The thirteen colonies were populated by people who left their homes and came to the new world for different reasons. Many came for religious freedom, others came seeking new opportunities. All had to leave behind their old homes and take a long and often dangerous ocean voyage to reach their new home. They were limited in what possessions they could bring with them on the journey. Many brought with them large wooden chests containing souvenirs from the Old World. Have children consider the different colonists who traveled to America. What do they suppose these early settlers would have packed in their chests?
Students can craft their own version of a colonial chest using a shoe box or other sturdy box. Paint over the box using a brown or tan colored paint. Then have students decorate their boxes using colored paints. Examine books that show Colonial motifs or traditional Pennsylvania Dutch designs for inspiration. After the boxes are created, ask students what items they might bring with them if they were leaving their home to start a new life in a land far away.
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