Make your own sidewalk chalk out of plaster of Paris.
Plaster of Paris, also known as gypsum plaster, is a material used for building and other purposes. It's made by heating gypsum to around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. This dry substance can be mixed with water to return it to its gypsum consistency and then be used as a type of cement or mortar useful for a variety of interesting activities.
Sidewalk Chalk
Make your own sidewalk chalk using plaster of Paris. An empty toilet paper roll or an empty egg crate, duct tape, paint and water are the only ingredients you need. Pour dry plaster of Paris into a disposable plastic bowl and add enough water to make a thick and creamy liquid. Immediately add a few drops of tempera paint of the desired color to the plaster and stir it thoroughly to get an even, smooth color. Pour the plaster into the egg crate or into a toilet paper roll reinforced with duct tape to serve as a mold. The plaster will harden in around a half-hour. It may take up to 24 hours for the plaster to completely dry, but the new chalk can be removed from the molds in about a half hour for immediate use.
Preserve The Prints
Sometimes it's difficult to remember how little your children used to be. One way to preserve that memory is to make hand and footprints in plaster of Paris. Just mix dry plaster with enough water to get a thick and creamy consistency and pour about an inch of the liquid into a paper plate. Allow the plaster to stiffen for about two minutes and then have your child place his hand or foot into the plaster. Gently press the hand or foot into the plaster, but not all the way to the bottom of the plate. Hold still for one to two minutes and gently remove. The imprint should remain. Allow the mold to dry overnight and then peel off the plate. This keepsake can be put into a shadow box or hung directly on a wall.
Make A Fossil
Plaster of Paris can be used interactively to teach about fossils. Mix dry plaster with water until it is the consistency of a thick soup. Allow the plaster to become firm in a shallow dish for about a minute or two and then place the desired object into the plaster. Fossils can be anything from leaves to shells to bones. After a few minutes the item can be removed from the dish and the impression of the object will remain embedded into the plaster. Once the plaster hardens completely you will have a quick example of a fossil.
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