Working & designing
Cast and paint plaster figures: This is how children create small works of art
The plaster is poured into a mold and can be painted once it has hardened
© Andrii Zorii / Getty Images
Millions of parents face the challenge of keeping their children occupied every day, and not just since the Corona pandemic. In addition to numerous play options, creative handicraft ideas can be implemented in the apartment, for which you only need a few ingredients. Like casting plaster figures, for example.
Before you can get started with your children, you first need all the materials from which the figures are made. And of course the corresponding molds in which the initially liquid plaster has to harden. Here you can choose between different options: Either you buy a ready-made set that already contains all the ingredients and molds for the plaster figures. Or you can get the materials and templates for the figures (e.g butterflies or dinosaur) separately from each other. A third option would be to just buy the plaster and use common household items for casting – such as ice cube trays, cookie cutters or silicone sandpit molds.
Material: This is what you need to cast plaster figures
If you choose a ready-made creative kit, it will contain the most important ingredients (including instructions). However, if you want to make the plaster figures yourself, you will need the following materials:
Another crafting tip: After you have painted the finished plaster figures and sealed them with varnish, you can make magnets out of them – for example to hang them on the fridge. All you have to do is add the following accessories: small magnets and a hot glue gun including glue.
Instructions: How to make the plaster figures
Before you start casting the plaster figures, you must mix the modeling clay in the right proportion. Observe the instructions for use on the corresponding packaging. Once you have mixed the liquid plaster, use the spoon to carefully fill it into the designated areas molds as bubble-free as possible up to the respective edge. Then let the figures dry in a warm and dry place for at least 24 to 48 hours (depending on the quantity). Only when the plaster has hardened properly can it be pressed out of the template without any problems – otherwise there is a risk that isolated areas will stick to it.
Fine-tuning: These theses are important
After you have pressed the plaster figures out of the moulds, you will most likely notice annoying corners, grooves or small bumps. However, these can be easily (and carefully!) removed with some sandpaper. Use a dry brush or a clean cloth to remove the fine dust created when smoothing the surfaces. You can then start painting the plaster figures – acrylic paints are particularly suitable here. These are then sealed with a little clear varnish to make them more durable.
A final tip: As long as the paint is not yet dry, the small works of art can be decorated with other accessories such as glitter powder be decorated.
You might also be interested in:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.