
Plastic gems are versatile items that can be used for a variety of fun and educational activities for kids. They can be purchased from online retailers such as Etsy or Amazon, or even crafted at home using plastic bottles and paint, nail polish, or glitter. Plastic gems can be paired with playdough to create decorations for pretend cupcakes and muffins, encouraging creativity and imagination. They can also be used for colour sorting, counting, and patterning activities, promoting early math skills. For calming sensory play, gems can be used alongside mindful play mats or shells, providing a relaxing and engaging experience for children. Additionally, plastic gems can be incorporated into water play, such as diving for treasure at the bottom of a pool, creating a fun and active outdoor game. With their sparkling appeal, plastic gems offer endless possibilities for learning and creative play.
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What You'll Learn
- Make a game: hide gems in a 'treasure chest' and sink it, then go diving for gems
- Create decorations: use plastic gems to decorate playdough cupcakes and muffins
- Make your own: turn plastic bottles into gemstones and paint them
- Arts and crafts: use gems for scrapbooking and other craft projects
- Learning tools: use gems for colour sorting, counting, and patterning; also good for learning and creativity

Make a game: hide gems in a 'treasure chest' and sink it, then go diving for gems
Plastic gems can be used in a variety of ways to create fun and engaging games for kids. One such game involves a treasure chest and some diving! This game is perfect for children who love pirates, treasure hunting, and exploring the underwater world.
Here's how you can set up the game:
- Purchase or create a treasure chest: You can find various treasure chest toys online, such as the Swimline Titanic Themed Dive Toy Treasure Chest or the PUBGAMER Diving Gem Pool Toy, which comes with a vintage wooden treasure box. Alternatively, you can get creative and make your own treasure chest using craft supplies or recycled materials.
- Fill the treasure chest with plastic gems: You can use any plastic gems you have on hand or purchase them separately. The gems can be colourful and vary in size, resembling diamonds or other precious stones. Ensure the gems are non-toxic and suitable for children's play.
- Set up the playing area: This game is typically played in a swimming pool or a bathtub. If you're using a pool, ensure it's safe and suitable for children. You can also add some themed decorations, like a pirate ship or a sunken island, to enhance the experience.
- Hide the treasure: Place the plastic gems inside the treasure chest. You can also hide some gems separately around the playing area to create a more extensive treasure hunt. If you're playing in a pool, ensure the gems are evenly distributed and not too deep for younger children.
- Send the kids on a diving adventure: Let the kids dive into the water to search for the hidden gems! They can take turns or work together to find as many gems as possible. Encourage them to use their diving skills and explore the underwater area.
- Retrieve the treasure: Once the kids have found the gems, they can collect them in the treasure chest or a separate container. They can also keep the gems as prizes or use them for further imaginative play.
This game provides an exciting and engaging experience for children, allowing them to develop their diving skills, explore their creativity, and enjoy the thrill of discovering hidden treasures. It's a perfect activity for summer days, pool parties, or anytime you want to bring some adventure into your kids' playtime!
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Create decorations: use plastic gems to decorate playdough cupcakes and muffins
Plastic gems are a versatile craft item that can be used in a multitude of ways. Here is a detailed guide on how to use plastic gems to decorate playdough cupcakes and muffins:
To begin, gather your materials. You will need playdough, plastic gems, and any other desired decorations such as sequins, wooden beads, or candles. You can also add glitter to your playdough to make it extra sparkly. If you don't have any playdough on hand, you can make your own at home or use a store-bought variety. Scented playdough, such as vanilla or cinnamon, can add an extra layer of sensory fun to your activity.
Once you have your materials, pull off a palm-sized ball of playdough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth sphere. Place the ball of playdough into a cupcake liner or a recycled cupcake container. Repeat this step to create as many playdough cupcakes or muffins as you like.
Now it's time to decorate! Use plastic gems to add some sparkle and glamour to your creations. Press the gems into the playdough to secure them in place. You can also use gems as sprinkles by gently pressing them onto the surface of the playdough. Get creative and experiment with different colours and sizes of gems to create unique designs.
In addition to gems, you can use other small pieces of playdough to form decorations such as icing, cherries, or birthday candles. Encourage your child to use their fingertips to create these small details, as it helps improve precision skills and dexterity. You can also practice colour sorting, counting, and patterning by incorporating a hundreds board into your activity.
Finally, display your finished creations on a tray or in a play kitchen. Enjoy your beautiful and delicious-looking playdough cupcakes and muffins! This activity is not only fun but also helps develop fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration.
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Make your own: turn plastic bottles into gemstones and paint them
Plastic bottles can be easily turned into colourful gemstones for kids to play with. This is a simple project that can be done at home, and is a great way to upcycle plastic waste. The gemstones can be used for jewellery, costumes, decorations, cards, and more.
