Treasure Hunt

Here, I tried to add a bit of intrigue and mystery to a magazine collage directive. I took the group of kindergarten-age children on a brief imaginary journey. They were to make believe that they were going on a treasure hunt through the forest. Then, I told them that each of them finds a sack of treasures...some find it behind a tree, others under a rock or under some shrubbery. I brought them back to the art therapy room (just by talking; not literally - it was a pretend story for the group) and presented a tray of treasure sacks. I cut out pictures of toys and other goodies and wrapped individual piles in pieces of burlap, loosely tied with thin rope. It looked quite earthy, as if the sacks did come from the forest. Next, I had the individuals choose their treasure sack, and explore their bounty. While they did that, I passed out glue and cardboard "canvases" so they could start making their own unique collages. I thought it was more adventurous than simply handing the children piles of pictures to glue onto a board. I liked the mixture of fun foods and toys, along with some "golden nuggets" and foam bits that someone said looked like tires...which actually led me to my next art directive (Road Trip) with this group.