Beach Project: Sand Cast Hands

While enjoying a beautiful day at Kits Beach, Colin, Jayden and I met my cousin Brad, his family and their friends for a picnic last weekend. I brought along a tub of plaster of paris thinking Brad & Ali's girls, Maddy & Kenzie would be game for a little sand crafting. Turns out they were!

After digging down to expose the soft wet sand, we each made a 2 inch deep hand print in the sand to serve as our molds. We collected shells and sea glass to decorate them, being careful to place the side we wanted up, face down in the sand. Be careful to place the shells gently (not pressed into the sand) so the plaster can pick up the design.

We mixed 2 cups plaster of paris with one cup sea water and the result was a perfect mixture that set in 30 minutes (although the longer you leave it the better, they are very fragile). Note: After removing your cast from the sand, leave it in the sun to dry out until you leave then place it in a towel or sweater and wrap it up carefully. It will take 24 hours to fully cure.

Here's how mine turned out! So cool! We also made various turtles and star fish from inverted sand toys, but I let the girls take those ones home. Fun!