and baby makes 6! » Archives » Playing with plaster

We went, we saw, we did..and it was cold.

I think that the next time we go to the beach and work with plaster of paris, I will wait until it is a more comfortable 98 degrees outside….or 100.

Apparently the cooler it is outside, the slower plaster dries. We found this out…this little fact……and spent an hour doing the equivalent to watching paint dry while cold wind whipped around us after being made even colder as it blew across the water.

Ahem.

So you start off with some plaster of paris. Mix it up according to the package directions. Be sure and stir all of the lumps around. Stand up and stomp your feet and dance around to get warm because you forgot your coat.

While you are doing this, have the kids make their designs in the sand. The designs should be pretty deep. You can make hand prints, or use beach toys in various shapes to make impressions in the sand.

Now pour the plaster over the impression. Take a spoon and smooth it out. Be gentle and don’t press too hard.

Now have your child spread sand over the top of it.

Now sit there, teeth chattering, and guard the slowly drying plaster as your youngest kids go play on the beach wearing a dress and short sleeve t-shirt with shorts as all of the older folks walk by clicking their tongues. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. They will have pneumonia by the ‘morrow. Tsk, tsk, tsk.” (have I mentioned how durn chilly it was?)

When the plaster appears to be dry enough, dig around and under it, then slowly and gently lift it up…..and I mean gently. One of ours broke in half as it was not thick enough….yes, it was Cody’s. Everything happens to that poor kid.

At this point it is still not dry enough to brush all of the extra tons of sand off, so place them on the carpet of your newly vacuumed car, load up the kids and head for home.

After about an hour, brush all the extra sand off….between the finger impressions etc…..if it didn’t all end up in the car, and you will have some little, reverse hand prints.

And now my espresso has worn off and I am done with craft Friday.

Have a lovely weekend!!