6 Simple Plaster of Paris Craft Ideas For Kids

Plaster of Paris is one of the easiest crafting clay to work with, especially with kids. Plaster of Paris comes in a powder form that turns into a soft, malleable mixture when mixed with water. This mixture can be used to make artifacts of your choice. It can be a great DIY project to do with kids too. Plus, once it dries, it hardens, making it a keep, a memory to cherish for long. In this article, we shall share 6 DIY Plaster of Paris crafts which are perfect for kids. Let’s get started!

How to Prepare POP (Plaster of Paris)

You need to be very careful while mixing the POP formula as it requires just the right amount of water to achieve the perfect consistency. Here, we have a few tips which you can follow while preparing POP:

• POP becomes harder very quickly, so you need to mix it with water only when you are about to use it.
• The mixing ratio of POP and water is 2:1, which means two parts of POP and one part of water.
• To prepare the mixture, add one cup of water to a large bowl wide enough to mix the POP.
• Next, add the POP powder in batches, do not add the entire powder in one go.
• Spread the powder in the container as much as possible; once you have achieved the ratio of 2:1, then you can stop adding the powder.
• Occasionally tap the bowl to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
• Use a spatula to mix the POP slowly into a fine paste with a thick consistency without any lumps. Be sure to mix it slowly and gently because vigorously mixing might create air bubbles.
• If you wish to add colour, you may mix poster colours or acrylic paint and mix it properly to eliminate lumps and avoid air bubbles.
• Once the mixture turns into a fine paste, you may wait for a minute but not more than that before pouring it into the mould.
• A word of caution: POP is a fine powder that can easily disperse into the air as dust particles, so make sure that your children are under supervision while working on POP crafts. You may also use a dust mask while mixing it.

Easy & Innovative Plaster of Paris Crafts for Kids

Working on POP crafts, along with children, can be a fun and entertaining experience. But make sure that it doesn’t become too overwhelming for the child. Here, we have chosen six easy and innovative Plaster of Paris crafts for children you may try at home!

1. Cupcake Candle Holder 

Make a super cool candle stand that you and your kids are going to love!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Sticking tape
• Candle – 2 to 4
• Water- as required for the POP mixture
• Cupcake Liners – 2 to 4
• Petroleum Jelly
• Cupcake or Muffin Tray – 1

Instructions

• First, stick the sticking tape on the bottom part of each candle.
• Take an equal number of cupcake liners (2 for two candles, 4 for four candles, etc.) an keep them on the tray.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the inside of each liner.
• Now, depending upon the number of candle holders you want to make, mix the POP along with water as per the instructions mentioned above.
• Now, pour the POP mixture into the cupcake liners until half of each liner is filled.
• Next, place a candle in the centre of a half-full cupcake liner.
• Now, hold the candle with one hand and pour some more POP mixture until the cupcake liner is filled up to the brim.
• Keep holding the candle for a few minutes until the POP is hard enough to hold the candle.
• Repeat the process for each candle.
• Once done, set aside the candle holders to dry for 20-24 hours. A
• You may use the candle stand immediately or give your little one some colour to paint it.

2. POP Colourful Ice Cubes

Enjoy making colourful ice cubes with your kids!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Drinking Straws – 8 to 10
• Water – as required for the POP mix
• Acrylic colours
• Petroleum jelly
• Large Bowl – 1
• Small bowls or disposable cups for mixing POP – 4 to 5, depending on how many colours you want to mix
• Ice trays

Instructions

• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the inside of the ice trays.
• Mix the POP along with some water till you get a lump-free smooth, thick consistency paste.
• Pour the paste in the smaller bowls or cups.
• Add different colours of your choice to each bowl/cup and mix well.
• Next, pour the coloured POP mixture into the ice tray.
• Cut the drinking straws into half and place them in each cube.
• Let it dry for 24 hours. Once dry, hold the straws and pull out the POP cubes, and your colourful POP ice cubes are ready!

3. POP Funny Characters

Wanna have some fun? Then make these fun cartoon characters with some POP!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Newspaper – 5 to 10 sheets
• Cheesecloth – 10 to 30 sheets (5*5 inch dimension), depending on the size of the craft.
• Water – as needed for the POP mixture
• Black or colourful markers

Instructions

• Make balls out of the waste newspaper per your preferred size and according to the characters your planning to make.
• Prepare the POP and water mixture, but this time add more water to make it into a batter-like consistency.
• Next, dip the cheesecloth into the POP mixture and drape it over the paper balls. Make sure you straighten the cheesecloth in length.
• Let it sit until the POP dries off.
• Once dry, use a marker to make the character of your choice on the balls.

4. POP Huts

POP houses look cute and are super-easy to make!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Small-sized Paper cups – 2 to 4
• Poster colours or acrylic paint
• Petroleum jelly
• Water – as required for the POP mixture

Instructions

• Prepare the POP mixture according to the process given above.
• Grease the paper cups with petroleum jelly.
• Pour the POP mixture into the paper cups and let them dry.
• Once dry, remove the paper cups, you may use scissors to tear it off if needed
• Place them upside down and now use paint to make doors and windows.

5. POP Leaves

Leaf impressions on POP are fun and easy to make!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Medium-sized leaves
• Poster or oil paints
• Burlap/ Canvas/ Gunny cloth – 1 medium-sized piece
• Glue
• Water
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

• Prepare the POP mixture and spread it on the burlap to form a half/ one-inch-thick bed of POP.
• Press a leaf firmly one by one all over the POP bed and let it stay until the mixture dries. You may also place it in the sun to dry.
• Once dry, remove or peel off the leaf.
• Next, paint the cast and let it dry, your beautiful POP leaves are ready!

6. POP Popsicles

Create your colourful POP Popsicles that never melt!

What you will need

• Plaster of Paris
• Popsicle moulds
• Acrylic paint
• Water
• Ice cream sticks
• Bowls for mixing
• Petroleum jelly

Instructions

• Prepare the POP mixture and pour it into different bowls. You can mix different colours in the POP mix.
• Use petroleum jelly to grease the Popsicle moulds.
• Pour the POP mixture into the Popsicle moulds and insert an ice cream stick in the centre of each mould.
• Let it dry for 24 hours.
• Once dry, remove from the Popsicle moulds, and your forever Popsicles are ready!

We hope that you would try out the above Plaster of Paris art ideas at home with children. It’s always recommended that you participate in these fun Plaster of Paris activities with kids. It will make your bond stronger with kids!

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