This post is brought to you in partnership with Witte Remodeling Co.
Does crafting at the kitchen counter with your kids sound like fun, or do you get itchy just thinking about it? Events Team member and owner of The Little Goose Celebrations Shop Nicole regularly hosts craft night and creative camps for kids, and she’s helping us bring you seasonal crafts you can do for yourself OR with your kids. Her biggest advice when crafting with your kids? Just let it happen! Make a version for yourself if you’re a perfectionist, and let the kids make their version without your, ahem, interference.
These sweet ghosts are made with, other than the plaster of Paris, things you probably already have at home. Cover the garage floor or a spot outside with newspaper/parchment paper/an old sheet if you don’t want to do this craft at your kitchen counter. Important: Do not wash the plaster of Paris leftovers down the drain or clean the container you mix in at your kitchen sink—it’s not good for your pipes! Wash it outside over permeable ground or make it in a disposable container. Using plaster of Paris instead of a glue-and-water mixture ensures that these ghosts have a firmer structure and will stand up to reuse and little hands!
Supplies:
Per ghost:
- plastic disposable cup
- foil or Styrofoam ball
- paper or plastic straw
Other supplies:
- plaster of Paris
- container to mix in + spoon
- measuring cup
- water per instructions on plaster of Paris package
- low-temperature glue gun
- craft paint
- paintbrushes
- newspaper, tissue paper, or paper towels for ghosts
- newspaper, parchment paper, etc. to cover your workspace
- plastic gloves (if you want them!)
Instructions:
- Turn the cup upside down so the bottom is now the top and set aside. Form a ball with foil (be sure to smooth it out well) or use a Styrofoam ball and attach to the top of the cup with hot glue.
- For he ghost’s arms, attach a straw to the side of the cup with hot glue. You can make the ghosts look different by adjusting how far up or down the straws attach and by varying the length on each side.
- Mix the plaster of Paris according to the instructions on the package.
- Tear paper towels, tissue paper, or newspaper into strips just longer than the ghost’s height. Use whatever paper you have on hand—but keep in mind that if it’s too glossy or very thin it will be harder to work with.
- Dip the strips into the plaster of Paris and then remove excess with your fingers. Drape the strips over the structure until your ghost is fully covered and takes its ghost-y shape.
- Allow the plaster of Paris to dry completely.
- Paint the ghosts with craft paint in whatever color you’d like. Add a ghost face.
