Plaster of paris is a safe and easy-to-use material that can be molded into any number of craft projects. The plaster can be tinted with paints while wet or painted after it's dry, and it can be carved and sanded into sculptural shapes. It's a child-friendly material, but an adult should make the basic mixture.
Basic Mixture
You'll need plaster of paris, a large plastic container, a stirrer and disposable gloves. Working outside if possible, mix the plaster in a small amount of water in a disposable container, such as a yogurt or cottage cheese tub. Do not handle the plaster with bare hands. Experiment with proportions; the mixture should be pourable but not too runny. This will be the basic ingredient for your crafts.
Sidewalk Chalk
Collect small paper cups, egg cartons or cardboard tubes. If you use tubes (such as toilet paper rollers), reinforce them with duct tape. Pour the plaster mixture in the containers and add a different color of tempera paint to each cup. Stir to mix and let them dry. The chalks will harden enough to use in about half an hour, although they will continue to dry for a day or so.
Handprint Plaque
Pour the plaster mixture into an aluminum pie plate, plastic lid or other flat container. Press your hand into the plaster to make a print. Be sure to wash your hand right away, because plaster of paris is harsh to the skin. Before the mixture hardens completely, make a hanging hole with a straw or push a large paper clip in the top to make a hanger. Remove the plaque from the pan after about 20 minutes. You can then paint it or decorate it with markers.
Candy Mold Decorations
Candy molds come in all kinds of shapes, such as stars, autumn leaves, wreaths and snowmen. Use these molds to make plaster decorations for your holiday table, for your Christmas tree, or to hang on your door. Follow the instructions for the handprint plaque, and paint them when they're dry.
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