Erin DeCarlo is a passionate greeting card maker and business owner who specializes in making handmade paper crafts and home decor. She has been selling handmade greeting cards and gifts on Etsy and at local shops for the past nine years. She now also runs a blog called Pattern and Paste, helping others learn crafting skills and DIY techniques. Read Erin DeCarlo’s full bio
Harshita has a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce and a Post Graduate Diploma in Patent and Copyright Law from NALSAR University. She has also studied Auditing and has over three years of internship experience in the audit field. She loves to travel and has visited many countries around the world, and travel writing has inspired her to write. Read the full bio of Harshita Makwana
Deepa Rachel Thomas holds a Masters degree in English from the University of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad. She has completed a certificate course in child development and worked as a preschool mentor for an NGO that helps children develop language and communication skills. Read Deepa Thomas’s full bio
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This smooth, flexible mixture can be molded into any shape. If you leave the formed plaster block to dry for a while, it will harden!
Plaster of Paris! Also known as POP, it is one of the most flexible raw materials that you and your kids can use to create beautiful crafts, jewelry, and sculptures. Pop can also be used for educational purposes.
You need to add the right amount of water to get the right consistency and keep it together when molding. Here are some tips to keep in mind when mixing POP.
Sounds like a daunting task, right? Well, once you get the hang of it, it’s not that difficult. However, keep in mind that plaster is an extremely fine powder that can quickly disperse into the air as dust. Always be close to your children to ensure their safety while they are making these plaster crafts.
When working with plaster, carefully supervise children to ensure they take safety precautions during the process. Always ensure there is adequate ventilation in the work area. It is also important to wear gloves to prevent skin irritation. Also, while mixing, use a respirator to avoid inhaling the powder. Free Worksheets and Printables for Kids Select a Grade Pre-K Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Select a Subject English Language Arts Math Science Social Studies Search & Download
We have selected these crafts based on children’s patience, cognitive abilities, and hand-eye coordination.
If you want to make an impression, using POP ads is one of the best options. In this tutorial, we will show you how to make leaves using plaster.
Another way to create plaster figures is to use a designer ice mold. These ice molds allow you to make a variety of plastic crafts that can be used as gifts for children or to raise money for charity!
Chalk is probably the easiest thing to make with POP. You can add color if you want or just leave it white.
Alternatives to plaster include papier-mâché, self-hardening clay, air-blown clay, and plaster-based casting compounds. These materials are often used in craft and art projects, and can be molded and sculpted while wet, then harden over time.
When used correctly, gypsum is non-toxic, but can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled in large quantities. Therefore, children should be supervised when handling gypsum, and their hands should be washed thoroughly after contact. They should also avoid using large amounts of POPs powder, which can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation if inhaled (1).
Participating in making plaster crafts promotes sensory exploration and hands-on learning. It also increases their self-esteem, creativity, patience and persistence, and artistic expression. Therefore, plaster crafts are a good choice for children when they are bored.
When doing arts and crafts, your child will be handling pencils, crayons, chalks, and paintbrushes; these movements help develop fine motor skills. These skills will allow them to make controlled movements needed for tasks such as writing (2).
5. Are there any special care and storage tips for long-term preservation of plaster art?
To preserve your plaster artwork for a long time, handle it with care, avoid exposure to high temperatures and moisture, dust it regularly, apply a protective coating that repels moisture and dust, and store it in a sturdy box or container.
Involving children in hands-on plaster crafts is a cost-effective and creative way to spark their imagination and encourage them to explore their creative side. Mixing and setting the materials may be a bit challenging for children at first. But once children learn how to figure out how to mold on their own, they will have a lot of fun finding molding ideas and letting them cut and mold with POP clay. The props needed to make these crafts are also not too expensive. These crafts can be used as home decorations or as gifts for friends and cousins.
Plaster of paris (POP) is a popular, quick-drying material that can be used for a variety of crafts, from decorative objects to moldings. However, it can be tricky to get the right consistency when mixing. Check out the step-by-step instructions for mixing POP in the infographic below to help your kids get ready for crafts and activities.
Inspire the artist in your child. This educational video from Tate Kids shows you how to create stunning plaster sculptures. Learn step-by-step techniques and unleash your creativity with this fun and educational lesson.
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