MARSHMALLOW CRAFT, FOR ALL AGES, FOOD, ENGINEERING, SCULPTURE, AND SCIENCE PROJECT, EDIBLE FUN PROJECT

CRAFTS-MARSHMALLOW  SCULPTURES

Creating marshmallow sculptures is a perfect craft for all ages from kindergarten to college and adults.


 It is not only a good fun project for art.  This craft is also an excellent project for engineering , architecture. and science groups. It is also one of the most enjoyable projects to create because you can eat the finished project. 

Materials needed- - 
 1.Large and small Marshmallows, 2, Round toothpicks, 3.Gumdrops, and any other soft candy, 4. Large paper plate.

The project is to make a sculpture using the candy.  To start I will give a large paper plate filled with marshmallows, toothpicks, and other candy to each child (make sure you give the same amount to each) The large paper plate is so the project can be carried home when finished.  To start I will give the children 4 small candies to eat and tell them they cannot eat the ones for the sculpture until they take them home.

I know most people think this is not an architecture, engineering, or science project but it really is.  It is very difficult to get these soft candies not to collapse or cave in. The child or adult has to position them so they do not lean, or fall down



                          
                                              
. They have to engineer how to reinforce with the toothpicks, how to keep the heavier candies at the bottom, etc. I suggest you try it yourself to understand how difficult it really is.

I  add to the fun and also to keep any one from eating the candies as they work by offering prizes (an extra gum drop or marshmallow) for different categories such as who can build the tallest, widest, most interesting, etc.

CRAFTS---ROCK CREATURES    

Children love be creative! Crafts that are designed and packaged so that they all look the same and use the same materials take away the fun of using the child's own imagination. 

When I present a craft project I will use a theme or a particular material or topic,  I  encourage the children to create their designs and use whatever materials they feel will enhance their own creation.

To start a project I will put all materials on the art table, give the kids a tray and tell them to pick whatever they want to work with.

CREATED BY 10 YEAR OLD

CREATED BY A 12 YEAR OLD

For the "rock creatures"  I go to a garden center and buy a bag of river rocks that are 2 to 5 inches. If you live in a rural area you can always ask the kids to bring a rock in. On my art table I will put paper, plastic, foam, and material scraps, eyes, pipe cleaners, wood shapes, yarn scraps, straws, pom poms, ribbons, and whatever else I have that might be used.  On the work tables I will place white glue for the kids to use and if they are older I will allow them to use glue guns.  Glue from the glue gun is quicker to dry and holds better than white glue which takes hours to dry. If the children are younger I will glue with the glue gun for the kids.

CREATED BY A 12 YEAR OLD

CREATED BY A 7 YEAR OLD

                                                                           

This craft is good for all ages and usually the kids take from one to two hours to complete the project.  I have used it in my kindergarten class to the summer camp I am teaching with kids ranging from 7 to 12.  All approach the project with the same enthusiasm and have sooo much excitement and fun.  

 CRAFTS---PLASTER OF PARIS  CASTS TO PAINT

When my children where young there was a plaster of paris figurine  kit that had rubber molds you filled with the plaster. When it dried the figurine would come out of the mold and the children would paint them. The kids just loved it. A few years ago I started looking for the kit for my craft classes but all I could find was a single flat plaster cast in a bag with some paint for anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 for a single object which would be much too expensive for a class of 20 to 30 kids.

   I started looking for something that I could use to make those fun molds. I went to toy stores, Michaels' and AC Moore. You could buy a mold strip that contained from 3 to 12 molds , depending on the size of the grouping. I have found pirates, cars, flowers, toys, animals, bugs, princess, etc. groupings.

                           

Often used mold

  In the same craft stores or in a hardware store you can buy a small container or a larger bag of plaster of paris for just a few dollars that will yield up to 50 or more plaster casts for the kids to paint.  It is easy but messy to make. I try to do it outside but have made them inside too. Make sure you use newspaper or plastic under the molds while you work to contain the spills.

  I use a small container, or a larger 10 oz disposable cup to make small batches, You have only about 3 minutes to mix the plaster before it starts to set. Put water in the cup first and then add plaster a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent blobs of unmixed plaster. You are ready to pour when the plaster has the consistency of a milkshake or thin cake batter. It will begin to harden quickly. I usually do at least 3 or four strips at a time. Let the plaster cool, if it feels warm they are not ready to come out. Pop them out, and start again. I usually make over 50 to 100 casts at a time because the kids will want more than one or two.

 

This has been a favorite project at my craft classes or summer camps. Age does not matter as 4 year old's to 15 year old's love to paint them, but chose your subject matter carefully and adjust to the ages and genders you are working with.