Birdhouse Treasure Box Inspired by “Tilly”

Are you looking for a great craft to make with your children for Book Week? These birdhouse treasure boxes were inspired by one of this year’s CBCA shortlisted Picture Books Tilly, written by Jane Godwin and illustrated by Anna Walker.

Tilly’s found the perfect hiding place to keep her special treasures. No one knows about it, not even her big brothers and sister, who know everything. But one day, something happens that Tilly could never have imagined…

In this beautiful story, Tilly has two secret hiding places to keep her special treasures, in her bedroom step and in a birdhouse. Today we are going to make birdhouse treasure boxes to keep our special treasures in.

To make our treasure boxes you will need the following craft supplies:

Supplies

• Small box
• Scissors
• Glue
• Sticky tape
• Patterned paper
• Pencil
• Felt tip pens
• Paints
• Paint brush
• Embellishments

Step 1

For this craft you will need a small box like the one below. I found these boxes at Kmart for $3. There are 10 boxes in the pack and I think they are the perfect size. They are also nice and cheap if you would like to make this craft with your class. You could also make your own box using thin cardboard and a template from the internet, a quick google search will bring up lots of results.

Step 2

Push the bottom of the box outwards, so the bottom flaps are sticking up.

Step 3

Using scissors cut the two end flaps into triangles. These will become the pitch of the roof. Cut off the remaining sides.

Step 4

Push the triangle flaps up, so they are inline with the sides of the box. The box will start to resemble a little house.

Step 5

Cut the roof out of thin cardboard. I used a cereal box. My roof measures 7cm x 12cm.

Step 6

Fold the cardboard in half to create a pitched roof.

Step 7

Stick 4 short pieces of tape (I used masking tape, but any sticky tape will do) to the back sides of the 2 triangle flaps.

Step 8

Stick the roof on to the house by securing it with the tape. I opened the bottom of my box so it was easier to stick it from underneath. Before you attach your roof you might like to paint or decorate the bottom side. I forgot to do this and wasn’t able to paint over the glossy image once it was attached.

Step 9

Cut out a little hole for the ‘bird.’ I drew a small circle on the front of my house and used nail scissors to cut the hole. You might like to use a craft knife or hole punch instead.

Step 10

Time to decorate! I used paint and patterned paper to decorate my house. But you might like to add details with felt tip pens or add embellishments like sequins, beads or washi tape. For the roof I cut paper to the size of the cardboard and glued it on using PVA glue.

After your house has dried, it’s time to find some special treasures to keep inside. Just like Tilly in the story you might already have some treasures; a little bell, a smooth stone or a wooden doll, or you might like to go on a hunt to find some new treasures to keep inside.

If you love the idea of a treasure box but would like a more simple version, why not decorate a small box instead.

Using the same box as I used for the birdhouses I simply painted the box with lots of bright colours and added a foam letter to the front for my daughter Zoë. On the second box I used felt tip pens and paint to create a little garden scene. You might like to add paper, stickers, glitter or sequins.

Once your box has dried, add all those secret little treasures you have found!

I hope you enjoy making these little treasure boxes with your children! They are lots of fun to make and lots of fun to fill with lots of tiny treasures!

Looking for more Book Week 2020 crafts? Take a look here: | Puppy Dog Ear Craft Inspired by “When Billy Was a Dog” | Hot Air Balloon Craft Inspired by “Nop”

Or is you are looking for some Book Week display inspiration, take a look here: | Curious Creatures, Wild Minds Book Week Display 2020