was about 50cm.

Large columns of sturdy cardboard formed the turrets and these pillars helped hold the whole thing together.

Then it was all spray painted gold.

There were matchboxes to be opened on three sides so there were lots of opportunties to win.

Each matchbox was filled with a tiny treasure.

A small badge, coloured crystals, gemstones, seedpods etc.

You could also add felted flower headbands, 'baby bees' on a string made from tiny seedpods wound with yellow and black thread, button bracelets, teeny fairy friends, elf brooches, or a felt flower.

It cost $1 to play.  Each child would then choose a box and open it by the bead handle.  When it was opened, the child found their little treasure and the empty box was placed in a basket inside the castle.

This way, the Golden Castle could be used year after year.

You could make a smaller version for a child's birthday party.

Happy Matchbox hunting!!