The experience of casting an object is magical. Pouring a liquid into a receptacle, waiting for it to harden up and then revealing the metamorphosed object is a powerful thing- and kids can partake.
My super excellent husband, Christian, made a mold from a recipe he found online, and he pours cement into it to make baby head sculptures. He invited Fen to join him on a baby head pouring adventure with him in the back yard, and she happily complied. I clicked away madly and I think I captured every stage of the pouring and unveiling process.
Casting materials- all set up on tiny plastic picnic bench
Figuring out how the mold fits is a fun puzzle
Digging into the cement bucket
The work crew- preparing for the big moment
Clamping the mold tight- kids can handle these squeeze clamps
Look! a tree hole. I was distracted, but just for a moment.
Cement-pouring is easier with two people
After waiting for it to set up (patience!), and changing into a lovely frock, you may gently pry the mold apart
Opening the mold and seeing this weird object was pretty exciting!
That’s the look of pure satisfaction
During the writing of this post, I kept wondering how I could adapt this experience into a project for kids whose dads don’t happen to enjoy pouring molds. So I think I will have to do a plaster mask-making post soon. Have you done this? It offers the same exciting outcome for kids, with the added twist of it being their face they end up with!
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That looks fun. What does Christian do with the baby heads? How do you attach the two pieces?
PragmaticMom recently posted…Summer Reading Lists for Kids
They must be heavy! I think that even if you don’t come up with a kids casting project, I think it is cool for kids just to help Dad with his project!
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Jeramy and I keep talking about getting into mold making. We both have loads of ideas. Mine would be for making jewelry, his for custom game pieces and sculptures.
The plaster mask thing I used to do all the time when I was younger. I also did my foot once.
So much fun.
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Tree hole… You make me laugh. Thank you.