Is Plaster of Paris Safe For Kids | Plaster Of Paris Craft Ideas

Wondering whether is plaster of Paris safe for kids or not? This article has all the relevant information along with some craft ideas as well!

Plaster of Paris or POP is a non-flammable and non-combustible substance with low chemical reactivity. However, under extreme conditions, it can act as an oxidizing agent. It decomposes at high temperatures and, therefore, can generate toxic sulfur oxides. Plaster of Paris or chemically known as calcium sulfate hemihydrate may contain impurities like silica and asbestos. It is classified as a hazardous substance that can cause permanent lung damage and other ailments if anyone inhales it. Furthermore, when you mix plaster of Paris with water, it releases an exothermic reaction that can cause permanent lung damage. Knowing all these facts, you must be thinking about whether is plaster of Paris safe for kids or not! Let’s find out.

Is Plaster of Paris Safe For Kids

Plaster of Paris, if ingested can potentially obstruct the gut, especially the pyloric region of the kids, this can lead to a myriad of issues like gastric disturbances. Therefore, adult supervision is crucial while using Plaster of Paris, since kids tend to put things into their mouths. This can lead to a lot of problems and hence, it is not safe. You should only give plaster of Paris toys to kids once they are old enough to know not to put things in their mouth. Plaster of Paris is generally regarded as a safe material for routine use only under adult supervision. However, children must use it responsibly and wash their hands after playing with plaster of Paris toys.

If you supervise your kids when they play with POP toys, it can do no harm. If you indeed wish to make some of the plaster of Paris craft ideas at home for your kids, below are some fun ideas!

Plaster of Paris Craft Ideas for Kids

1. Plaster of Paris Beads

Supplies

• Different Shape Moulds
• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Drinking Straws
• Scissors
• Petroleum Jelly
• Poster Paint
• Safety Gear like Mask and Hang Gloves

Method

1. Wear your safety gloves and instruct your kids to stay away until the beads are ready.
2. Take plaster of Paris and mix it with different poster colors into multiple bowls depending on the colors of the beads you want to make.
3. Take a mould and apply petroleum jelly on its insides.
4. Now, put the mould on a sheet of wax paper.
5. Take a spoon and put the plaster of Paris into the mould.
6. Place straws into each of the mould to create a hole in the final product.
7. Let the POP dry for at least 24 hours in a place where nobody will move it.
8. Remove the straws from the shapes and tie a ribbon through them

2. Cupcake Candle Stand

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• A candle
• Sticking tape
• Cupcake wrappers
• Cupcake or muffin trays
• Petroleum jelly

Method

1. Take plaster of Paris in a bowl and add water. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly.
2. Now, put a cupcake wrapper in a muffin tray and add a bit of petroleum jelly to it.
3. Fill this tray with the POP mixture while making sure that you only fill half of each of the moulds.
4. Next, put a tape on the bottom part of a candle and place it in the center of the Plaster of Paris. Gently push it inside.
5. While holding the candle, fill the remaining half of the cupcake wrapper until it fills up till the surface.
6. Make sure you hold the candle for a few minutes until the POP is set and can take the weight of the candle on its own.
7. Set these candles aside to dry for at least a day.
8. Once they are dry, you can paint them in the desired colors.

3. DIY Leaves

Supplies

• Leaves of your choice
• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Water or oil paints
• Glue
• Paintbrushes

Method

1. Mix the plaster of Paris with the water to make a clay like consistency.
2. Now flatten the plaster of paris into flat frames. However, don’t make them too thin.
3. Take some leaves that are neither too small nor too big and press them into the fresh POP sheets.
4. Let these leaves stay for a few hours or you can place them under the sun to speed up the drying process.
5. Once the POP hardens, gently remove the leaves from it.
6. Apply glue to the POP leaves and paint them.
7. Before you start playing or teaching your kids with these leaves, make sure they are dry first.

