With a precocious 4 year old underfoot, we have become entranced by all things pirate. She adores pirates, and her upcoming 5th birthday will fulfill her fantasy.

To complete the decorations (which will become her playthings later) we planned on going cheap.  Cardboard boxes will serve as, treasure chests, boat race wear and palm trees.

To transform a milk box from the grocery store simply follow these steps:

Prep the box by removing all but 1 flap.
If you desire paint your box, brown or black to be more authentic.

 

The side with the flap now becomes the back of the chest.

Meaure the sides and create a nice smooth curve to shape the top of the chest. Be sure that both curves are identical so the top will work correctly.

Using a long piece of cardboard from another box, measure the width of the milk box. The length should extend over the box by at least 10 inches.  The excess will be removed in a later step.

Using scissors,score the piece that is to become the lid every inch. Be sure not to cut all the way through the cardboard. You are only making the curve easier to achieve.

 Gently bend the cardboard lid into a curve.  You will refine it later

 Add glue to one section of the top.

 Trim the flap on the milk box to about 1 1/2 inch. then attach the glue covered section of the cardboard top

 

When the glue has dried, prepare to hot glue the curved cardboard and the cardboard curved you cut earlier.

 

Using hot glue, bend the lid around the curved shape and hold until the glue has set. repeat with the other side.

Trim the curved cardboard to complete the lid. I folded 1 section under an glued it to make it more sturdy.

Using contact paper (I used stainless steel looking from Lowes) or ribbon decorate your treasure chest.

Gold pony beads give a studded look to the chest