Decoupage Questions!

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As a Christmas gift to the kids of our Sunday Virtues class in the community, I thought it would be cool to let them decoupage their own keepsake wooden boxes. But I've never done it myself!

So far, I've bought several finished and unfinished wooden boxes from Goodwill and Michaels, and thick brushes. For decoupage finishes - I have Royal Coat Decoupage Finish (Antique) and Aleene's Instant Decoupage Finish (Glossy).

And now craft-experts, I need your advice!

1. Apart from fabric and paper cuttings, is there anything else I should provide? Is there a topcoat (or bottom coat) that's necessary with these products?

2. The Royal Coat Finish mentions that it takes 4 weeks to cure. What does it mean by curing - would the item not be usable, or should not have contact with water? The decoupage finishes are water-based, should I advise them not to let these boxes get wet?

3. Any tips? :)

(I've read the memories, but am looking for any other tips on timing or duration of drying between finishes, etc since it'll be done during a 2 hour period and with teenage girls from 12-16!)
Thanks so much!