4. Plaster of Paris Ice Cubes

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Oil paints or acrylic color
• Drinking straws
• Petroleum jelly

Method

1. Take plaster of Paris and mix it with poster colors and water into multiple bowls depending on the colors you want to have.
2. Take ice trays and apply petroleum jelly to them.
3. Now, put the plaster of Paris mixture into the ice trays.
4. Cut the straws in half and place them into each of the moulds.
5. Let it dry for at least 24 hours.
6. Once they are dry, remove the straws.

5. Sidewalk Chalk

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Empty toilet roll
• Tape
• Wax paper
• Scissors
• Acrylic color or oil paint

Method

1. Roll the wax paper and put it inside the toilet paper roll.
2. Now, cover one end of the toilet paper roll with wax paper and seal with tape.
3. Mix the plaster of Paris with water and poster colors into multiple bowls.
4. Pour the mixture of the POP into the toilet roll from the open end.
5. Gently tap the roll to even out the surface.
6. Let the POP mix dry for at least 24 hours.
7. Once the POP mix is dry, cut off the wax paper and toilet roll.
8. You can now use the chalk.

6. POP Ghosts

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Cheesecloth
• Black markers
• Newspaper

Method

1. Take the cheesecloth and cut it into 5X5 inches squares.
2. Now take a newspaper and make small balls out of it.
3. These paper balls should be of the same size as the ghosts.
4. Take the cheesecloth and dip it in the POP mix.
5. Next, drape the POP over the paper balls.
6. Make sure you straighten the fabric from the bottom.
7. Let this cloth sit for ten minutes.
8. Draw the eyes and mouth of the ghosts using the black marker.

7. ‘POP’sicles

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Ice cream sticks
• Popsicle moulds
• Acrylic or oil colors
• Bowls

Method

1. Take plaster of Paris and mix the it with water and poster colors into multiple bowls.
2. Put the petroleum jelly into the popsicle molds.
3. Now, use a spoon and pour the POP into the mould.
4. Put the ice cream stick in the center.
5. Let this POP dry for 24 hours.
6. Remove the POP from the popsicle mould once it is completely dry.

8. Funny Minions

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Oil or acrylic paints
• Paintbrushes
• Clay powder
• Googly eyes

Method

1. Mix the Plaster of Paris with water and mould this mixture into the shape of small cylinders.
2. You can do this with the help of a toilet paper roll or a PVC tube.
3. Let the POP rest for at least 24 hours.
4. Use the clay powder to make Minions’ hair and hands.
5. Color the hair as yellow and blue.
6. Once they are dry, attach them to the body.
7. Add the googly eyes after the paint dries.

9. Cup Houses

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• Paper cups – small
• Watercolors or acrylic paint
• Petroleum Jelly

Method

1. Mix the POP with water.
2. Put petroleum jelly into paper cups and pour the POP.
3. Let it dry for at least 24 hours.
4. Make sure the POP is completely dry thoroughly before taking it out.
5. Place them upside down such that the bottom part is the top or roof of the house.
6. Paint the windows and door in the house.

10. Pen Stand

Supplies

• Plaster of Paris
• Water
• A big sized balloon
• Pens

Method

1. Cut the balloon across one-fourth of the cutting.
2. Leave three-fourths of it at the bottom, which you will use as the base of the mold.
3. Mix the water and POP and pour this mixture into the balloon.
4. Let it dry for a few minutes.
5. Now poke the balloon and the structure dry for at least a day.
6. Your pen stand is ready to use.

11. Sandcasting

Supplies

• Sand
• Plaster of Paris
• Sea supplies
• Glitter

Method

1. In a sand box, dig a few holes, depending on the size of keepsake you want and the amount of plaster of paris.
2. On the walls of the hole place different sea supplies such as shells, beads etc.
3. Create a plaster of paris mix, taking 2 parts of Plaster of paris with one part cold water. Pour this mixture in the holes that you created in the sand line up with supplies.
4. Add some more decorations on the top of it. Let it dry for half an hour.
5. Carefully take it out and dust off any excess sand out of it.
6. Place it anywhere you like and it is a nice memory for a fun beach day.

You may let your kids help with these plaster of Paris craft ideas only if they follow your instructions of not ingesting the POP.