Rainbow Pot of Gold Craft for Kids
Paper-strip rainbows, fluffy cotton clouds and a shiny pot of gold make this a cheerful St. Patrick’s Day project for little hands.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelEasy
- Time45 minutes to 1 hour
- Budget$5-$10
- Steps7
This rainbow pot of gold craft for kids combines a curved paper rainbow, puffy cotton-ball clouds and a black pot overflowing with gold coins. It’s colorful, a little bit three-dimensional, and simple enough for preschoolers with help while still being fun for early elementary kids.
Along the way, children practice cutting along lines, ordering colors and counting coins, so it doubles as a quiet learning activity. The finished piece makes a sweet wall hanging, classroom display or front-door decoration.
Below you’ll find a materials list, step-by-step directions and easy ways to adapt the project for different ages.
Materials & tools
Tick things off as you gather them. We’ll remember your list on this device.
You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Prep the rainbow strips
Cut one 1 x 12 in. strip from each rainbow color. For younger kids, draw the lines with a ruler and let them cut, or pre-cut the strips yourself. Lay them out in rainbow order, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and talk through the sequence together.
Shape the arches
Trim each strip so the arch nests inside the next: red stays 12 in., then remove about 1.5 in. from each following color, so purple is around 4.5 in. Bend each strip into an arch and glue the ends onto the background, starting with red on the outside and working inward. The strips will stand up slightly, giving a nice 3D effect.
Cut the pot
Fold the black paper in half and draw half of a rounded pot shape along the fold, about 4 in. tall, with a lip at the top. Cut it out and open it for a symmetrical pot. Glue only the sides and bottom so the top stays open like a pocket.
Make the gold coins
Trace 10 to 15 circles about 1 in. wide on gold or yellow paper and cut them out. Kids can count the coins as they go. If you’re using yellow paper, a swipe of gold glitter glue or a crayon shine line makes them look metallic.
Fill the pot of gold
Glue the coins so they overlap and pile up above the rim of the pot, tucking a few into the pocket. Place the pot at one end of the rainbow so it looks like the rainbow lands right in it. Press down for a few seconds to make sure everything sticks.
Add the clouds
Gently pull the cotton balls apart to fluff them. Spread white glue at the other end of the rainbow and press four or five cotton balls into a cloud shape. Repeat at the pot end if there’s room, so both ends of the rainbow are tucked into clouds.
Dry and display
Lay the craft flat for at least 30 minutes so the white glue under the cotton dries fully. Punch two holes at the top and thread yarn through to hang it, or tape it to a window or fridge.
Tips for success
- Cover the table with newspaper or a plastic cloth; white glue and cotton fluff get everywhere.
- Put a small amount of glue on a paper plate and let little ones apply it with a cotton swab for more control.
- Supervise young children closely with cotton balls and small coins, which can be choking hazards for toddlers.
- Write each child’s name and the date on the back before starting so classroom crafts don’t get mixed up.
- Cardstock for the background keeps the finished piece from buckling under wet glue; plain printer paper tends to wrinkle.
Make it your own
Paper plate rainbow
Cut a paper plate in half, paint or glue colored tissue squares in arcs, and hang the pot of gold from the bottom with a short piece of yarn.
Torn-paper mosaic
Instead of strips, have kids tear small pieces of colored paper and glue them in arcs. It’s great for fine motor practice and very forgiving.
Counting game version
Write numbers on the gold coins and have kids add them to the pot in order, or practice simple addition by grouping coins.
Treat pocket pot
Glue only the bottom and sides of a larger black paper pot, about 5 in. tall, so the pocket is deep enough to hold a few wrapped gold chocolate coins or a small note. It turns the craft into a fun surprise for St. Patrick’s Day morning, and older kids can write a riddle on the back for siblings to solve.
Frequently asked questions
What age is this craft best for?
It works well for ages 3 to 8. Preschoolers need pre-cut pieces and help with gluing, while kids 6 and up can usually measure, cut and assemble on their own.
How long does the glue take to dry?
Glue stick areas are set within a few minutes, but white glue under the cotton balls needs about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much is used.
Can I do this with a group or classroom?
Yes. Pre-cut the strips, pots and coins ahead of time and put each child’s set in a zip bag. With prep done, a group can finish in about 30 minutes.