To make your own gemstones, you will need plastic bottles with flower-shaped bottoms. The bigger the bottle, the bigger the gemstone will be. Cut off one of the "feet" of the bottle, ensuring that it looks symmetrical from above and flat on the back. You can use nail scissors or any sharp scissors for this step.
Next, cut small pieces off the ends of a hot glue stick. Be cautious, as these pieces may fly everywhere. Cut these pieces into even smaller sizes to create a variety of crystal sizes. Now, take your plastic piece and add a small layer of glue to the inside. Add the bigger crystal pieces and push them into the centre with a toothpick. Make sure nothing sticks out on the backside.
For colourful gems, you can either use colourful bottles or colour the crystal pieces. To colour the crystals, use a felt-tip pen or a fineliner that is not permanent, and paint on a surface that the pen doesn't stick to, such as plastic or aluminium foil. Pour some glue onto the paint and stir it with a toothpick. Then, add the crystal pieces and cover them with the glue mixture. Spread them out to dry.
Once your gemstone is dry, you can add some sparkle by painting it with glitter or nail polish. If your gemstone has scratches, you can paint it from the outside as well. Take some adhesive putty or Play-Doh and put it on the tip of a pencil. Place the plastic gemstone on top and paint as desired.
Now you have a beautiful, colourful gemstone created from recycled plastic bottles!
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Arts and crafts: use gems for scrapbooking and other craft projects
Plastic gems are a versatile craft supply that can be used for a variety of art and craft projects. They can be glued onto various surfaces to add colour, texture, and sparkle. Here are some ideas for using plastic gems in arts and crafts, specifically for scrapbooking and other similar projects:
Scrapbooking
Plastic gems are a great way to embellish and add some sparkle to your scrapbooking pages. You can use various colours, sizes, and shapes of gems to create unique designs. For example, you could use large, round, crystal-like gems as a focal point on a page, or smaller, colourful gems to create a border or frame. You can also use plastic gems to create a three-dimensional effect on your scrapbooking pages. Try gluing gems to pop-up elements, or creating a cluster of gems in the centre of the page to add depth and interest.
Card Making
Similar to scrapbooking, you can use plastic gems to embellish handmade cards. Use gems to spell out a word or initials, or create a pattern or design that reflects the occasion. For example, a birthday card could feature a gem-covered cake or a string of gems as a border. You can also use gems to add a touch of luxury to a handmade thank-you card or invitation.
Jewellery Making
Plastic gems can be used to create unique jewellery pieces. You can glue gems onto a variety of bases, such as pins, rings, or earring backs, to create colourful and sparkly accessories. You can also string gems together to create a necklace or bracelet. Try using different colours and sizes of gems to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
Home Decor
Plastic gems can also be used to create beautiful home decor pieces. For example, you can glue gems onto a canvas to create a sparkly wall hanging or use them to embellish a picture frame. You can also use gems to create a decorative bowl or tray by gluing them onto a base made of clay or resin.
Colour and Customisation
Plastic gems can be customised to fit any colour scheme or theme. You can paint the gems with nail polish, glitter, or paint to match your project. You can also try filling the gems with colourful items, such as glitter or small beads, to create a unique look.
There are endless possibilities for using plastic gems in arts and crafts, especially for scrapbooking and other decorative projects. With a little creativity, you can add a touch of sparkle and individuality to your creations.
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Learning tools: use gems for colour sorting, counting, and patterning; also good for learning and creativity
Plastic gems can be used as learning tools for children in a variety of ways. One way is to pair them with a hundreds board, which can invite colour sorting, counting, and patterning. This is a simple yet fun activity that can help children develop their cognitive skills and creativity. For example, children can sort the gems by colour, count how many gems of each colour they have, or create patterns using the different colours.
Another idea is to use plastic gems as decorations for playdough creations, such as cupcakes and muffins. This can spark creativity and encourage children to explore their imagination. They can also use the gems to create patterns and designs on the playdough, further enhancing their creativity and fine motor skills.
Gems can also be used with 2D shape mindful play mats, providing a calming and engaging play experience for children. This combination of gems and play mats offers a unique way to learn about shapes and patterns while also fostering a sense of relaxation.
The possibilities for play and learning with plastic gems are endless. They can spark creativity, encourage imagination, and provide a fun way to develop important skills such as colour recognition, counting, and pattern recognition. So, using plastic gems as learning tools can be an enjoyable and educational experience for children.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic gems can be used as decorations for playdough cupcakes and muffins. They can also be paired with a hundreds board to invite colour sorting, counting, and patterning.
You can make plastic gems at home using plastic bottles. You can use paint, nail polish, metallic markers, or glitter to colour the gems.
Plastic gems can be used with 2D shape mindful play mats for a calming activity.
Pairing plastic gems with a hundreds board can invite learning through colour sorting, counting, and patterning.
Plastic gems can be glued onto cardboard to create artwork. They can also be used to decorate cupcakes made of materials like playdough.











































