Toddler Activities: Make a Mosaic Coaster

Description

Toddler Activities: Make a Coaster with Plaster of Paris. Fill a coaster mold with plaster of paris, and embed some colored craft glass, buttons or other flat decor.

Materials

• Plaster of Paris

• Plastic mold can be found at craft stores

• Container/cup and spoon or wooden disposable chopstick to mix plaster

• Colored Craft Mosaic Glass (we used Cobbles)

• Other items to consider using instead of glass: mosaic tiles, flat buttons.

• Fine grade sandpaper

Steps

• Mix plaster in container according to directions.
• Fill Mold with Plaster until a little below the top. When you press the pieces of glass into the plaster, the level of the plaster will rise slowly.
• Gently drop pieces of glass onto plaster. With tip of finger or popsicle stick gently press into the plaster until the item is level with the plaster.
• Very carefully while on a flat surface, shift the mold back and forth gently to let all the pieces settle and create as flat a surface as possible. It must be done on a flat surface and very gently or you will cover the pieces.

• Let dry for several hours for best results gently press behind the mold in a circle to loosen and then carefully pop the coaster out of the mold.

• Use your fingernail to gently scrape off excess plaster on the glass pieces if needed. If there are any rough spots in the plaster, use a small piece of very fine sandpaper.

Tips and Suggestions

• Due to the powder consistency of Plaster of Paris before adding water, handle the mixing of the powder out of reach of children. You might even consider using a face mask to prevent breathing in the powder.
• For younger children use other items like mosaic tile that may be easier to handle and monitor. With bigger pieces, fill the mold halfway or three quarters.
• Although Cobbles pieces are rounded to avoid injury, they are small pieces of glass so it must be monitored very closely.
• We tried putting in the pieces first, then pouring the plaster on top with less than ideal results. The plaster tends to surround the item and get under it. It takes a lot more work to sand it to make the pieces visible.