How to Make a Homemade Sand Casting

Sand Cast Dog

A sand casting uses sand as a way of shaping the casting material. Plaster of Paris, slip or metal is poured into a pattern in the sand. The casting material fills the pattern and hardens. Sand casting can be used to make figures of people or animals, and even buildings and household objects. You can make a small dog figurine from plaster of Paris. Learn how to make a homemade sand casting.

Things You'll Need

• Pie plate
• Sand
• Plaster of Paris
• Olive oil
• Popsicle stick
• Unsharpened Pencil
• Toothpicks
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Fill the pie plate halfway with sand. Add enough olive oil to the sand to make it stick together.

2. Press the sand down with your hand. Smooth the surface with the Popsicle stick and build up a 1/2 inch lip all around the sides of the pie plate.

3. Use the Popsicle stick to make an impression of a dog's body in the sand. Use the pencil to make the legs and head. Make fine details, like eyes and ears, with the toothpick.

4. Using the spoon, carefully fill the figure with plaster of Paris. Let the plaster of Paris set overnight.

5. Remove the figure of the dog from the sand.Brush any excess sand off your sand casting.

Tips & Warnings

• Sketch additional fine details using the toothpick. Create the look of a shaggy coat by making very fine lines on the dog's body. You can do the same on the neck and tail. Paint the finished sand casting to look like a real dog.

• Children should work with adult supervision. Protect the work surface with newspaper.

Resources

• Toys R Us plaster of Paris, crafts, and toys
• Castle Wholesalers plaster of Paris, tools, and building supplies
• Create for Less plaster of Paris, craft and hobby supplies